Finally Joining IA 600 - advice?

Steven Parker · July 10, 2007

Hello All-

I have finally qualified for membership in the Intl Cinematographer's Guild as a DP and was hoping some of you could share some advice or anecdotes about making the jump from indie/low budget features to the studio/network world.

I guess I'm a bit nervous about stepping up - I have few contacts in the union realm, my credits are pretty unrecognizable, etc. I will be recutting my reel soon, chasing an agent and so forth but I'm hoping some of you who've made the jump can talk about things both good and bad to watch out for.

I'm based in LA but any advice from anywhere is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

David Mullen ASC · July 10, 2007

Since you can still work on non-union films, there isn't much downside to joining other than the high price and the need to maintain your hours to qualify for access to the healthcare plan, which sort of becomes a constant worry unfortunately.

The upside is that your rate will probably go up, you'll get paid for overtime, you pay into a pension and heathcare plan, you have somewhere to go with grievences about poor working conditions.

But because of the high cost of joining, I didn't join until it was clear that I was going to be up for union jobs.

Steven Parker · July 11, 2007

Thanks, David. I had heard the medical/pension days could be tough... but I've been w/out insurance for so long just the OPTION to qualify is great.

BTW, check your RedUser mailbox :rolleyes:

Chris Keth · July 12, 2007

Thanks, David. I had heard the medical/pension days could be tough... but I've been w/out insurance for so long just the OPTION to qualify is great.

BTW, check your RedUser mailbox :rolleyes:

What are the requirements for joining? That will be a concern of mine in the fairly near future, though I'll probably be joining as an AC.

Paul Maibaum ASC · July 12, 2007

Call the union! 323-876-0160.

Steven Parker · July 12, 2007

What are the requirements for joining? That will be a concern of mine in the fairly near future, though I'll probably be joining as an AC.

In Los Angeles, I had to prove 100 days of paid non-union work (as a DP) within three years. I got accepted with little fuss, so I count myself as lucky - and honored, quite frankly. If you're getting permitted union days, I think it's 30 days within one year.

As Paul mentions above, you should call the Guild and ask about specifics, especially if you're outside LA. If you go in as a 1st AC, you'll need to show pay stubs that reflect your working days as a 1st. You can upgrade to DP later when you're ready.

Good luck!!

So, c'mon fellas - a lot more of you have had to make this jump.... :huh:

Chris Keth · July 12, 2007

In Los Angeles, I had to prove 100 days of paid non-union work (as a DP) within three years. I got accepted with little fuss, so I count myself as lucky - and honored, quite frankly. If you're getting permitted union days, I think it's 30 days within one year.

As Paul mentions above, you should call the Guild and ask about specifics, especially if you're outside LA. If you go in as a 1st AC, you'll need to show pay stubs that reflect your working days as a 1st. You can upgrade to DP later when you're ready.

Good luck!!

So, c'mon fellas - a lot more of you have had to make this jump.... :huh:

Thanks! It's not a serious enough possibility for me to bother them yet. Thanks for the info! It's not the big, bad demon-goal some people I know make it out to be.

Steven Parker · July 13, 2007

Thanks! It's not a serious enough possibility for me to bother them yet. Thanks for the info! It's not the big, bad demon-goal some people I know make it out to be.

No, it's the next logical step. After a while in the low budget indies, you peak. The next step almost always has to be union work - because that's where the time/money/resources are that are lacking in the low budget world. I am definitely a fan of the rights and wages and benefits and protections of the unions but I gotta say - as a creative person, what I really want is the time and resources to do better work.

But you should definitely try to keep the best records you can. Make sure your call sheets are accurate and save them; make copies of your check stubs and try to make sure they put your position on the memo line. The day will come when you'll be ready to join - and you might as well be ready.

Edited July 13, 2007 by Steven Parker

Chris Keth · July 14, 2007

No, it's the next logical step. After a while in the low budget indies, you peak. The next step almost always has to be union work - because that's where the time/money/resources are that are lacking in the low budget world. I am definitely a fan of the rights and wages and benefits and protections of the unions but I gotta say - as a creative person, what I really want is the time and resources to do better work.

But you should definitely try to keep the best records you can. Make sure your call sheets are accurate and save them; make copies of your check stubs and try to make sure they put your position on the memo line. The day will come when you'll be ready to join - and you might as well be ready.

Very good advice about putting p[osition in the check info. I wouldn't have thought of that until I was kicking myself for not insisting on it. Thanks for the advice!