Joining Local 16?

[George Ebersole]

I emailed Local 16 up in San Francisco recently to apply to get in, but haven't heard anything.

 

Is there a trick or a sponsor process a guy's supposed to go through to join a union?

[Saul Rodgar]

Yeah, usually a member (or members) must recommend and vouch for your at a union meeting, if the union is accepting new members. Otherwise it is like knocking on heaven's door. Try to befriend some of the members for the union you are trying to get into. That is the easiest way.

 

It may seem frustrating to try to get into or having to be part of one to get union work, but it is a double edged sword. Has pros and cons just like everything. Producers and workers who are not part of the union don't necessarily like unions (and overstatement), but once you are in, the benefits can be pretty good. Just got to keep on trying.

[George Ebersole]

Yeah, usually a member (or members) must recommend and vouch for your at a union meeting, if the union is accepting new members. Otherwise it is like knocking on heaven's door. Try to befriend some of the members for the union you are trying to get into. That is the easiest way.

 

It may seem frustrating to try to get into or having to be part of one to get union work, but it is a double edged sword. Has pros and cons just like everything. Producers and workers who are not part of the union don't necessarily like unions (and overstatement), but once you are in, the benefits can be pretty good. Just got to keep on trying.

Thanks Saul.

 

I did have some "ins" years back from not less than a dozen different people, but those contacts are long gone. I thought there might be some formal apprenticeship program or something. Guess not.

 

Just as well, as Local 16 looks to be mostly stagehand type of stuff, and not set oriented even though they're a chapter of IATSE.

 

Thanks again.

[Jamie Metzger]

George, you are barking up the wrong tree. The only film work the 16 does is G&E. They did get a guy on as video utility on Trauma though.

 

The Local 16 is very different from the 600 in terms of "getting in". It takes a long time to get noticed. Then it takes a longer time to get accepted into the Apprenticeship program. After a few years of apprenticeship, you become eligible to become a journeymen. It takes a while, to help weed out the people who aren't comitted.

[michael best]

I emailed Local 16 up in San Francisco recently to apply to get in, but haven't heard anything.

 

Is there a trick or a sponsor process a guy's supposed to go through to join a union?

 

The best way to reach Local 16 about joining is by phone, if you truly want to join. Its not easy nor is it super hard. Once you get a permit status which mean the union says its ok for you to work on union shows you have to make $30,000 or so in one year at that point local 16 will tell you that you can apply for the apprenticeship program. after applying you need to make $30,000 in the following year, once you do that they will interview you and then put you in the apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is about 3 years. Once you have finish your apprenticeship you are voted into the union (its a formality)and you pay your fees.

 

The best way to make your $30,000 is to do hall calls which is not normally a film job its a lot of theater, event, and music jobs, but there is a strong film community. 16 is a mixed union so its more then grip and electic work. Which can be good in slower times as you can work the opera, music fests, ect.

 

One other good thing about the mixed union is that you will learn more then just G&E. You can learn rigging which is very handy as a grip, carpentry (aka a theater grip), theater lighting, event lighting which can come in handy as a juicer or gaffer.

 

There are a lot of people in 16 who make 100% of there living in film/tv. The best thing to do is call the office every few weeks. The best time to get a permit status tends to be the fall as there are a lot of events but if you can show you are smart and a hard worker you can work your way in any time.

 

Hope this helps you a bit