Robert Rodriguez dropped out of the Directors union because they threatened to shut his film down for violating their rules. What powers do they actually have?
Presumably, they could force a strike by other workers, true? Are pretty much all movie jobs unionized and accountable to either the same union or tightly-intertwined unions?
Do they also have agreements or leverage over distribution companies or other key players? What other leverage do they hold?
Supposedly, Quentin Tarrentino isn’t a member of the Directors union either. How is he able to make movies without harassment? It can’t be that he makes movies with no union members. He’s got plenty of big names and I’m sure they must be unionized.
What pressures befall someone in the industry that doesn’t want to affiliate with the union(s)? If an actor for example wants to be non-union, can he get roles? Or do unions dictate that all acting roles go to union workers?
Thanks.