While still a bit sluggish from the illness, I'll be heading into the Big Apple to become a registered member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artist. This is a professional union that represents, according to their website, performers in:....broadcast, public and cable television (news, sports and weather; drama and comedy, soaps, talk and variety shows, documentaries, children's programming, reality and game shows); radio (news, commercials, hosted programs); sound recordings (CDs, singles, Broadway cast albums, audio books); "non-broadcast" and industrial material as well as Internet and digital programming.This will lock me into a higher rate of pay for any work I do in these mediums (but I can't sing or do the weather so scratch those) and afford me numerous protections and benefits. It also allows me to continue working on Nurse Jackie as core background and as a stand-in when needed. The latter is nice and very important because it gets me some great experience and higher pay. I have enjoyed my brief stand-in work thus far.
Probably the most important goal I'm working for when joining this union is making enough to get health benefits. Being sick recently reminded me of the need for a doctor because, hey, you never know when swine flu or something will strike. Not that I contracted that, but, you know...I have access to health care which is important to me. But there's all sorts of other things the union can help out with like grants, housing assistance or discounts on acting classes. It's amazing how much stuff they can do. So, it should be a pretty interesting day and another step toward chasing the dream.
Hope your Monday has started off well.
