Motion Picture Editor's Guild (help me understand)

[aleatoric]

How does it work? How do you become a member? What are the qualifications? Once a member they simply get work for you? I am a bit lost. Can someone please clarify.

[Henchman]

unions and guilds do not get you work.
They negotiate with employers for rates etc.

So they are definitely worthwhile. Because I guarantee you, that without them we'd all be working for ridiculously low rates.

[charles maynes]

The Union also has a health and pension plan which your Union work pays for. It is not trivial. Contact the Los Angeles office to see about membership- www.editorsguild.com

[aleatoric]

My understanding has always been once you join a union they contact you about a gig and you work on the project and the union pays you to do so, therefor getting you work. This is incorrect?

[TVPostSound]

Originally Posted by aleatoric

My understanding has always been once you join a union they contact you about a gig and you work on the project and the union pays you to do so, therefor getting you work. This is incorrect?

Ha!! The "Roster"!!!
That was the theory in the past. Producers should be hiring from the top of the roster.
The production company pays you, not the union.
I have been on the roster for over 5 years, never been called!!

[charles maynes]

Originally Posted by aleatoric

My understanding has always been once you join a union they contact you about a gig and you work on the project and the union pays you to do so, therefor getting you work. This is incorrect?

you are ill-informed.

The Union has what is known as "the availibility roster" which is people who are looking for work can put themselves on, though I know of not one person getting hired from it (in the 14 years I have been in).

You get hired either by a facility, or a Supervising Sound Editor who then pays you. The Union tacks on a premium to your wage of about 18%, which goes to your fringe benefits.

[Rick Sanchez]

There are pros and cons to guild membership. If you want to work on most any theatrical release, or on a lot, you will need to be a member. The guild web site has entrance requirements or drop by your local and talk to the membership rep.

In my opinion, the main pro as a guild working freelancer is the excellent health benefits, which is no small thing. The union also has negotiated a decent minimum wage with the producers/studios. Be aware that if you are a freelancer, you still need to go out an hustle up work and there are minimum requirements to be eligible for the benefits. The union does not guarantee a job, nor does contract services (the roster).

Membership also allows you to be employed by union signatory facilities (major studios, networks and many of the larger independent post facilities). You can also find fantastic networking and mentoring opportunities as a member.

I left the union in 1998 after a non-union opportunity came up and was able to negotiate a higher wage and similar benefits than I was as a member. The down side was that I gave up the opportunity to work on major releases. For me doing a wide variety of work (production audio, sound design, mixing, foley, music) was more interesting and when I was in the guild, that was somewhat frowned upon. Things have changes somewhat since that time and the guild has loosened it's restrictions a bit, so go out and talk to some members and get their point of view.

If you're main goal is to work on theatrical features and/or prime time television, I highly suggest pursuing membership.