Damn thats a huge barrier to get through, but im going to try. Worked a few non-union feature last year in the Bay area as a 1st AC and plan on moving to LA to get more work.
It is a barrier and its that way by design. Its just meant to insure that there is a certain level of experience and have had time to make contacts that will hopefully give you union work.
This has a lot of information, but is mainly how to join 600 in LA, it's not like that in the rest of the country. Contract Services and the roster is only required to work in the Western Region. One thing that doesn't get brought up enough is to learn money management and finance. You should always try to keep 3-6 months saved for slow periods or a shutdown, like covid that nobody saw coming. And in 2023 with the WGA strike, so people who never have worked in the business and have never made that kind of money and go out and spend money on new cars, houses & vacations, then things get slow for whatever reason, they have no money and start stressing about paying bills. It's what I stress when I lead trainings.
I am grateful you are helping people how to join. Have them call the office, they work payment plans with the initiation fees. They are really great about that.
Great video, I'm looking to join the Hair/Makeup Union. Thanks for the info, though I know the information will be slightly different, I still wanted to check your video out!
This has been truly invaluable, I thought for a minute that studio camera operators where local 600 but found out they're separate. Starting the process to get unionized with my local Television Broadcasting Studio Employees chapter, fingers crossed.
Very Helpful. Thank you. I’ve started working on some sets as a stills photographer and have enjoyed it enough that I am considering making it my focus. That healthcare sounds too good (cheap) to be true! Thank you again.
I don’t understand your comment because it is worded strangely? Therefore I can’t tell if your comment is a negative one or actually a worthwhile addition to the conversation here
@@JamesMarin It really was. I tried my best to decipher the instructions online but it was so difficult. I’ve got some odd 30+ union days but I was hired from outside of the US from having dual citizenship situation so I’m trying to see how that all play out. Hope to join you one day.
Do the days have to be the exact role I want to do? Let's say I want to DIT under local 600. Does that mean I have to DIT for 100 days non-union or could I just PA?
Correct. It has to be under ONE classification. 100 days of Cinematographer. Or 100 as an AC can be 1st or 2nd I believe, someone corrected me after I posted this video. 100 as an operator, 100 as a DIT. etc etc You can however join as a camera utility which is essentially a PA for the camera deparment. That way you're IN and you can do what is called a "Re-Rate" (Pay the difference) when you move up to a different classification such as a DIT
Hi! I'm still a student, but I'm graduating soon and starting to learn about union opportunities for once I move to Atlanta. If I want to eventually be in the camera department and Local 600, will I need to find 100 days of non-union camera PA jobs, or will any PA job still allow me to join Local 600?
Hey Kendall. It has to be 1 specific job in the camera department (think DP, 1st or 2nd AC, Camera Operator, DIT etc). I believe the equivalent to a camera PA is whats called a Digital Utility. I also believe that you can simply pay and join as a Digital Utility and move up from there. I have heard people go from Digital Utility, meet people who hire them as a 2nd AC, then they get their days as a 2nd AC and then they have to do what is called "re-rate" (you pay money to now join as a 2nd AC) and so on and so forth. I hope I've explained it in a way that is understandable. Thanks for your comment.
@@JamesMarin Hey James. Your videos are so informative for me since I'm in the process of pursuing my days to join 600 as a 2nd AC. I'm also debating joining straight on as a Digital Utility, but would you say this is a good move if I don't have many union camera department contacts? Would I be able to be picked up for Utility jobs through the Local 600 roster?
@@krisadams6457 Hey Kris! I think joining as a Digital Utility is a great route. I never did it myself but it seems to have been a great choice for most of the digital utilities that I have worked with that took that route. There seems to be way more upside then there is downside and I always think thats a good choice. The hustle is still the same though. I wouldnt rely on the roster to get you jobs. Just keep working, meeting people, reaching out to people you dont know, and overall giving more value out of your work than is expected. Hope this helps!
