Is Fi-Core Right For Me?
In the end, of course, this question is the one only you can answer. If it’s worth it to you, to open up the opportunity to work in a lot more projects, some big, some small, well-paid, low paid and unpaid, with excellent production value on some and amateur-hour quality on others in an effort to continue working, building a resume and a reputation and experience that will hopefully give you a kick-start into bigger, better Union gigs and a life-long acting career then… it’s worth it.
But, if it’s not worth your time and trouble to anger the Union, draw the ire of your pro-Union acting friends, weed through all the low-paid, unpaid and just plain garbage projects on the casting websites, run the risk of alienating staunchly pro-Union producers, directors, agents etc. and have to defend your decision and explain your status every now and then to a newbie casting director, then… it’s not.
I hope I’ve provided answers and insight to all your questions regarding this very controversial subject. If you have other questions, leave them in the comments section and I will try to provide further information if I can. Please feel free to share your own insights, experiences or even disagreements, if you have any, with my evaluations on the subject.
Next: References And Resources
This is one of a series of questions and answers regarding Financial Core for SAG-AFTRA members. Jump to a question:
Intro: Everything You Wanted To Know About Fi-Core But Were Afraid To Ask
Why Would A SAG-AFTRA Actor Want To Go Fi-Core?
Why Would An Actor NOT Want To Choose Fi-Core? What Are The Consequences?
What Does The Union Say About Fi-Core And What Are The Arguments For It?
Is There Really A Stigma Against Fi-Core Actors In The Industry?
Will I Lose My Pension And Benefits?
Right To Work And Fi-Core Permanence
What If I'm SAG-AFTRA And Just Take Non-Union Gigs 'Under The Radar?'
How Many Fi-Core Members Are There?
Fi-Core And The SAG-AFTRA Merger
Does SAG-AFTRA Offer More Detailed Information About Financial Core?
How Would I Go About Getting On Fi-Core Status?
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About Jeff Hatch
Jeff Hatch trained as a theatre actor in college and conservatory programs and appeared in regional and local theatre in Southern California, Utah and Arizona before pursuing Film and Television in LA. He has worked in several TV, Film and Commercial projects over the past 10 years. He has recently booked several roles in independent feature films, shorts, a prime-time network comedy, a daytime soap and multiple re-enactment documentary programs. Read more about Jeff on IMDb.
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We are grateful to the author of this article for sharing their experience and point of view, but because this is a guest post it does not necessarily completely represent the views of Karmalicity.