I have friends in the union who are telling me about job opportunities, but from what I hear the job has to be offered to union members before non-union members. The problem is the old catch 22 of should I join first or get the job first.
The question I have is how quickly can I join the union? I've read a little about the process and it doesn't seem like something I can get done between hearing about a job and interviewing for it.
I have 9 years of experience editing reality TV and I really want to make the transition into scripted/union work.
Thanks,
Steve

Good question.

To be hired on most union shows in the LA area, you need to be on the Industry Experience Roster. That generally takes about 3 weeks, and it costs nothing. You need to submit the documentation to Contract Services. Once you're placed on the Roster, it's good for two years.

That makes you eligible to be hired on most union shows.

Once you get hired (or think you might be hired) you can join in an afternoon by coming down to the Guild office and filling out the paperwork.

If the show, for some reason, does not have a Roster requirement (and some don't) you can skip the Contract Services part and just join...

Please feel free to call me to sort this out in more detail

-------------------------
Tris Carpenter, National Organizer
MPEG, IATSE Local 700
323-876-4770 x244
tcarpenter@editorsguild.com

Edited: 05/30/2008 at 07:59 PM by Tris