Guilds, Unions & Trade Associations
Guilds
AES – Audio Engineering Society – The only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology.
AMPS – The Association of Motion Picture Sound – AMPS was founded to establish an organisation where those engaged in the various crafts of motion picture sound could exchange information, endeavour to solve common problems and keep abreast of rapidly changing technology.
The Directors Guild – The Guild represents directors in all media: film, television, theatre, radio, opera, commercials, corporate, multimedia and new technology.
Guild of British Camera Technicians – The Guild is dedicated to upholding standards in the film and television industries, whilst seeking to progress through innovation.
The Guild of Television Cameramen – The GTC is a non–profit organisation and it is an authoritative source of advice and information on all matters concerning television cameramen.
The Guild of Vision Mixers – Their aims are the maintenance & improvement of the status of vision mixers, the advancement of their skills and the preservation of professional standards in television production.
Institute of Broadcast Sound – The IBS has become an important forum for all audio professionals working within broadcasting in production and post production.
PLASA – It was established to provide commercial benefits to a business community, whilst improving working practices and advancing levels of safety and training within the entertainment, presentation, installation and communications industries.
PMA – Production Managers Association – Professional body that provides training, job opportunities and support for experienced production managers working in film, television, corporate and multimedia production.
Production Guild – The Guild is the leading industry association representing and servicing the interests of the largest and most experienced group of senior production personnel in the UK's Feature Film, TV and visual media industry.
Writers' Guild of Great Britain – The Guild represents writers in TV, film, radio, theatre, animation and books. Members benefit from access to specialist advice and information, legal services, regular events and publications.
Unions
BECTU – Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) is the independent union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied industries who are primarily based in the United Kingdom.
British Actors Equity Association – Equity is the Trade Union representing artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. Visit their site for details of the benefits of joining and how to join as well as useful information such as details of rates for the various industry agreements.
GET – GreenNet Educational Trust – From the home page of the GET website you can follow links to organisations representing media workers within the UK and Ireland, to global media resources, and to other unions and labour movement organisations.
London Freelance Branch – London Freelance Branch is the National Union of Journalists' largest grouping. The website has useful resources for freelancers, including guidelines and a link to the freelance directory .
The Musicians' Union – is the Trade Union which secures and protects the rights of performing musicians in the UK. The site contains the latest articles from the Union's newsletter, Musician, gives details of how to join and contains essential advice regarding managers, contracts, gigging abroad and much more.
NUJ – National Union of Journalists – NUJ website contains details of how to join, Union benefits, training information and current news.
Trade Associations
BIMA – British Interactive Media Association – BIMA represent the interactive media industry and, by support, education and encouragement, to maintain and raise the standards of excellence.
TIGA – The Independent Games Developers Trade Association. Offers events, services, and other benefits for independent companies. TIGA Scotland represents members working in the Scottish games cluster.
CRCA – Commercial Radio Companies Association – The trade body for UK commercial radio, it organises training for radio producers and workshops for presenters.
CTBF – The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund – The British trade charity of the film, cinema and commercial television industries give practical and financial assistance to anyone from the industries who needs it.
Film Distributors' Association – The association promotes a distribution perspective on cinema industry issues and offers a range of support services to distributors and the industry.
IBS – Institute of Broadcast Sound – The IBS has become an important forum for all audio professionals working within broadcasting in production and post production, including many freelancers.
BKSTS – The Moving Image Society is an international organisation of members which represents the interests of all those who are creatively and technologically involved in the business of providing moving images in any form and through any media.
IVCA – International Visual Communications Association – The Association promotes and represents Commissioners, Creatives, Freelances, Hire and Facility Companies and Partnership Programs who need to be kept abreast of the very latest communication developments.
PACT – Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television – PACT serves the film and independent TV, animation and new media production sectors and is the UK contact point for international co–production or co–financial partners and distributors. Members are given training opportunities and a range of business advice and services.
PSA – The website of the Production Services Association is a membership organisation representing the professional interests of both freelance technical production personnel, and service companies. See their site for details of how to join and the benefits of doing so.
The Radio Academy Members of the Radio Academy benefit from being part of a group of peers and colleagues across the industry. The Radio Academy is the only social and business link to bridge BBC and commercial radio.
The Royal Television Society (RTS) The Royal Television Society is the leading forum for discussion and debate on all aspects of the television community. In a fast changing sector, it reflects the full range of perspectives and views.
Women in Film & Television (WFTV) exists to protect and enhance the status, interests and diversity of women working at all levels in both film, television and digital media industries.
The Association of Photographers (AOP) – The AOP brings professional photographers together, protecting their rights and promoting photography. The AOP campaigns for all photographers and provides a comprehensive package of benefits, products and services to its members.
