Joining a Film Union · IATSE
Grip / Electric: how to join IATSE
Grip and electric build and control light and camera support: the rigging, dollies, cranes, and flags, and every lamp on the set. You join the IATSE studio-mechanics local for your market with documented workdays, references, and, in some locals, proof of residency.
Good to know
Grip and electric are regional, not one national local, so which card you carry depends on where you work: Local 80 grips and Local 728 lighting in Los Angeles, Local 479 across Georgia, Local 481 in New England, and so on. Several locals run roster and residency rules, so the first move is finding the studio-mechanics local for your market and learning its specific day and referral requirements.
Roles in this craft
The jobs that make up this craft, each with its own page on pay, the day-to-day, and how to break in.
How to join, step by step
Know your union
- Grip and electric are regional: Local 80 grips and 728 lighting in LA, Local 479 in Georgia, Local 481 in New England, and so on.
- Find the studio-mechanics local for your market.
Learn the gear and get on crews
- Rigging, dollies, cranes, flags, and lamps: build hands-on skill on smaller shows.
- Reliability and safety get you hired back.
Work covered days
- In LA, covered days register with Contract Services; other locals set their own day and referral rules.
- Right-to-work states let you build days as a non-member.
Roster and join
- Meet your local's day, referral, and (in some) residency requirements to join.
- Keep call sheets and pay stubs.
What you’ll need
- Documented workdays: call sheets and pay stubs from every show
- References (Georgia's 479 wants four; two from active members)
- Application + initiation funds (479: about $100 + $1,400)
- Residency proof where required (479: about 18 months in GA/AL)
Find your local
IATSE membership runs through a local for your market. Look up the one that covers where you work on the union’s site.