Time and again I come across actors who list SAG/AFTRA membership on their imdb page but they'll only have one or two credits over several years. And some times those credits include only shorts. Also they don't have an agent listed.
My question(s) If you don't have an agent how are you getting union gigs to become SAG eligible in the first place? If you aren't booking the gigs how are you paying union dues? I suppose commercials or extra work wouldn't be listed on imdb. But how do you get those gigs without and agent?
I'm just wondering if union membership is worth it.
unless you are a super booker and have a red hot agent, I'd not join SAG/AFTRA until you have to.
Patrick, did you post this exact same question in another part of the Lounge?
If not then my reply to your question has become lost.
No, I only posted it here.
Then during S32's latest hiccup this week, at least one post was lost.
I'm in an Australian union, even though I didn't have an agent I was actively building my resume, equity here in Australia have different levels of union cover so whilst I'm not booking paid jobs I can still keep up my union fees. The benefit of staying with the union for me is having opportunity's to different seminars , workshops , Q,A's for free as they are held by the union.
If you're not booking paid jobs then how are you paying union fees? And if you're paying union fees then are the seminars really "free"?
The intent of the post seems to have been derailed. I would like to read responses to the original question. It's makes a worthy premise.
Thank you, David. For a while there I wondered if I had not communicated clearly.
How are you paying your union dues? Maybe working as an extra by signing up with agencies like Sylvia Fay, Grant Wilfley, etc. They'll get you solid work on episodics for two or three days a week.