VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[megalaser]

Hi, I wonder if I might ask some advice please, I am looking to take my VO career to the next level by joining a Union so that I can make myself available for Union work, is there only SAG or are there other 'less demanding' Unions that are acceptable? I planned on joining SAG but the initiation fee is almost $3k and I can't join without some Union work in hand so this presents a vicious circle to a newcomer like me. Any advice on alternatives to SAG that are easier would be much appreciated. Many Thanks! Simon

[Deirdre]

Joining a union is a "necessary evil" of this biz, and there are no "less demanding" unions, I'm afraid.

You join when you have enough work to make it worthwhile— you can do some union-covered work without being in the union, but they only allow so much until you MUST JOIN.

Joining a union doesn't advance your career. As your career advances, you'll end up joining a union when it's time.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[megalaser]

Thanks, I actually hate the idea of having to join a union but the problem seems to be that if I am listed as 'non-union' I get offered really crappy work. I have been told I can only get decent work if I am union because ad agencies, broadcasters ect will only hire union members. How much of this is true I am not sure but I do need to look into it and at some point move away from the 'non-union' stigma.

[Lee Gordon]

Well, here's the Catch-22. Being listed as "non-union" gets you offers of really crappy work, but being listed as "union" could result in no offers of work at all, crappy or otherwise.
I highly recommend joining a union if and when a job you are about to be hired for requires it, and not before.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[Philip Banks]

Worth bearing in mind all of the above but most important of all Non Union only = Cheap and crappy work if you let it be so.

[megalaser]

Thanks, all very helpful advice and much appreciated. The kind of work I have available being non union is things like 'less than $100 budget' and they want things like 2 hours of multi media narration or they also want music and a full production. It's no good to accept this kind of work in my opinion. The only reason I brought this up is that a friend of mine commissions VO for a marketing agency in New York and he said they will only use Union people. I suppose joining a Union is one of those 'chicken and egg' situations to start.

[ccpetersen]

If enough of us don't accept such crappy work, then maybe those who offer it will get the message; or they'll end up hiring talent that makes hash of their productions.
_________________
Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

[megalaser]

I just seem to get loads like this one from today:

Posted Date: 19 Aug 2010
Posting Closes: 02 Sep 2010
Budget: Less than $500

Job Description: We have a a script that we want to publish on a CD. Need someone to narrate the script in a "professional speaker" or "radio personality" manner. Script is still being created. Estimate the finished audio time to be 30 minutes.

Makes you wonder what 'less than $500' actually means - I am sure they are thinking a lot less!

[mpelishek]

I've wondered a lot about this as well. Good info.

[Lizden]

New York is a very Union town. So your friend is probably right - for his agency. But that is not the case all around.

I make a full time living as a VO, with many repeat clients, without being in either Union (SAG or AFTRA).
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

[megalaser]

That's great to hear!

[Bruce]

If, if, if and if you must join a union, the one most logical to our business is AFTRA. SAG mostly deals with projects shot on film. But I might try lining up a couple of agents and getting affiliated with some production houses around the country. If they're any good, and many are, they will be an entrée to better work.


B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Moe Egan]

I am not union.
I am a full time VO.

One does not need to join a union to be successful.

I'm just sayin.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

[COURVO]

I've got the AFTRA union application paperwork in my grimy little (well, big) hands right now, and it amounts to about $1,000. They'll even let you make payments.

I've had said paperwork for 2-3 months. I take it out every day. Look at it. Look at my checquebook. Look at my non-union rcpts coming in, and then put the paperwork back in its sheath.

CourVO
_________________
Dave Courvoisier - Las Vegas, NV
http://www.CourVO.com
CourVO@CourVO.com
Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."

[Chrissy]

I agree with the advice being given so far. Have you checked with some of the production studios in Orlando to ask whether the majority of work is union or non-union? Boston is a medium size market and most of the work is non-union. I've been offerred some decent $$ to do non-union work.