Jumping into Local 600 - when is it right?

[Jacob Mitchell]

Howdy all,

I'm curious to hear people's personal experiences when joining Local 600 as a DP. I'm currently a non-union DP in LA and doing well focusing solely on that, but I'm getting sore working with lower budget, non-union productions and wish to orient and guide myself in the right direction. I realize that joining the union will not bring me more work and magically make everything wonderful. I'm particularly curios to hear: What made joining the union seem like the right choice? What were the signs? Did you feel like you joined too early? Too late? Is there anything crucial someone trying to get on the path to the union should know?

[Albion Hockney]

If you start getting called for union gigs and have to permit in that is a good time.

I feel like most DPs these days get an agent before they go 600 so that gives you an idea.

depend on the type of work you do though