Whats ACTRA and/or UBCP?
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, TV and Radio Artists) is the actors’ union for all of Canada. UBCP (Union of British Columbia Performers) is the BC branch of ACTRA. * These unions are the Canadian equivalent of the American SAG: Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Details please…? ACTRA/UBCP is a union for actors just like the union for ironworkers, mills etc. To become a full union member, one must have worked on 6 union jobs to acquire 6 union credits (not counting extra jobs). After an individual has acquired one union credit, he/she can apply to be an apprentice – which according to the union you must do within 6 weeks, otherwise you forfeit your credit. Each time a non-union actor works on a Union job, they must pay for work permits. The deal is after you’ve paid your 6 permits, you can apply to be a member and therefore no longer have to pay permit fees to work. For more details and ‘The Top Ten Reasons Not to Work Non-Union’
