entertainment industry coach Question 473:I'm an actor and got yelled at for moving something on a set that was in my way in the scene. What gives?

What gives? A Union member whose job it is to move the set pieces, I imagine. Just like your Union (SAG and/or AFTRA) has rules to protect you, your position as an actor, your rights, and your safety, other Unions have rules to protect their members' jobs.

On non-union, low-budget sets, you may find yourself acting one minute and moving sandbags the next, but when you step up to Union productions, you have one job to do and that's act. If you need your sandwich replaced for continuity, the script supervisor will let the prop department know.

Instead of being put off by it, be empowered knowing that there are organizations out there working to preserve the jobs of all of their members.

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entertainment industry coach question 334: How do I become a movie extra?

Well, first of all the term is now "background talent" or "background artist/performer." And the answer is there are agencies that you can Google, depending on where you live. There are SAG and AFTRA regulations that apply.

First you would start out working non-union, which means the alloted contracted union workers would be hired first and then if they needed more the producers could hire non-union.

I suggest calling SAG and/or AFTRA to learn more.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

question 187: How do I get into the Union?

This particular person is referring to the MPEG (Editors Guild), but I will answer it generally because there are different criteria for different Unions. Here are just SOME of the entertainment Unions: SAG, AFTRA, WGA, DGA, IATSE (which covers most below the line unions such as Locals 600, 700, 80, and many many more).

So first of all, you have to research the website of the union you're interested in. If it's "hair and makeup" or "production design" and you don't know how to find them, check with IATSE.

Once you know what union you want to join, check their website to see if they have the instructions for joining. If not, call the union and ask to be connected to the person who can give you new member information.

Deciding whether it's the right time for you to join the union is a whole other topic, one I covered early on, so check the archives.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, the Greenlight Coach, visit www.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com