My first AFTRA gig!!!

Josh Mahler · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008, 01:11 (GMT) Post subject: My first AFTRA gig!!!

I'm very excited! I auditioned for a campaign Friday that I definitely thought I wouldn't get, but I got the call today that I got the gig!

I do have to say I credit Lance Blair in part because I kept some direction in mind that he gave me regarding a demo I posted when I read the audition. Thanks, Lance!

While I don't like the audition, I guess I can't argue if the client thinks my voice is right for them.

Although I've been doing VO for a while, it seems that getting this gig has given a little validity to all the hard work over the years of working my way up, and a bit of a confidence boost too!

Deby Cedars · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008, 01:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Congrats...I've only done on camera AFTRA work......I take it you got this lead from an agent?

Josh Mahler · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008, 03:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Deby. Yes, it was through an agent.

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 08:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey, good for you! Sounding great by the way Very Happy

Claire Dodin · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 10:42 (GMT) Post subject:

well done! It's a lovely read. Applause

Are you joining the union then?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 14:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Super, Josh! I think what excites me the most is seeing yet ANOTHER 'new' voice, so to speak (at least, newer to these forums) getting some of the action. That encourages everyone. Nice job on the audition and congrats!!

John Bigl · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 15:33 (GMT) Post subject:

Be Well

Josh Mahler · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 16:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks everyone!

As far as the union, Claire, I'm still undecided. A friend did mention financial core as an alternative, but still have to do some research on that. Anyone have any opinions?

Bettye Zoller

There is a misunderstanding here, common in the ranks, that you have to have worked to join AFTRA. Screen Actors Guild is that way. You must have worked on at least one SAG contract job before you can become a member. AFTRA, however, is an "open union." Pay your initiation fees and you can join. Just wanted to clarify...I'm a member of both...vested with pensions and health insurance, life insurance, dental, RX drugs, whole thing. I encourage you all to get your union credits paid in through the Health and Welfare payments employers make to your accounts when you work union jobs. It adds up over the years! And you get those lovely residual payments too. You need not be a union member to work union jobs, however. Visit aftra.org and sag.org websites to see more. All the best to you!

Deby Cedars · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 04:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Well I got AFTRA work on camera and then later I joined when I was living and working in CA. I read in my AFTRA booklet...at the time....that once you join one union you may also join another....just by being a member of one......So I'm curious if you can just pay to join AFTRA (with no work) could you then the following year join Sag (with no sag work either).

I have Sag vouchers but, after paying $800 for AFTRA I did not have the cash to join Sag (which was $1000 at the time in CA). I often felt that I had made a mistake when I was doing acting in CA and wished I had shelled out the $1000 for SAG instead of the $800 for AFTRA......

Most of the on camera work I wanted in CA was Sag not AFTRA......I had hoped and even voted to have them combine....but it never happened.

I think your agent is the real best person who can give you advice on this.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 11:17 (GMT) Post subject:

At the moment, AFTRA and SAG are not playing well together. So whatever your old book says about cross-membership probably no longer applies.

Claire Dodin · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 11:17 (GMT) Post subject:

ok, my understanding of unions is this (a bit simplified):
-you can't work a union job if you are not union or financial core except if the employer agrees to pay a fine which will make you eligible to join the union (SAG), for AFTRA you just have to join.
-to be SAG eligible you need to either collect 3 SAG vouchers (through extra work), or be Taft Hartley (situation above) or be a member of a sister union for a year AND have worked a principle role under this union.

So Josh, if I'm not mistaken, when you join AFTRA you will not be allowed to work non union jobs anymore even if they fall under SAG jurisdiction except if you join financial core which is not recommended because it makes the union weaker.
You need to think about it, if there is a lot of union work in your area, this could be a great move.

What I'm unsure about is when you have to join.
With SAG, on the first job you become eligible, on the second you have to join.
With AFTRA I don't know if you have to join on the first or second job.

Deby Cedars · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 18:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Here is what I would like to know. Where do jingles fit into the Unions? For instance I recently did a jingle for $300. Would that be considered a union wage for a 30 sec or 60 sec commercial. If I shelled out $1000 to join a union would it help me get better paying jingle work or more jingle work? If I wanted to give a jingle away to the American Heart Association would the union let me?

I do know one good thing would happen...If someone stiffed me on a jingle I would have someone to call.....but then again I could just take that $1000 fee to hire an entertainment lawyer too. I have never actually signed a legal contract for jingle work. Most of the agreements have been made by email. Would written email stand up in a court of law? I do understand that a lot of jingle work is done as spec work and I totally understand that selling a jingle is not always easy, but what do you do when a radio station just steals it? How would the union handle that?

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 19:34 (GMT) Post subject:

The AFTRA rate for a solo singer is $759 or a maximum 4-hour day (off-camera). If you are part of a group of 3-8 singers, the rate is $402. And if you are in a group of 9 or more the rate is $379.

AFTRA does not allow you to donate your services to a charitable organization. If you do a job for the Heart Association, according to AFTRA rules, they must pay you the full rate. If you want to then turn around and write them a check for that same amount as a donation, that's your business.

All that having been said, it is my opinion that unless you have a specific reason to join AFTRA (i.e. a job that requires it) or are working pretty much exclusively in a market with a strong AFTRA presence (like NY or LA) there's no need to rush out and join.

Sid Whatley · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008, 01:36 (GMT) Post subject:

[quote="Deby Cedars lmt"]Here is what I would like to know. Where do jingles fit into the Unions? For instance I recently did a jingle for $300. Would that be considered a union wage for a 30 quote]

Deby......a "union" vocal for a jingle (national) would pay much more. I did a national jingle vocal (union) in 1985 for "Big A Auto Parts" and it amounted to aprox. $12,000 for the year. Another friend of mine was the national vocal for Maybeline in 1984 (?) and she received aprox. $60,000 that year from 1hrs. of work. The national union stuff depends on the "media buy". Good money for the national union vocals and reads. These checks came in quarterly.

All of this may have changed of course. I am the first to say I am not familiar with todays SAG/Aftra rates and do not know how it is compiled.