What Are Non-Union and Union? Help me?

Question

I don't know what non-union and union means. I landed a job in a movie that is union, and I heard somewhere that I can't be in a non-union film, since I'm already doing a union movie. So I don't know, its confusing, I don't really know what those words means. And which one is better? Help? Oh and please explain it in an EASY way. Some of you guys tend to talk all smart-like and I'm really dumb so I wouldn't understand. so yeah, help me please?

Answer 1

Screen Actors Guild is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists' rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 working actors in film, television, industrials, commercials, video games, music videos and other new media. The Guild exists to enhance actors' working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists' rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO.


You must be in SAG to work on films, television, and commercials. Once in SAG , you cannot work on non-union productions. But non-union productions are low-budget films and shows that you don't even make it to theaters or on network tv. Usually cheap infomercials and local small-market commercials, and there is little or no pay and no-residuals (paments for re-runs)

AFTRA is the union that has jurisdiction on soaps and many sitcoms as well as some commercials. You must be a member of AFTRA to work on these shows. Anyone can walk in and join AFTRA ( for $1,300), but SAG has strict requirements + $2,335 to join.

The exception is that you actually can work on a SAG or AFTRA production, but you become a "must join" 30 days from when you first work on a union production.

Here is the requirements to join SAG:

1. Proof of Employment

a. Principal Performer Employment Performers may join SAG upon proof of employment. Employment must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial. Proof of such employment may be in the form of a signed contract, or original pay stubs. The document proving employment must provide the following information:
— applicant’s name
— applicant’s Social Security number
— name of the production or name of the commercial (product name)
— the salary paid (in dollar amount)
— the specific date(s) worked.

b. Background Actors may join SAG upon proof of employment as a SAG–covered background player at full SAG rates and conditions for a MINIMUM of three work days subsequent to March 25, 1990. Employment must be by a company signed to a SAG Agreement under which the Producer is required to cover background actors. Proof of employment must be in the form of original paystubs or a payroll printout faxed from the payroll house. Such documents must provide the same information (name, Social Security number, etc.) as listed above.

2. Employment Under an Affiliated Performers' Union
Performers may join SAG if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers' union (ACTRA, AEA, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.

Answer 2

If it is a union film it is done with the cooperation of the Screen Actor's Guild which sets rates of pay and working conditions. If you have a speaking part you will be pain by the union scale. You must then join SAG within a short period of time after your work is complete or you cannot do another SAG film You wouldn't want to do a non union film anyway, they don't pay as well, if anything and they can make you work unreasonable hours. so join if you meet the above conditions. If you are an extra in a union film, it doesn't mean much and it does not qualify you for SAG.

Answer 3

A union is a group of people that represents' the workers' interests for a corporation or organization. Unions can be good or bad, and I've seen my fair share of both. If you're union, then that means that you have to be part of whatever union represents the workers in that company (usually), although being union is not always compulsory. It sounds like in your situation it is. This means that you cannot be in a film that is run by a company that DOESN'T have a union to represent its employees.

I hope that's fairly simple. Some people will tell you unions are God's gift to the working man. some people will tell you that they are horrible and have no place in society. I say make the decision for yourself and see how they represent you and your interests.

Answer 4

In films and theatre Union means that the producer has a contract to use only union actors (SAG and Equity). He also promises to pay certain minimum amounts, follow work rules etc.

For the actors it means that you must join the union and pay dues. Equity and SAG actors can act in non-union roles with permission, although I've seen lots of Equity actors in non-union theatres. The rules are often ignored as long you you pay your dues on time...