UNION or FICORE
The Choice Between Joining Unions vs. FiCore: What It Means for Your Career
Deciding whether to join SAG-AFTRA or opt for FiCore (Financial Core) is a big decision that can have a significant impact on your career as a performer. Both paths come with pros and cons, and it's essential to know what each means before making a choice.
Union Membership: SAG-AFTRA
Joining SAG-AFTRA is seen as the gold standard in the entertainment industry. When you’re part of the union, you gain access to benefits like:
Healthcare and Pension Plans: These are critical for long-term financial stability.
Protections: The union ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and protects against unpaid work or exploitation.
Legitimacy: Joining SAG-AFTRA adds a level of credibility and professionalism. Being union can open the door to working with major studios and networks, helping you book larger, more established projects.
Contracts for Low-Budget Productions: SAG-AFTRA has also created more flexible contracts, allowing actors to work on Ultra Low Budget (ULB) films and New Media projects while still being protected. This has made union membership more appealing for those seeking work in smaller productions.
However, there are cons to being union, especially if you’re not booking a lot of work:
Limiting Non-Union Work: Once you're SAG-AFTRA, you cannot take non-union jobs without facing penalties. This can be tough if you’re not consistently booking high-paying union gigs.
Dues: The union requires annual dues, plus a percentage of your earnings from union work. If you’re not consistently working, these dues can feel burdensome.
Financial Core (FiCore)
On the other hand, FiCore status allows you to work both union and non-union jobs. When you file for FiCore, you maintain some union protections but lose the right to vote on union matters and be fully involved in union decisions.
Pros of FiCore:
Freedom to Work Non-Union: This can open up a broader range of job opportunities, especially if you’re just starting out or if you're in a niche like modeling, where many jobs are non-union.
Lower Commitment: You pay less in dues, and you don’t have to adhere strictly to union rules regarding work restrictions.
Cons of FiCore:
Stigma: Some people in the industry may see FiCore as "crossing the line" or undermining the union. This can affect your professional relationships.
Fewer Protections: While you still get some benefits from SAG-AFTRA, you won’t be fully covered like a regular union member.
My Opinion: It’s Your Choice
Ultimately, it’s your choice whether to go union or FiCore, and it depends on where you are in your career. If you’re not booking a lot of union work, SAG-AFTRA membership could feel limiting because you’d have to pass on non-union gigs. However, being a union member adds legitimacy and opens doors to more established projects with major networks and studios. SAG-AFTRA has also created new contracts that make it easier to work on lower-budget productions, keeping you protected even on smaller sets.
For those who are primarily models, FiCore makes sense as much of that work is non-union. But if your focus is acting and you’re eligible, going union could be the best move when you feel ready to take the leap.
Ultimately, weigh your options carefully and choose the path that aligns with your long-term goals and where you see your career heading.