The impact is going to vary by region. In New York City, you have Showcase Code, Cabaret Code, etc. that provide low-paying jobs that allow actors to built their work and get involved with projects at early stages of development even when they cannot get work that will support them financially. New York actors do not have much reason NOT to join Equity.
Outside of New York, the types of contracts are more limited with no equivalent to these NYC contracts available. Actors sometimes do find limitations in amount and style of work available. So these actors do sometimes leave the union (which they probably would not if they were in NYC).
Because contracts vary from city to city, members issues vary from city to city. |
