How to Join AFTRA

The entertainment industry has some of the best unions in the country, but the competitiveness for jobs can be steep. Once you are in the union, you can only do professional union work. This is great as your rights and work are protected by your union.You want to join AFTRA (The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) once you have established yourself as a professional television or radio artist or personality. Here's how to join AFTRA:

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

How to Join AFTRA

1. Perform professional work in one of the productions that AFTRA is signed on. If you intend to perform work on a production that is within AFTRA's jurisdiction, you are eligible as well. AFTRA represents a range of productions that include soap operas, other television dramas and comedies, and radio shows.

2. Look at your body of work and experience, and determine if you are ready to compete on a professional level. AFTRA members are often working professionals with a lot of experience under their belt. If you feel you need to add to your reel or work on a smaller scale, you want to delay membership.When you are ready to work only in a professional environment and feel qualified to do so, proceed to join the union.

3. Complete an application. Make sure you have identification and your full resume with you when doing so.

4. Pay a one-time initiation fee and dues for the current dues period.

5. Receive your AFTRA card in the mail when all is completed. You want to carry this with you always, especially on set. Keep it on hand for calling your representatives.

6. Get involved with AFTRA as a final step in being a true member. Health insurance, credit unions, travel discounts and other perks are at your fingertips with membership.

Tips & Warnings

• Join the union when you are qualified and ready to work on professional productions only.
• Make sure you have an established reel that will be a calling card for professional work.
• Try to get the counsel of an agent and manager before joining AFTRA.
• Don't join AFTRA until you are a professional actor, or until you are ready to compete at that level. Actors in the unions should not do non-union work under any circumstances.
• Don't spend your only savings on joining AFTRA unless it's a requirement for working on an acting gig.

Resources

• Official site of AFTRA