Hi all,

A casting director called me today to be an extra (yeah, yeah, I know, but we all start somewhere) on a new show that's shooting next month. I believe I will only be working on it for one day. Currently, I'm SAG eligible, and this job is for either a non-union voucher or an AFTRA voucher. The casting director told me that if I opt for an AFTRA voucher, I'll have a higher base pay, and can work on as many AFTRA shows during the next month as I want. At the end of the month, though, I have to either join AFTRA or else I can't work on another AFTRA project for a while. She said that it would be smart to join AFTRA because if SAG strikes, I could continue to work on AFTRA projects.

I thought that it was a bad idea to work on ANY project in the event of a union strike even if you're not part of that particular union.

Anyway, do any of you have advice about what you might do in my situation?

Thanks!

Erin

I read in this one acting book, if you're in AFTRA, and you do a game show, it counts as principle work (which could get you in SAG a year later) and you'll get paid for it (the game show).

Unlike SAG, you can join AFTRA at any time -- so I wouldn't do it unless you absolutely HAVE to. Not only will you have to fork over the initiation fee but, yeah, that membership will then prevent you from legitimately working any further non-union jobs.

Especially, where I live. Joining any acting union, will knock you out of over 50% of the projects here.
Unless you have you join it to get the gig.

Thanks for the responses! I appreciate it. I think I'll stick with the non-union voucher.

Erin