Disclosing Union contract terms and conditions publicly or other information that is governed by a Productions NDA or the " Start Work " in general, which is very long, thick and drawn up by Lawyers looking to keep all information as air tight as possible so that no information about a show or movie becomes public, is a huge concern for them. Too many times, information gets out that they don't want out there becomes a " Spoiler" for the publics interest in their product, which they literally have millions of dollars invested in keeping secret, only to have someone post videos, photos or information on the internet, which then damages the value of their product. Companies like Marvel and Disney go to great lengths to keep their information secret by constantly changing the name of the production, limiting areas of access on company owned or rented property, having office staff regularly monitor the internet for what is being said about their Show/product, among other tactics they use to keep info secret. Many times it is easy to trace it back to who violated policy and the Start work governs how that will be dealt with, etc. Social Media is monitored closely, sites like, Facebook, Insta, Reddit and the like. Violations will get you fired from your job and banned from all future work with that Production company, possible charges from your Union, among other penalties. Hope that provides a little insight on that. On to more helpful things.
Yes, Union or Non Union you will need your own Kit, which is generally BLS in nature. The extent of that Kit can vary greatly and the " Kit Inventory" is not something governed by Contract, as wages are. So, kit rental fees and the kit inventory are something that is negotiated individually with each Production. Right now, there is talk/movement towards coming up with at least a Basic minimum level of Kit. Items like AED, O2, Epi, etc. would all be on that list.
Once you are Union, you can not work Non Union productions, which means working for companies like Amp Medics would be out. I am not really a fan of them, since I have a good idea of what they get paid and then the low wages they then offer their Medics. That being said, kinda of like a new EMT starting off with a Private Amb. company doing transport work, it is a way to get industry related experience on your resume, so file that under paying your dues in the hopes of building on that to something better down the road. I started off doing Non Union projects on the side, which by chance lead into getting into the Union. You do not have to join the Union, but if you are not a Union member you will be limited to working Non Union jobs, which pay a lot less and have less or none of the other financial benefits of being a Union member. Major productions are all likely to be Union contracts and not hiring any personel from Private companies, in my opinion.
Another way to get started doing Non Union, is by watching for ads, someone posted an ad here for Survivor for example, while the pay was not great, that would be a way to get something onto the resume and to build relationships and Network for future work, which is what the Industry runs on and that is part of what makes it so difficult to break in and get work and stay busy. I generally, do not know about Non Union work opportunities, but when I do, I will be glad to help a brother out and post it here for someone to jump on. Anyone who would like a resume looked at so that the right things leap out at the UPM, AUPM, PC APC, etc. who look at the resumes, you are invited to contact me for an opinion or ideas. What looks good to get you a normal EMS job is not exactly all of what they are looking for to hire you for their job.
I have come to the conclusion that is this Industry, who you know, is more important that what you know or can do. Networking and your relationships is more important that anything else.
Locations you live in: You are correct. If you live in an are that a lot of shooting goes on, then you are much more likely to have opprotunites to get work. Areas like N.Y.C., L.A. / Hollywood, N.J. any city along or near the Hudson River like Paramust, Hoboken, Jersye City, Newark Etc. , Atlanta Ga., Toronto Canada, Chicago, etc. are where the work is. If you see an ad and you get the job you can go there for the duration of the job, like the Survivor example above form that relationship, make that money and then go home. Lots of folks temporarily, or permanantely relocate from an area they live in that has less work opportunites and the wages will be a lot lower and move to where the work is better. Some folks will get an apt. in NYC for example work their 60-70 hours per week then drive to their home in Pennsylvania or Connecticut on the weekends. N.J. Governor passed a law last year for a TV/Film Industry 30% tax credit thru 2028, so they will have work for at least that long, Stages are in construction right now due to this and will come online this year. N.Y. Gov. Cuomo is lowering NY Tax credit from 30% to 25%.
To sum up, it is a great side gig and a great full time job if you can find the right situation.
