Producing A Movie With Union Or Non-Union Actors & Crew

The choice of shooting union or non-union has a strong impact on your entire production. People in the movie business have different views on union or non-union projects. I've heard the opinion that it's selfish of a filmmaker to make a non-union movie. A main argument being that if a filmmaker can't work within the established system that they shouldn't make movies. My opinion is 100% biased on this subject. If the only way for a filmmaker to express himself or herself and tell a story is by shooting a non-union movie then they should pursue that route.

Film crews and post-production technicians that are members of a union or guild work under employment agreements set by their respective union or guild. Employment agreements include how many hours can be worked, minimum pay rate, overtime pay rate, mandatory breaks, and other items.

There are also many skilled and talented non-union technicians more than happy to work on a smaller budget non-union movie if it is a paid gig. The film crew and post-production team are essential to a movie's success, but let's be honest with ourselves. How many people know who was the director of photography or film editor of their favorite movies? I couldn't tell you either. Like most movie fans I could only tell you who the directors and stars of my favorite movies are. Below-the-line crew pretty much goes unrecognized by most viewers.

This is why many independent filmmakers are more concerned with deciding on whether to hire union or non-union actors than they are a film crew. The movie business at every level is actor driven.

Even in a bad movie that critics and viewers pan as poorly directed fodder, an actor can still get a positive review for their individual performance. That's why the next two questions are important for a filmmaker to consider.

Will your movie be produced using SAG (Screen Actors Guild) for talent? Unions have minimum pay scales movie producers have to meet. Or is a non-union cast the most practical way for you to go as a filmmaker?

Going union on cast is an ideal situation for any filmmaker. Talent that is union could file Fi-Core (Financial-Core) status to do your movie. You can study more about what Fi-Core means on the Internet through articles, blogs, and opinions.

Your talent options are limitless going union. Going non-union with casting actors eliminates potential talent that are members of SAG from appearing in your film. But sometimes indie producers and filmmakers do not have the budgets to work with SAG, even under their indie friendly agreements. It comes down to making a movie or not. Most hungry filmmakers will always choose to make their movie any way they can, which is a great thing. This is indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing FADE TO BLACK:

Get the inside scoop on writing, producing, directing, and movie distribution at Slice Of Americana Films. Check out the life and times of filmmaker Sid Kali.