Equity Crossroads

[BeccaTheSM]

Hey folks, I've been searching through the forums and can't quite find answers for my situation. I'm looking for some opinions.

I just agreed to an Equity contract coming up in the Spring! I'm very excited -- it's a company I worked with as a non-Eq ASM previously, and I loved my time there. I have a concern/question about the transition from non- to Equity. I've already had a job offer for a non-Equity job this summer. I understand that once I'm Equity, I cannot work non-Equity without permission. So am I SOL for this summer job because I will be Equity before it would start? Also, it *may* fall under the category of opera, but I'm not sure.

I've sent an email to the Membership contact I found on the Equity website. Should I also send an email to this summer employer?

Thanks for any advice!
Post Merge: Jan 31, 2011, 03:49 pmAnd I guess follow-up questions would be, how do I indicate that I'm in the transitional phase on my resume? And is it weird (or worst of all, inappropriate) to apply for future equity work at this point -- when the contract which would get me my card doesn't even begin until late March?

Thanks again for any advice/opinions.

Becca

[nick_tochelli]

If I'm not mistaken, Equity will honor any previously signed contracts to a non Equity company. So if you have signed a contract for the summer and then turn Equity in the spring, they will allow you to fulfill your contract.

When I transitioned, I indicated the differences in the work. So I had a heading for AEA Production Stage Management, AEA Assistant Stage Management, and then Non AEA Production Stage Management etc.

[MatthewShiner]

yes, AEA is pretty understanding about honoring signed contracts for non-AEA work even if happens after you have turned AEA - within reason.

And no, not at all inappropriate to apply for AEA work.

[VSM]

What he said.

[MatthewShiner]

In general, even if you are non AEA, you can still apply for AEA work . . . I don't always think it's a good idea to apply to FAR above where you are at the ladder, but if you are the right person for the job, and the job is AEA and you are NOT AEA, all they have to do is offer you the contract . . .

[BeccaTheSM]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I got in touch with the New York office, who had to forward me to the Chicago office (because that's the region the summer job is in). So I'm talking to the right people, and hopefully they'll be able to answer my questions. (I expect I'll be waiting until after this snowstorm passes the Chicago area a bit).

[VSM]

The Chicago AEA office closed at 1:00 pm today due to the storms...

[BeccaTheSM]

Patiently awaiting a reply. And hoping everyone is safe. Stupid crazy weather.

[MatthewShiner]

(Slightly off topic . . . . but grumble, grumble, grumble about union that shuts up at 1:00p, but would expect us to go in and work . . . sigh)

[nmno]

(Slightly off topic . . . . but grumble, grumble, grumble about union that shuts up at 1:00p, but would expect us to go in and work . . . sigh)

Actually, Equity called at noon and made us cancel our rehearsal today...  Which was interesting because basically, at (what was to be) our start time of 2pm, there was no snow, little wind or at least no moreso than usual for Chicago (Roads still sucked but trains and busses were running and we told people to use their best judgement - if taking alternate but safer means or routes meant they'd get here late (even hours late) that it was fine...  if they truly couldn't get here, fine...  we'd work with whoever we could get whenever we could get them...)
Equity agreed to give us a concession to make up the hours but they said they'd discuss it tomorrow when the office was open...  That's great, but *I* have to schedule rehearsal tonight - basically I made them get on the phone with each other and make a ruling.  That's what irritated me - I understand them closing their offices for safety but that doesn't mean they can take the day and a half off.  Why can't they answer emails and phone calls from home (like I did all morning)?!  Okay, I've vented...