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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Moving from Non-union to Union gigs

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Expert: - 9/12/2008


Question
Hello-

I am an experienced reality TV Cameraman wanting to get into the union scene but I am at a loss on how 1)make the necessary contacts and 2)make the transition without making a substantial step down.

Answer
Ezra,

Thanks for writing. I'm not sure if you're referring to experience as a film cameraman or as a videotape/digital cameraman as television shows are shot in both mediums.

Regardless, the unions DO take in non-union members from time to time. What I would do is contact your Union camera local in your area and ask them what is required of you to join the union. My guess is that it will be something like 400 days of non-union camera work. You'd need to be able to show the callsheets, production reports, and pay stubs of your employment on these 400 days as proof of your actual employment. They may also ask for the names and contact numbers of the production companies that hired you to verify your employment. Assuming you meet their requirements, they will most likely allow you to join the union.

But remember, being a member of a union does not guarantee in any way an increase in employment.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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