Author Topic: How to join AEA  (Read 5177 times)

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SGU312

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How to join AEA
« on: Apr 16, 2014, 12:22 pm »
Forgive me if this has be discussed before, I know there is a thread where folks talk about how they got their card.
Recently, my parents have been asking me about joining AEA, and I've had a hard time explaining to my parents how one joins AEA.
I have seen the offical AEA ways at http://www.actorsequity.org/membership/howtojoin.asp
but I wanted some clarification.
Here are the different scenarios I am aware of (please correct me if I'm wrong):

-One can simply join whenever, although they have to start paying dues, etc <----- this feels incorrect, but I felt I would list it
-One can be working in a sister union, and then join AEA
-One can partake in the EMC program, and once they hit 50 weeks, they can join AEA
-One can be a non-union intern/PA/ASM etc and be asked by management/producer to take a union position

Do these ways seem correct? What other ways can one join AEA?

XanderQCall

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Re: How to join AEA
« Reply #1 on: Apr 16, 2014, 01:48 pm »


I think the only one that is incorrect is the first one--I believe you have to be signed to an AEA contract to join--you cannot just join whenever.


Quote
Do these ways seem correct? What other ways can one join AEA?

EDIT: Formatting - PSMK
« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2014, 05:51 pm by PSMKay »

loebtmc

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Re: How to join AEA
« Reply #2 on: Apr 16, 2014, 03:11 pm »
First, this is an easy call to your local office membership department, as they have all the latest news

To my knowledge, there are three ways (unless things changed in the SAG/AFTRA merger)
1) earning EMC weeks (50 weeks unless you are in a sister union, in which case 25 weeks)
2) be a member of a sister union in good standing for a year with at least one non-extra role (ie principal/guest star)
3) be offered a contract by an employer.

Did you have a specific example to ask about?





SGU312

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Re: How to join AEA
« Reply #3 on: Apr 17, 2014, 12:11 pm »
Thank you both for the quick response and clarification!

I had a feeling that first one was incorrect...I feel silly now for listing it  :o

Anyways, I don't have a specific example. I'm simply a young-ish SM thinking about the future. I am part of the EMC program, although that has proved to have it's own challenges.

KMC

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Re: How to join AEA
« Reply #4 on: Apr 17, 2014, 12:23 pm »
I'm simply a young-ish SM thinking about the future. I am part of the EMC program, although that has proved to have it's own challenges.

Also remember - there is a lot of good non-union work out there (Vegas, Cirque-style shows, Corporate work, etc.).  This isn't even remotely intended as a slight to AEA or what the union and its sisters have accomplished, but be sure to consider many paths when thinking about the future.

At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly - "When I was your age..."  my plan was so wildly different than what's actually played out in my career.  Not even remotely close.  I wouldn't change any of it, but keep an open mind.  Now get off my lawn.  ;)
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

 

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