Do you need to be a Union actor to get good jobs?

Question

I am soo interested in acting. im fairly new but amazingly dedicated. i recently got talent scouted but i did a background check on them and turns out their not as legit as they say. i really want to start this exciting career not to be famous or something stupid like that, but just because i love it and i want to be apart of that life because i know its who i am. i want to get an agent, but i really need some help on how to get started and everything. and i also wanted to know a little bit about actors unions. does everyone on tv (like disney channel and other networks) apart of a union? im still just a teenager, but this is my life. please help me.

Answer 1

You don't need to be in a Union to get a job acting. But as soon as you have an acting role, you are eligable to join a union.

Answer 2

In answer to your question, no you do not have to be a member of any union to get an acting job. In fact some of the best roles are in independant films and productions now-a-days. However on the other side of that question, almost every principal actor on a television show or in a major film are members of either AFTRA or SAG. However being a member of either union guarantees you nothing as far as getting a job. That part is still entirely up to you. The unions are there to help negotiate pay rates, working conditions and things of that nature.

As far as getting an agent, same thing still applies here. The agent does not get you work. They MAY be able to get you an audition but your talent and performance still gets you the job. In the beginning, when your just starting out, forget about an agent. You can do everything they do for yourself and save 10% on the checks you do make.

Answer 3

A good place to start at your age is on the local theatre level. When you get a good role, you can always invite an agent to attend. The training process is the most important aspect for you right now, as you gain experience and build credits. So take classes, and try to participate in theatre in your area.


Don't worry about the unions right now. Joining too soon can actually prevent you from taking roles in student films and independent productions, which are a great way of getting exposure.

As someone else mentioned, you never pay an agent. An agent only gets paid after you've booked a job through their agency. They would take a cut of your paycheck from that job.

Answer 4

Alex B has the right of it. Agent? Save that for when you start making money and have to have someone negotiate contracts and keep track of conflicts for the commercials you do. So you are just a teenager? If you are under 18 you must let anyone who pays for your performance know your age, otherwise, who cares? It's about your looking the age of the character that counts. Something to remember, though. Don't forget to live. Too many people focus on the skills of pretense and forget that reality is the bedrock of all of this pretending. You need to know yourself more than most people know themselves, or care to, to be able to convincingly perform a character. If you don't live, you will have nothing to base your performances on. So be a teenager, then a fledgling adult and so on and so on and rejoice in these things. The better human you are, the better actor you will be.

Answer 5

NEVER pay anyone upfront $ to be an agent : agents get a percentage of what you earn.

NEVER pay upfront for ANYTHING!

With the possible exception of Headshots

VERY IMPORTANT!!! Learn a trade.

This business is tough. You will most likely not succeed. Be prepared to fail. Your drive and talent is not a guarantee....nothing is.

Work, suffer for your dreams, be good, I mean really good, and Cider will be wiping a tear from aged eyes whilst you clutch that statuette.

Always have a Fallback.

Answer 6

Start in your city. Call the Community Theater and ask if you can volunteer.

Look in your daily newspaper, they sometimes announce when movies are being filmed in certain parts of the USA.