Why is a union important for a media performer?

Requirements to compete

• Stage = AEAYou need credits on a ResumeYou need hours on the boards to be competitive.

Media = AFTRA/SAG The right look. No experience really, able to take

direction in an audition and show up and on time.

Quality or Quantity ?

Union (Scale)Payment in 30 daysHealth insuranceRetirement ResidualsLate feesArbitration (free)

Non-unionNo contract:Buyout fee no residualsNo payment enforcementNo control of usage

LA or NY?

While you’re here, AFTRA is your “tool” to being a professional immediately.

1 year AFTRA =

SAG & AEA

But there’s no work in Ohio…

Some of the largest Corporations locate in Ohio(…this is only Hamilton County)

Procter & GambleKroger CompanyMacy’sFifth Third BancorpWestern & Southern FinancialChiquita Brands InternationalCincinnati Bell HeadquartersAmerican Financial Group Inc.Western & Southern Financial GroupCintas Corporation Corporate OfficeUniversity of Cincinnati HeadquartersMercy Health PartnersCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterTri-HealthFrisch's Restaurants Inc.

But …My resume is too short.

Who are the players?

Agent

Product

Producer

Client

Ad Agency

Talent

Production team

Post production

Casting

They go to great lengths to find the right talent.

The casting director sees hundreds of actors.

You are called back for the producer and director.

Your tape is approved by the Ad Agency.

Your tapes are sometimes even viewed by paid focus groups.

Your audition tape is played for the client (and his mother) before you get the part.

If you’re good enough to book you’re good enough to get paid.

Dirty little secret….

• Some Employers and Agents can take advantage of you if

you let them.• Charge client your rate

Pay you less (just this once)Pocket the difference.

• Once you to work for less they will expect it in the future.

• They tell you you’ll get more work NON-UNION. (They may be right)

Misconceptions:

Doing work for free will build your Resume and make you a better actor.

Employers

They won’t hire union to be “nice”

They will hire union if they have to.

Employers don’t realize

• Your work is not 9-5 and steady so they pay you to be available and serious about the work.

• Buyouts hurt your chances for future bookings

• Like employers, actors should receive health care and retire with a pension like everyone else.

Employers expect exclusivity

And own your image.

Without a contract, you end up giving awayyour only commodity…your image.

forever

They will tell you

• Union “scale” is too expensive• You will work more non-union

Time is Money

Work on script (Copy) 1/2 hourAudition 2 hoursCall back 2 hoursShoot day 8 hours

Total= 12.5 hours

On Camera (Day Player)$300 SCALE

Local Rates: 1 week, 4 week, 13 week, 1 year.

$300 ÷ 12.5 hours = $24.00 an hour

Time is Money

4 auditions a week 3 call backs with no booking = 31 hours @ ($0)

As an actor you make:A WHOPPING

77¢ an hour

On Camera (Day Player)$300 SCALE

Unions:

FederationsAssociations

Guilds

AFTRA- Your Voice inMusic,, Entertainment and

News & Information-Your Union

ACTORS’EQUITYAssociation

One year after working as a principle performer under AFTRA

makes you SAG and Equity Eligible AFTRA- Your Voice inMusic,, Entertainment and

News & Information-Your Union

AFTRA is an open unionNew members must complete an application and pay a one-time

initiation fee and dues for the current dues period. The initiation fee is

$1,600 minimum dues are based on earnings.

Locally: $850 AdultsHalf for Children 12 and under

AFTRA

Representing over 45,000 American actors and stage managers working in the professional theatre.

Initiation Fee $1100

1.) Equity Contract You may join the Association by virtue of employment under an Equity contract.

2.) Eligibility Applicants must be members in good standing of the sister union for at least one year, and must have worked as a performer under the union's jurisdiction or three extra contracts in that unions' jurisdiction.

3.) Equity Membership Candidate Program (EMC) 50 weeks of EMC work at participating theatres.

AEA

SAG

Initiation Fee $2,211Television/Feature Films/Commercials/Industrials

A performer becomes eligible for Screen Actors Guild membership under one of the following two conditions: proof of SAG employment or employment under an affiliated performers union. Dues are based

on earnings.

How do you “stand with” your competition?

Unite!

Leverage your collective power

Now you know

• You have the right to earn a fair rate for your work.

• You have a right to stand with other actors in a union and organize through collective bargaining.

• You deserve respect for providing a valuable service.

• It’s okay to make money.

Just one question

What would this presentation be…

Without them?