As you begin your filmmaking career, unions will not really be much of a concern. For the most part, you will do all your hiring of actors and crew members from non-union members. However, after you have successfully completed a couple of films and made some money, you will most certainly need to start hiring union member actors and crew.
There are many unions affiliated with this industry including local ones. Here is a short list of a few you may encounter when embarking on your filmmaking career.
ACTRA
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Radio Artists is obviously a Canadian union. It's the sister union of the US based AFTRA. This is an actor's alliance, including performers in film, television and radio. As well as voice over artists, puppeteers, stunt performers, dancers and background performers.
This union was founded in 1943 to promote as well as protect its members. They negotiate wages for the actor's as well as benefits such as medical and dental and even retirement benefits with one particular branch.
ACTRA has their own awards ceremony to honor their performers much like the Academy Awards.
The requirements for membership include a onetime initiation fee of $75, plus a $75 annual fee. In addition, the actor must have had at least one speaking role in a film or television production, however this rule does not apply to background performers as they o not typically have a speaking role.
AFTRA
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is based in the United States and like ACTRA, protects their members by negotiating wages, working conditions and benefits.
AFTRA represents Actors, Journalists and anyone working in the media and entertainment industries.
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
This is the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. It represents Television and Multimedia companies. They manage labor agreements, taxation, trade, copyright, broadcasting and film.
This union also trains young people about the industry and how to compete in it. This union is mostly for independent producers and production companies.
Directors Guild of America/Canada
This union represents Directors in both Canada and the United States. Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates are also included.
Like with the others, they negotiate wages and working conditions of Directors in Film, Television, Stage, Media, Broadcasting and any form of production.
This union has evolved into a worldwide union from its humble beginnings in 1934 with only 100 members.
SAG
Screen Actors Guild union is probably one of the most well known of the unions. Founded in 1933, this union has stood up for actors back when the studios held control over contracts of their actors. Helping actors break free of long term contracts that didn't benefit them and making sure they were treated well.
The main reason for founding this union was that at the time, studios and producers held actors contracts and forced them to work excessively long hours. In addition, many of these contracts controlled the actors lives, including their personal lives.
This union has stood the test of time and is well noted for its best to protect its members. It was founded by a group of 21 actors who felt their rights were being violated.
In order to become a member, you must apply and have had at least one speaking role.
WGA/WGC
Known as the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild Of Canada, these unions represent 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.
Members are offered training programs and resources and novel authors and screenwriters can register their work with the union in order to protect it from theft and plagiarism.
Many unions are also available for those in theatre, projectionists, camera operators and post production. The best way to ensure you are choosing the right union for you is to do some thorough research.
There are many unions affiliated with this industry including local ones. Here is a short list of a few you may encounter when embarking on your filmmaking career.
ACTRA
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Radio Artists is obviously a Canadian union. It's the sister union of the US based AFTRA. This is an actor's alliance, including performers in film, television and radio. As well as voice over artists, puppeteers, stunt performers, dancers and background performers.
This union was founded in 1943 to promote as well as protect its members. They negotiate wages for the actor's as well as benefits such as medical and dental and even retirement benefits with one particular branch.
ACTRA has their own awards ceremony to honor their performers much like the Academy Awards.
The requirements for membership include a onetime initiation fee of $75, plus a $75 annual fee. In addition, the actor must have had at least one speaking role in a film or television production, however this rule does not apply to background performers as they o not typically have a speaking role.
AFTRA
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is based in the United States and like ACTRA, protects their members by negotiating wages, working conditions and benefits.
AFTRA represents Actors, Journalists and anyone working in the media and entertainment industries.
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
This is the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. It represents Television and Multimedia companies. They manage labor agreements, taxation, trade, copyright, broadcasting and film.
This union also trains young people about the industry and how to compete in it. This union is mostly for independent producers and production companies.
Directors Guild of America/Canada
This union represents Directors in both Canada and the United States. Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates are also included.
Like with the others, they negotiate wages and working conditions of Directors in Film, Television, Stage, Media, Broadcasting and any form of production.
This union has evolved into a worldwide union from its humble beginnings in 1934 with only 100 members.
SAG
Screen Actors Guild union is probably one of the most well known of the unions. Founded in 1933, this union has stood up for actors back when the studios held control over contracts of their actors. Helping actors break free of long term contracts that didn't benefit them and making sure they were treated well.
The main reason for founding this union was that at the time, studios and producers held actors contracts and forced them to work excessively long hours. In addition, many of these contracts controlled the actors lives, including their personal lives.
This union has stood the test of time and is well noted for its best to protect its members. It was founded by a group of 21 actors who felt their rights were being violated.
In order to become a member, you must apply and have had at least one speaking role.
WGA/WGC
Known as the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild Of Canada, these unions represent 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.
Members are offered training programs and resources and novel authors and screenwriters can register their work with the union in order to protect it from theft and plagiarism.
Many unions are also available for those in theatre, projectionists, camera operators and post production. The best way to ensure you are choosing the right union for you is to do some thorough research.
About the Author:
An independent filmmaker and reputable writer, Marcy Burlock loves to share her knowledge with others. You can find her articles about Filmmaking Basics and Movie Casting Director on Clivir.com.
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