From The Rock

Starting out in filmmaking does not produce much cash, so initially; you will hire your actors and crew from non union members. However, once you have completed a few films and begin to make money, it will be more lucrative to make the transition into hiring union members.

There are many unions, even more local ones, ranging from Directors to Projectionists. Here are just a few of the unions you might be faced with in your filmmaking career.

ACTRA

This Canadian union represents artists in film, television and radio. The letters stand for The Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Radio Artists and it is a sister union to the one in the United States. This union also covers puppeteers, stunt performers, dancers, background performers and voice over artists.

The union was founded in 1943 and works to promote the performer as well as protect their rights while on the job. Like any union, they negotiate the minimum wage an actor will make on set, what kind of dental and medical benefits and insurance the actor can receive. They also have retirement benefits under one branch.

Just like the Academy Awards, ACTRA hosts an annual event to honor its members.

In order to gain membership with ACTRA an actor has to have had a speaking role in a film or TV production. This does not include Background performers as they usually don’t speak in their roles. There are membership dues of $75 a year, plus a $75 initiation fee.

AFTRA

Based solely in the US, this union negotiates wages, benefits and working conditions for its members.

This union represents Actors, Journalists, and any artist working in the media and entertainment industry.

Founded in 1930, this makes AFTRA one of the oldest unions in the United States. In 1937, it began including radio artists and has now evolved to include negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild or SAG.

CFTPA

A Canadian based union, CFTPA or the Canadian Film and Television Production Association works to negotiate labor agreements, taxation, copyrights, broadcast and film and trade. Its main job is to represent television and multimedia companies.

Focused mainly on independent producers and production companies, CFTPA also trains young people on the ins and outs of the industry as well as how to compete in it.

Directors Guild of America/Canada

The main focus of this union is on representing Directors, Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates in both Canada and the United States.

Like with the others, they negotiate wages and working conditions of Directors in Film, Television, Stage, Media, Broadcasting and any form of production.

Founded in 1934 with only 100 Directors at the time, it has evolved into a large worldwide union.

SAG

SAG or the Screen Actors Guild was founded in 1933 when Directors controlled actors contracts. These contracts were unbearably long term and generally did not benefit the actors. SAG stepped in to release actors from these contracts as well as make sure the actors were treated fairly.

This union was founded because at the time, actors worked incredibly long hours with no restrictions. Studios themselves and producers held contracts on these actors which basically controlled the actors entire life, including their personal.

Amazingly, 21 actors working in these unbearable conditions got together to form this union in order to ensure fair working conditions for their fellow actors. To date, this union is one of the oldest and has stood the test of time with a reputation for taking good care of its members.

In order to become a member, you must apply and have had at least one speaking role.

WGA/WGC

Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of Canada, promote writers in the film and television industry, media, CD-ROM, movies and news broadcasts.

The unions purpose is to negotiate contracts for its members and then enforce them with producers and directors. They also ensure their members receive medical and dental benefits in their contracts as well as residual pay for all screenwriters.

Every member is offered training and resources as well as the opportunity for novel writers and screenwriters to register their work with the union in order to protect it from plagiarism and theft.

There are thousands of unions available for anyone in the career path of theatre, projectionists, camera operators and post production. The best thing you can do is to do research in order to find the best union for you and your career.