Information is presented on several trade organizations including the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the Recording Academy, the Writers Guild of America West, the Directors Guild of America, the

1. Audio, Film, Animation and Game
Organizations
Amber Murphy, Dalton Barnes, Devon Sanderson, Kyle Gonzales

2. American Society of Composers, Authors
and Publishers

3. Benefits
Cost
Health Care, Insurance, Travel, Discounts
Keeping Track of Royalties
Daily Updates on Industry Foresights
Cost is $50 for Writers, $50 For Publishers, $100 for
Both

4. Ascap EXPO
A yearly Weekend Event including Panels,
Performances, Masterclasses, Q&As, and the latest
music gear

6. Type of Membership
Voting Professional
● Two recommendations from music industry peers
● At least 12 credits in the category for which you’d like to qualify,
with at least one credit occurring within the previous five years (the
Recording Academy will accept six credits if proof of physical
distribution can be provided)—this is excluding intros, outros, and
interludes
● Credits on recordings that are currently distributed through
recognized online music retailers or music streaming services,
defined as paid, full catalogue, audio-only, on-demand streaming,
and/or limited download subscription services
● Verifiable documentation of credits (linear notes, etc..)
● Career substantiation through independently verifiable
documentation, including but not limited to chart/sales information,
Established, active website/social media/online presence. If
pertinent to your craft, we seek current and historical touring
dates/performances, fan base interaction, current band/artist
information, music videos, music/media player with current
releases available, etc, Active marketing and promotional
collateral,Press releases/press kits,Reviews of performances by
recognized print or online magazines, and Press interviews
● Two recommendations from music industry peers
● An active, primary career in the recorded music industry
● Career substantiation through independently verifiable
documentation, including but not limited to: Artist roster list,
Published biography or resume, Professional awards or honors,
and band/artist website

7. Student ● Attend a music school or technical audio
training institution
● Major or minor in Music, Entertainment,
Music Business, or related field
● Plan to work in the music industry upon
graduation. Current coursework must be
applicable to the music industry. Candidates
who use this option must call the Recording
Academy’s Membership Department

8. Benefits
Cost
Grammy Pro, Tickets to Private Events, Invitation to
Grammys, Health Insurance, Discounts, and
Workshops
Cost is $100

9. Call To Action
If you are a songwriter, Music Executive, Producer,
Engineer, Composer, or Label Owner you should join
both of these great organizations

10. Writing guild of
America west
The writers guild of america is an
organization focused on the
betterment, development and
protection of writers for various forms
of media.
They not only offer a number of
services and benefits for current
writers but also organize a number of
events to aid fledgling writers and
those whom are interested in starting a
future career as a writer.
Agency code of conduct clients over
conflicts.

11. Benefits of joining
the writers guild of
america west
The writers guild of america enforces contracts
between employers and writers and makes sure that
writers receive a fair deal and proper recognition.
Provides information on a number of events and
panels to provide information and perspective.
Provide pension and health benefits.
They aid in protecting your financial and creative
rights.

12. How to join the
writers guild of
america west
You must have worked or be working for a company
that has acquiesced to the guilds rules as a ‘signatory’
company.
You can then gain an associate membership at a cost
of $100 a year for three years.
If you wish to be a full member you must adhere to a
unit system the guild has and acquire a total of 24
units within three years.
You can then become a full member by paying a fee of
$2500.

13. Call to action
If you are a writer or aim to have any future in writing
you should join the writers guild of america.
They can provide you with a number of resources to
improve your craft as well as many chances for gainful
employment.

14. Directors guild of
america
The directors guild of america is a
guild focusing the artform of film and
all that encompasses it.
They act to support directors as well as
aid them in spreading their knowledge
to future generations through a variety
of media.

15. Benefits of joining
the directors guild
of america
For a beginning benefit members receive economic
reassurance. As the DGA negotiates and sets proper
wages and salary for workers.
The DGA also works to protect the creative rights of
directors and ensure they have the rights to be a part
of the full creative process of the films they work in.
Pension and relief plans are also allowed once a
member meets the requirements to receive them.