You receive information on what is currently shooting in your region (Western region, Eastern region etc..) and what will be shooting. Sometimes it has contact information to contact the production but I have never heard of someone landing a job from a cold email. However, I doubt anyone really ever cold emails when it is provided. Getting work in this business is really more based on who you have worked with previously, whether or not your work is being seen by others who will want to hire you, and being recommended by your peers to other people who will hire you. The more union contacts you have the better. I would not join the union if you aren't receiving any calls at all for union work. When you get calls and have to consistently turn down union work because you are not in, that is when you want to join. Otherwise you are paying dues for nothing
It can be tough, but so are a lot of things worth having. There is the option of joining as a Camera Utility. I'd look it up and see if its right for you. It has a lower barrier to entry. Best place to start though is to just simply work, do the best job you can and meet people.
Follow up. I've working as a non union camera utility for little while. Could I use those days towards my 100 and if so what do I need from them to count?
@@LifewithJD931 I'd call Local 600 but I believe you can just join as a utility if you pay money and pass some sort of exam? Not 100% sure on that though. That way if you work as a union utility on a feature or tv show you might be able to gather some days in a higher position in the camera department if the need arises and you're able to do the job.
Wow I'm pretty sure I could join the Stonecutters easier than Local 600..! "Who now has my apple box? Who keeps gaff tape under locks? We do! We do..!"
I can never join! I've worked as PA for web Did some post producer and couple of dp intern dailies In a production house as PA Overall 3 day shoot + 10 days post studio in last 3 years Never say never but ........
Damn thats a huge barrier to get through, but im going to try. Worked a few non-union feature last year in the Bay area as a 1st AC and plan on moving to LA to get more work.
It is a barrier and its that way by design. Its just meant to insure that there is a certain level of experience and have had time to make contacts that will hopefully give you union work.
This has a lot of information, but is mainly how to join 600 in LA, it's not like that in the rest of the country. Contract Services and the roster is only required to work in the Western Region. One thing that doesn't get brought up enough is to learn money management and finance. You should always try to keep 3-6 months saved for slow periods or a shutdown, like covid that nobody saw coming. And in 2023 with the WGA strike, so people who never have worked in the business and have never made that kind of money and go out and spend money on new cars, houses & vacations, then things get slow for whatever reason, they have no money and start stressing about paying bills. It's what I stress when I lead trainings.
thanks for your comment !
I am grateful you are helping people how to join. Have them call the office, they work payment plans with the initiation fees. They are really great about that.
Thanks for watching! Its the least I can do. I love this industry
Great video, I'm looking to join the Hair/Makeup Union. Thanks for the info, though I know the information will be slightly different, I still wanted to check your video out!
Thanks for watching! Hopefully the info here will be helpful to you for your union
Great breakdown, this is going to help many people.
Thank you! I hope so!
Very informative, thank you! I lost it at the Parks and Rec "money pleeease" 😂
Glad you found it informative ! Thanks for watching
Thank you for this video. Supremely helpful.
Thanks for watching Tyler! Glad it’s helpful!
This has been truly invaluable, I thought for a minute that studio camera operators where local 600 but found out they're separate. Starting the process to get unionized with my local Television Broadcasting Studio Employees chapter, fingers crossed.
Good luck! Thanks for watching !
Very Helpful. Thank you. I’ve started working on some sets as a stills photographer and have enjoyed it enough that I am considering making it my focus. That healthcare sounds too good (cheap) to be true! Thank you again.
Glad it was helpful!
what a great way to keep people out that the established people don't want to join.
I don’t understand your comment because it is worded strangely? Therefore I can’t tell if your comment is a negative one or actually a worthwhile addition to the conversation here
Thank you
You're welcome !
Thanks for all the great info in this video!
You're very welcome! Thank you for watching!
Thanks for the video.
Hope it was helpful to you!
@@JamesMarin It really was. I tried my best to decipher the instructions online but it was so difficult. I’ve got some odd 30+ union days but I was hired from outside of the US from having dual citizenship situation so I’m trying to see how that all play out. Hope to join you one day.
Thankyou for this
You're welcome!
Hi James
I’m looking at doing the Hollywood CPR camera loader craft course.. how do you find that organisation?
Thank you for any advice !
Hey there! Thanks for your comment. I'm not exactly familiar with the course you mentioned. I wish I had better info for you!
incredibly helpful, great job man
Glad you found it helpful !
Do the days have to be the exact role I want to do? Let's say I want to DIT under local 600. Does that mean I have to DIT for 100 days non-union or could I just PA?
