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Any members of the Southern California guild know what the minimum rate is for Low Budget Theatrical for cinematographer or camera operator is? Does this rate apply to "short films" as well?

Hey! I'm Marco TOMA Tomaselli italian up and coming cinematographer now based in Los Angeles. I got an offer to work in a big union show as AC and because I'm new to the union's world I got some question that I not found answers yet. I'm applying to IER first but I'm not sure how classify myself. In the last year 85% of the gigs I have is as cinematographer, 5% as cam op and 10% as ac. By the way I got enough hours in the last 3 years in each of the 3 positions. I know that when I'll join the union it has to be as you are classify into the roster and I want to be sure that it will be the right one. I want to ends up being a union cinematographer. I know that the contacts I have will hire me as AC (as CamOp in the best situation) and if I join as cinematographer but I'll work for more than 40 days as AC, I'll automatically downgrade. What the best classification to work with freedom in the camera dept? Can I join as Camera op so I work both AC and in the future as Cinematographer? Thanks a lot, Toma.