|
This Page: [ How
You Work | Join the Club | Doing it Your
Way | To Be Or Not To Be ]
Meeting the stars!
Most people think
of the Motion Picture Industry as an exciting career field filled with "glitz
and glamour". And it can be!
But working in
this industry requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and passion. You must be
the type of person who can handle the unique lifestyle demanded of those who work
in this industry - you must have "THE
RIGHT STUFF". You must also possess the ENTREPRENEURSHIP
and SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS
required of your chosen field.
In this guide,
the term "Motion Picture Industry (Film Production)" refers to
all those directly involved in either the production of feature length films or
documentaries for both theatrical and video release; and/or the production of
television movies, series and documentaries.
You can obtain more information about specific industry associations, organizations
or resources by simply clicking on the site addresses within this section. So,
GET THE COMPETITIVE EDGE! The more you know, the more value you are to
an employer.
|
There are a variety of approaches
that you can take to get into this industry. Crafspersons employed within the
actual film production process work independently or are members of a union
or association.
Directors Guild of Canada (DGC)
directing, pre-production, production management
|
|
ACTRA; U.B.C.P.
performers
|
I.A.T.S.E. Local 891
crew, design, post production, production office, technicians
|
Photographers Guild of Canada
(I.A.T.S.E.) 669
camera department
|
Teamsters Local 155
transportation, security, catering, animals, boats, stunts
|
Independent
agents, casting, directing, performers, post procduction, pre-production,
production management, support technicians, transportation, writers
|
A.C.F.C. West
crew, design, security, catering, technicians, transportation
|
Associations,
Guilds and Unions
Most larger film
and television projects use association/guild/union workers.
To work on a union production,
the employee must have previous training and professional work experience within
the industry. This experience varies from union to union and from department to
department within that union. Once you have gained the right amount of training/experience,
you can apply to the union for permittee status. This will enable you to work
on set in many departments as a trainee. Again, once you have logged the required
amount of of experience for entry level into the department, then you may apply
for membership.*
Unions serve their members as
a body which governs wage scales and working conditions. With the exception of
Teamsters Local 155, they are not hiring halls.** Members must rely
on their own entrepreneurial skills
to find work. Sometimes, producers may call upon unions to supply them with a
list of people to work on a given production. Only then are members called by
their union representatives or department heads to work. Permittees will gain
the opportunity to work only after all the members in that department are working.
* Each union/association
has different membership requirements. Contact the offices in Vancouver for more
details.
** Hiring for Teamsters
155 must go through the union dispatch office.
Working Freelance
Individuals may
choose to work freelance; independently of union affiliation.
This means that each work contract
is negotiated directly between the employee and the independent production company
for a given film project. Wages may vary according to the budget guidelines of
each project. Although there are often more work opportunities for a skilled individual
who has chosen to work independently, salaries are usually lower than their union
counterparts. As well, freelance workers are usually responsible for the complete
funding of their own medical and dental insurance, unlike most union members who
have the advantage of comprehensive benefits packages.
Working Options
for Performers
Performers can belong to unions such
as ACTRA and UBCP; or work independently.
(Union membership can broaden your employment opportunities)
All performers should have an
agent working for them. Look for reputable agents who have connections to film
producers and casting directors. No money should be exchanged up front, and no
fees should be charged. You should have have a current resume and a recent 8x10
headshot photograph. Reputable agents will be a member of TAMAC.
To succeed in the Motion Picture Industry you need more than talent and skills.
No matter what field you are interested in pursuing, you are responsible for creating
your own lucky breaks. Your success is entirely dependent upon your ability to
take ACTION in making that happen. |
  
|
