Im not experienced and Im trying to help a friend find acting and modeling jobs. What is union and non union?

Question

I'm trying to help her get an acting career started without any agencies. We're basically doing it our selves from SCRATH..So what is union, non-union, and equity..And please try to explain n simple terms..lol..Im new to all of this..thanks!

Answer 1

If you want to get good acting & modeling jobs, you HAVE  get an agent. They are your BFF! You just HAVE too. A union is where the film is more like blockbuster films, and non-union is more indies films.

Answer 2

I'm an actor so I don't know about the modeling thing.  Actors refer to Equity...which is the Actors Equity Association.  AEA is the actors' union.  You know how auto workers have a union, well AEA is ours.  There are rules and regulations set by Equity that we have to follow in the theatre world.  You can go to the website www.actorsequity.org for more info.  There are other unions as well SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).  You can get more info on those unions by going to sag.org or aftra.org.  The websites are pretty easy to navigate and should give you all the info you need.  And remember....the library can be your greatest resource.  There are a lot of books on the subject you are asking about and about the nature of the business as well.  Hope this was helpful.