16. How to join the
DGA
Upon the DGA's receipt of a deal memo or commercial
project listing form (“CPLF”) from a DGA signatory
Employer which confirms your bona fide employment
in a DGA-covered category, you will be sent an
application for membership which will include your
required initiation fee and other information.
DGA Initiation Fees
(July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)
DGA Category
Initiation Fee
Director:
Feature/Television $12,337.00
Director:
Commercial, Documentary,
Low Budget Feature, Staff,
Segment $3,500.00
Unit Production Manager $11,254.00
1st Assistant Director $10,704.00

17. Call to action
The DGA is a very prestigious guild that not only
focuses on their given application but all facets of
filmmaking.
They can offer a great many benefits to all whom are
members along with granting a number of
opportunities for work and education.

18. International Game
Developer
Association
IGDA’s mission is to make game
development a sustainable, fulfilling
career for anyone and everyone with
the desire to pursue it.
From the industry veterans to those
still learning Python, the IGDA wants to
help see you succeed in your career as
well as your future

19. Benefits for joining
the International
Game Developer
Association
Gain the ability to network with hundreds of individuals
that share the same passion for game development as
you.
Get your voice heard through participating in the
IGDA’s Special Interest Groups and by taking annual
surveys that share your views on your career, well
being and how the industry is going and what issues
you may have.
Gain exclusive access to their libraries that are full of
useful information that can help boost your career,
teach you new methods of creating and more.
Get discounts on select professional game dev
software, on attending events and to the GDC Vault.

20. How to Join
Simply create an account with the IGDA and pay for
the membership that works the best for you.
Individual Core Member - 1 yr. (US$60 annually)
Individual Core Member - 2 yr. (US$100 every two years)
Lifetime Membership US$1,000)
Student Member (US$30 annually)
Emerging Market Member (US$30 annually)
Hardship Member (US$30 annually)

21. Call to Action
If a game developer wants to connect with others in
their field, have access to a bountiful amount of
resources that can help further their career as well as
have their voice heard about the industry, then IGDA is
an organization that is worth considering.

22. Games For Change
Games for Change strives to empower
game creators and social innovators to
drive real-world change using games
and technology that help people to
learn, improve their communities, and
contribute to make the world a better
place.

23. Benefits for joining
Games for Change
Joining Games for Change allows one to create
impactful work for meaningful causes such as charity,
helping youth and advancing education.
Free Access to their all their available resources such
as books, essays, blogs, grant opportunities and more.

24. How to Join
If you’d like to join, all’s one must do is contact Games
for Change. They will help get you in contact with the
right people so that you can use your talents to the
best of your abilites.

25. Call to Action
If you’re a game developer that want to make a
difference in communities, address social change,
assist in the education of youth, then Games For
Change is for you.

26. The Animation
Guild
Overview:
The Animation Guild is a labor organization the
represents animators. The Animation Guild helps
negotiate wages, working conditions and provide
pensions and Health care.

27. How to Join
When a person is hired the Guild gets notified then
sends a membership package to the new hire.
Only employee’s may be invited to join the guild. Even
if the employee is fired they can still keep the
membership.

28. Benefits/ Costs Benefits: For the Animation guild the benefits of joining is
mostly having the resources available. Access to a job
board for the members, online training, 401k and health
care.
Costs: One time sign up fee of $100 and monthly
costs for the membership.

29. Call to action
If an animator want the security of having good
working conditions, decent pay, health care and a
pension.
The Animation Guild can provide good resource for
member in the industry.

30. PMS Clan
Overview:
The PSM clan is a video game community to break the
stereotypes when it comes to women in gaming.

31. How to Join
Anyone can join!
No requirements are needed. Any age, race, gender,
and professional background can join!
Just sign up online!

32. Benefits/Costs
No cost at all!
After signing up members have access to there
discords, exclusive contests, tournaments, giveaways,
Play live on the PSM Clan twitch channel, create
competitive teams with members, and much more!

33. Call to action
The PSM Clan is a good organization if one wants to
make connections and make changes in the gaming
industry.

34. Infographic