Join/Membership Overview

When joining the Costume Designers Guild, members become part of a community of costume designers, including assistant costume designers and costume illustrators. Membership offers valuable networking opportunities, as well as vital protections guaranteed by our union contracts. It provides an opportunity to form lifelong personal relationships with other artists who share everyday livelihoods, shared interests, and concerns.

Additionally, you become a part of an even larger entity – the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Pictures Technicians and Allied Crafts of the United States, its territories and Canada (IATSE), an organization over 150,000 members strong!

 

BENEFITS & FEES:
The advantages of Membership with Local 892, Costume Designers Guild, representing Costume Designers, Assistant Costume Designers and Costume Illustrators include the following:

 

Fair Wages and Decent Working Conditions

Working for union shows automatically guarantees set wages and work conditions. Field representatives are available to answer all your questions regarding rules pertaining to our contract and will ensure that all contractual provisions are adhered to on your behalf.

 

Health and Welfare Benefits

A choice of medical plans paid for by your employer in accordance with our agreements. Members employed under the Motion Picture Basic Agreement are covered under the Motion Picture Health, Welfare and Pension Plans. Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plan

Standardized Procedures for Dispute Resolution and Grievances

Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director and legal counsel are available to respond to serious problems in the workplace. Local 892 is well prepared to handle work related grievances such as pay disputes, health and safety concerns, discrimination, harassment, etc.

Safer Working Conditions

State and federal safety laws enforced at all times. Your health and well being on the job is a priority. the motion picture industry and the IATSE are currently involved in providing the safety passport program, which enables our members to take safety classes required to work in their particular craft. Once a member has completed the classes, the passport may allow the member to use this training for employment within the various studios. www.csatf.org

Available for Work List

We offer all prospective union employers 24/7 access to the Guild’s database of members’ information. Member details are created and maintained online by the members themselves. The database search results include the member’s name, contact information, website, resume, skills, and references. The search functionality includes the ability to find members by name, classification or availability.

Magazine: The Costume Designer

The Costume Designer, a bi-monthly magazine that covers all aspects of the guild, including featured members, current activism, industry and labor news, interviews, and updates on Guild business.

 

Members Resources

The Guild provides a wealth of resources that include: wages and contracts, studio services, signatory lists, literature, training courses and industry links.

 

CDG Awards Ceremony

The Guild honors its members at a glamorous awards ceremony each year in February celebrating the artistry of costume design.

 

Costume Designer Membership Requirements & Costs

You must meet one of the requirements listed under the classifications below. Upon acceptance of application and documentation, an in-person interview may be conducted.

1. Assistant Costume Designer on a non-union production that was organized into a union production by the IATSE. Independent documentation of credit from a deal memo, crew list, DVD with credits, or call sheet must be provided.

2. Assistant Costume Designer, Costume Supervisor, or Costumer on at least one (1) feature motion picture or television production, commercial or music video for commercial release, with independent documentation from a deal memo, crew list, DVD screenshot with credits or call sheet and three (3) signed letters of recommendation from Costume Designers, Line Producers, or Directors that you have worked for in the capacity of the assistant costume designer. Live entertainment (theatre, pageants, etc.) are covered by other union locals.

Membership Costs:

Important Payment Information: Payments will be scheduled based on your chosen payment option below (1, 2, or 3). Your first quarter dues is wrapped into the total fees listed below.  Thereafter, you will then be responsible for maintaining your future quarterly dues based on the following schedule: Quarterly dues fall on the 1st of January, April, July, and October.

Entrance Fee $3,750.00
First Quarter Dues $284.77
IATSE Processing Fee $100.00
Sketch Stamp $25.00

TOTAL DUE $4,159.77

Payment options

1. Pay the total of $4,159.77 upon notice of membership acceptance. Payment method – Check, Cashier’s Check, or Credit Card.

2. Pay $2,079.89 (1/2 entrance fee) AND within 45 days pay $2,079.88 Payment method – Check, Cashier’s Check or Credit Card.

3. Pay $2,079.87 upon notice of membership acceptance AND $693.30 will be automatically charged to a credit card for the next 3 consecutive months. This option requires providing valid Credit Card information (which will not expire during the payment period) at the time of the initial payment. *There is a 3% convenience fee for all charges.

Costume Illustrator Membership Requirements & Cost

1. Three (3) signed letters of recommendation from Costume Designers, employers or other professionals who are knowledgeable about your skills directly related to costume illustration.

Membership Costs:

Important Payment Information: Payments will be scheduled based on your chosen payment option below (1, 2, or 3). Your first quarter dues is wrapped into the total fees listed below.  Thereafter, you will then be responsible for maintaining your future quarterly dues based on the following schedule: Quarterly dues fall on the 1st of January, April, July, and October.

Entrance Fee $3,500.00
First Quarter Dues $235.11
IATSE Processing Fee $100.00
Sketch Stamp $25.00
TOTAL DUE $3,860.11

Payment options

1. Pay the total of $3,860.11 upon notice of membership acceptance. Payment method – Check, Cashier’s Check, or Credit Card.

2. Pay $1,930.05 (1/2 entrance fee) AND within 45 days pay remaining $1,930.06. Payment method – Check, Cashier’s Check or Credit Card.

3. Pay $1,930.06 upon notice of membership acceptance AND $643.35 will be automatically charged to a credit card for the next 3 consecutive months. This option requires providing valid Credit Card information (which will not expire during the payment period) at the time of the initial payment.  *There is a 3% convenience fee for all charges.

USA Local 829 Costume Designer joining Local 892 as a Costume Designer Membership Requirements & Cost

1. Member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 applying to join Local 892 in the Costume Designer classification and providing documentation of good standing with Local 829 at the time of application.

2. Three signed letters of recommendation from Costume Designers, Line Producers, or Directors that you have worked for in the capacity of costume designer.

Membership Costs:

Important Payment Information: Payments will be scheduled based on your chosen payment option below (1, 2, or 3). Your first quarter dues is wrapped into the total fees listed below.  Thereafter, you will then be responsible for maintaining your future quarterly dues based on the following schedule: Quarterly dues fall on the 1st of January, April, July, and October.

Entrance Fee $3,250.00
First Quarter Dues $345.99
IATSE Processing Fee $100.00
Sketch Stamp $25.00
TOTAL DUE $3,720.99

Payment options

1. Pay the total of $3,720.99 upon notice of membership acceptance. Payment method – Check, Cashier’s Check, or Credit Card.

2. Pay $1,860.50 (1/2 entrance fee) AND within 45 days pay remaining $1,860.49. Payment method –“ Check, Cashier’s Check or Credit Card.

3. Pay $1,860.51 upon notice of membership acceptance AND $620.16 will be automatically charged to a credit card for the next 3 consecutive months. This option requires providing valid Credit Card information (which will not expire during the payment period) at the time of the initial payment. *There is a 3% convenience fee for all charges.