VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[meerkat15]

Hi there-
Glad to have found this bulletin board and hoping to get some much-needed advice from people in the know! I work part time as the an announcer on a radio show based in a small market and I've done so for the past few years. I do both straight announcing and character work on the show, and I've been wanting for quite some time to put a demo together to branch out and start to do other voice-over projects. I've been put in a very odd situation though. The radio show I'm on is being turned into a series for public television and I have been asked to do the announcing for it. The TV show requires that I join AFTRA. This scares me because I've heard that if you join a union too soon you can wreck your career. Has anyone been in a similar situation who could give me some advice? Is anyone aware of what voice-over opportunities are like in small markets (union vs. non-union)? Is there a way for me to be union, yet still build non-union experience somehow? Last but not least, is it at all possible to join AFTRA for an opportunity such as this, quit for a year or two while I build up experience, and then rejoin when I am ready? (I dont want to go Financial Core as I would very much like to be part of AFTRA one day - it just seems like it might be happening to soon). Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

[Bruce]

Actually, it sounds like it could be a lucky stroke for you to be asked to be part of a national radio show. It could lead to other things! AFTRA is not necessarily a beast.

First, you don't say what market you're in. Knowing whether you're in a "right to work" state can make a difference. You apparently don't have to be a member of the union to work at your station, so presuming you're going to keep working there, that shouldn't be a problem (but are there also union radio stations in town?). Also, AFTRA usually allows you to do "locally made and played" spots not on contract, especially if there aren't a lot of members and signatories in your area. Are there AFTRA members on the staff of your station? Ask them about this if there are. Ask the PD or GM.

Is your goal mostly radio work or mostly VO? This could help shape your answer too. Let us know more, and we'll be better able to give you some useful opinions and answers.

Bruce
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[meerkat15]

Thanks Bruce. I'm in Boston which is not a right to work state. The radio show I do currently is non-union - it is produced by an independent production company, but this new TV show project (which is based on the radio show) is union. I would be providing off-camera announcing at the opening of the show. Since it is a series they tell me I cannot be waivered and must join AFTRA. I've been told by them I will still be allowed to do the radio show, which is a steady gig, but I don't see how this is possible since the radio show is non-union. Figuring out what is allowed and not allowed as an AFTRA member is confusing. You mentioned "locally made and played spots" might be allowed and I wasn't sure what that meant. If you have a chance I'd love to hear more.

[tackerman]

I wish there was an easier answer to this. I'm going through a similar problem. Let us know how it turns out!

[Deirdre]

Believe it or not, radio stations are NOT under the AFTRA blanket, so a union guy can work at a non-union station any time.

I'm very friendly with the honchos in the Boston local.
Write to me via e-mail and I'll put you in touch with people who can explain it easily.
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