How do you know which union you belong in?

Question

I've heard so many unions and I have no idea what they are. For example: AFTRA, SAC, NON-UNION,etc. What are they for and how do I find out which group I belong in?

Answer 1

Theatre Doc is wrong. Anyone can walk in off the street and join AFTRA. Also, AFTRA is not only for soaps. AFTRA also has jurisdiction over many Sitcoms, news/sports/weather broadcasts, radio, sound recordings, talk shows, variety shows, documentaries, game shows, and various multimedia broadcasts. Once you obtain a principal role (speaking, stunts, dancing or singing), then you are "eligible" to join the other unions. But only after you have been a paid-up member of AFTRA for one year. One more thing... AGVA is the American Guild of Variety Artists and has jurisdiction over magicians, puppeteers, jugglers, etc.

Also JustJoni is wrong. AFTRA has NOT, I repeat NOT joined with SAG in any way shape or form. The ONLY requirement to join is the initiation fees.

I have been a member of SAG and AFTRA for over 23 years, and am currently serving on several SAG Commitees.

I also have seen that NYGal in here telling people that anyone can join SAG in "right to work states". This is flat out rotten information. The same rules to join SAG apply to ALL states.

Answer 2

AFTRA stands for American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and covers TV and Radio - mostly. SAG is the Screen Actors Guide and covers film and some TV, depends on the contract established. You need to be a member to audtion for SAG and AFTRA jobs, so you have to join (which is expensive) and to join you have to have a SAG or AFTRA job/contract. Yes, this is a paradox and "catch 22". Unfortunate but true. You used to be able to join AFTRA if you had the money for the dues, but they've joined sort-of with SAG and that is no longer possible. How do you get a union card - well that's the rub, you audition for non-union jobs at first.
Non-Union is just that, non-union and anyone can audition for these jobs, so when you are just beginning this is your best road. Hopefully you will be seen in a non-union piece by someone who will pave the way for you to get a union job with no card and thus you will be able to acquire one. And it does happen, actually quite often.
Hope this helps - good luck

Answer 3

From what I hear from insiders they are all the same today.

SAG covers filmed movies and TV, AFTRA video and Equity live stage.

In Los Angeles at SAG card buy in is $2,000+ one payment certified check or money order.

Answer 4

Give oncameratalent the ten points -- she knows her stuff!

The only thing I can add is one more performing union -- AGMA, the American Guild of Musical Artists, which covers opera, concert, and dance artists. I used my AGMA membership to facilitate joining Actors' Equity. For the longest time, Equity had required minimums one had to make in a sister union, and my annual contracts with my home opera company were always short -- sometimes only a few dollars, but Equity wouldn't cut me any slack. Still, it was nice to not have to deal with the whole "Equity candidate" rigmarole that used to be prevalent [and may still be -- I haven't done an Equity project in several years].

Oh, and just to be thorough, there's also the musician's union, formally known as AFM -- the American Federation of Musicians, which covers symphony/opera orchestras and theatre pit orchestras. It's extremely easy to join, but getting to work requires an audition [symphony/opera orchestras], or making yourself and your talents known to local contractors for theatre orchestras.

Answer 5

you don't belong to any union until you qualify for it and pay the initiation fee and dues--a lot of money. so you are non-union. Aftra is for soaps, SAG for movies and tv and commercials, and Equity for stage. Once you are in one union, you can join them all if you want to or need to.