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A Brit working on a union gig in the usa, is it possible?

Adam Etherington

Adam Etherington

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Hey guys,

I'm a UK based dp working primarily out of London but fortunate enough to shoot all over the world.

I have a director friend that has just landed a plum gig on a car spot shooting in the usa. He has asked to take me along, however it is a union gig and i wanted to know what the protocol is with foreign hod's on union jobs.

Is it something that is possible even? If it is possible what is the etiquette and who do i need to inform in the us union, or ask permission of?

I am keen to do things properly, but would be keen to hear any advice of union members or others that have crossed this bridge before.

Many thanks,

Adam
 
No. There are ways to get around it by the production giving you a different non union credit/title on the crew (can't be credited as DP since that's a union position), but the union guys won't like it and may report you. It's a shark eat shark world when it comes to unions.

To get permission you would speak with whoever the local representative is for the area. They may give you a waiver, or they may tell you NO, or they may tell you to pay a fee and/or send a rep out to the shoot to make sure your not there. Good luck and let us know what they say...
 
I work in the US on an 0-1 work permit. That is your first hurdle. You need to be allowed to just work in the US. I have gotten on to union gigs (and not been part of the union) by having the Director request me. Production will still need to pay your union permit fees and dues though.
 
Yeah, It costs over $10k to join 600 as a dp, if it's a union gig and there is a non union guy in a union spot, people tend to get a little pissed.

Nick
 
Well, I would have to ask the original poster if he is a member of the corresponding union/guild in his own country.

Some guilds have that ability to "talk to each other" and sort of "sort things out" for you, am I wrong?

Then, if it is a one time thing, I suppose that getting a B1/B2 visa, and entering under the B1 status will probably suffice, and that is not as big of a hurdle as getting an O1B, but then, you would still need to go to your appropriate consular office, set an appointment, pay for the visa interview, blah blah.... its more than just jumping on the plane and filling the green paper and entering into the country.... you do that, not only would you be working against the union, you would be working illegally in the USA... which can entitle you for deportation... or to be denied the ability to come back in the future, even jail time, and could put the production company in serious trouble.

IANAL, so don't take that as legal advice, and do your own homework.
 
Wonderful, thanks for all the advice.

I have a lot of respect for the unions, they play a very important role. If it happens it will have to be legit, nothing under the radar for very obvious reasons.
 
I have yet to join the Local 600 here in LA and I've experienced pros and cons of this on productions I've worked on. I am finally thinkibg about joining mostly so I don't experience the negatives. It is expensive but I am feeling more and more that it might be the right thing to do.
 
Ive been fortunate to visit the US on many occasion and been made to feel very welcome. I support Unions and their role but am always baffled when I hear about the closed shop nature of Film work, even more so when the border guard at the air port says, Welcome to the land of the free......
 
Doesn't it matter what state you are in also? There are many right to work states where I've worked on union gigs while I was not union, but was paid union rate (and the union was probably paid their cut like I was.)
 
First of all, what state? You just said USA. Each state has its own "union" rules. I live in FL, and we are a right to work state, which means jobs don't have to be union. Non union people can work on union jobs and do all of the time. Usually your dues still goto the union, but you can work the job..

As a DOP no one should be questioning your union membership.
 
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