Jorge Alarcon Swaby Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Hey Guys, I have a quick question, I'm looking to join the union down the line as as 1st AC or Camera Operator. Tricky part is, I have more paid days as DP than both AC and Camera Operator. Here is the scenario, I had a full time job working for an official documentary company financed by the city of los angeles for over two years. All my paper work for those two years at the company say my title was "Cinematographer" and I worked in over 15 documentary as the DP, and of course all of the days were paid (over $100/day as well) In total, I have well over 200 days as DP paid job on documentaries, and all they pay stubs to prove it as well. So my question is, in that case, will I be eligible to join the union as DP then? Now, If I am, I wouldn't attempt to join or even do so, because lets be real, I won't get any jobs as DP on union stuff nor do I think i have the experience to do so. (unless its documentary of course). I'm racking up Camera Op paid days and thats eventually what I would like to join as. But i'd just want to know if you guys think I would actually be eligible if showed up with all that official paper work of paid DP days from an official company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Drysdale Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Please don't double post it causes confusion. You also need to use your full real name, it's one of the forum rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Alarcon Swaby Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Please don't double post it causes confusion. You also need to use your full real name, it's one of the forum rules. fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted January 21, 2013 Premium Member Share Posted January 21, 2013 Yes, you should be eligible if your pay stubs say those days were worked as a Director of Photography. The rule is proving 100 days of paid work in your category title within a 3-year period backdated from the time of application for work done in the U.S. or its territories. But as you say, if you aren't potentially up for any union jobs as a DP, there isn't much point in joining yet since the cost is fairly steep. I shot about 23 features in ten years before I joined, just because it took that long for me to start getting offers for union features. At that point it seemed like a good investment that would pay off, and it did. The costs for joining as an operator or camera assistant are lower, but then you'd have to prove that you got paid for work in those job positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Alarcon Swaby Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Yes, you should be eligible if your pay stubs say those days were worked as a Director of Photography. The rule is proving 100 days of paid work in your category title within a 3-year period backdated from the time of application for work done in the U.S. or its territories. But as you say, if you aren't potentially up for any union jobs as a DP, there isn't much point in joining yet since the cost is fairly steep. I shot about 23 features in ten years before I joined, just because it took that long for me to start getting offers for union features. At that point it seemed like a good investment that would pay off, and it did. The costs for joining as an operator or camera assistant are lower, but then you'd have to prove that you got paid for work in those job positions. Thank you very much David, you response was right on point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now