Correct. It has to be under ONE classification. 100 days of Cinematographer. Or 100 as an AC can be 1st or 2nd I believe, someone corrected me after I posted this video. 100 as an operator, 100 as a DIT. etc etc
You can however join as a camera utility which is essentially a PA for the camera deparment. That way you're IN and you can do what is called a "Re-Rate" (Pay the difference) when you move up to a different classification such as a DIT
Hi! I'm still a student, but I'm graduating soon and starting to learn about union opportunities for once I move to Atlanta. If I want to eventually be in the camera department and Local 600, will I need to find 100 days of non-union camera PA jobs, or will any PA job still allow me to join Local 600?
Hey Kendall. It has to be 1 specific job in the camera department (think DP, 1st or 2nd AC, Camera Operator, DIT etc). I believe the equivalent to a camera PA is whats called a Digital Utility. I also believe that you can simply pay and join as a Digital Utility and move up from there. I have heard people go from Digital Utility, meet people who hire them as a 2nd AC, then they get their days as a 2nd AC and then they have to do what is called "re-rate" (you pay money to now join as a 2nd AC) and so on and so forth. I hope I've explained it in a way that is understandable. Thanks for your comment.
@@JamesMarin Hey James. Your videos are so informative for me since I'm in the process of pursuing my days to join 600 as a 2nd AC. I'm also debating joining straight on as a Digital Utility, but would you say this is a good move if I don't have many union camera department contacts? Would I be able to be picked up for Utility jobs through the Local 600 roster?
@@krisadams6457 Hey Kris! I think joining as a Digital Utility is a great route. I never did it myself but it seems to have been a great choice for most of the digital utilities that I have worked with that took that route. There seems to be way more upside then there is downside and I always think thats a good choice. The hustle is still the same though. I wouldnt rely on the roster to get you jobs. Just keep working, meeting people, reaching out to people you dont know, and overall giving more value out of your work than is expected. Hope this helps!
So once you’re in do they like send you union jobs to apply for or something? How does that work?
You receive information on what is currently shooting in your region (Western region, Eastern region etc..) and what will be shooting. Sometimes it has contact information to contact the production but I have never heard of someone landing a job from a cold email. However, I doubt anyone really ever cold emails when it is provided. Getting work in this business is really more based on who you have worked with previously, whether or not your work is being seen by others who will want to hire you, and being recommended by your peers to other people who will hire you. The more union contacts you have the better. I would not join the union if you aren't receiving any calls at all for union work. When you get calls and have to consistently turn down union work because you are not in, that is when you want to join. Otherwise you are paying dues for nothing
I would really love to join but it seems like a real hassle just to do it, I wouldn't even know where to start
It can be tough, but so are a lot of things worth having. There is the option of joining as a Camera Utility. I'd look it up and see if its right for you. It has a lower barrier to entry. Best place to start though is to just simply work, do the best job you can and meet people.
@@JamesMarin Ok thanks man I'll look into that! the closest experience I have working in the industry is doing background work so far
Hi BonBon
So if we're looking to 2nd when joining I would have to have 100 non union 2nd days?
Thats correct !
Follow up. I've working as a non union camera utility for little while. Could I use those days towards my 100 and if so what do I need from them to count?
@@LifewithJD931 I'd call Local 600 but I believe you can just join as a utility if you pay money and pass some sort of exam? Not 100% sure on that though. That way if you work as a union utility on a feature or tv show you might be able to gather some days in a higher position in the camera department if the need arises and you're able to do the job.
That's it! I am done directing and moving to camera!
Come join us Tom! Join the Darkside
@@JamesMarin hey if things don't turn around quick, I'll be looking for camera pa work for sure!
just sent in my 100 non-union days to contract services today... fingers crossed.
Good Luck Jake!
Did you get accepted!
Damn should have started with that 5-17k initiation fee 😭
Wow I'm pretty sure I could join the Stonecutters easier than Local 600..! "Who now has my apple box? Who keeps gaff tape under locks? We do! We do..!"
😂
I can never join!
I've worked as PA for web
Did some post producer and couple of dp intern dailies
In a production house as PA
Overall 3 day shoot + 10 days post studio in last 3 years
Never say never but ........