Supporting Artistes · Film & TV · UK
Join The FAA
A simple guide created by Supporting Artistes to help others join the Film Artistes Association (a branch of Bectu).
Find Out More
Supporting Artistes · Film & TV · UK
A simple guide created by Supporting Artistes to help others join the Film Artistes Association (a branch of Bectu).
Find Out MoreBenefits
The Film Artistes Association (FAA) is your trade union for Supporting Artistes working on film & TV productions within a 40-mile radius of Charing Cross. The FAA is a branch of Bectu (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union), which is part of their parent trade union, Prospect.
Bectu membership gives you support and real protection, and a collective voice in an industry where that matters.
The FAA-Pact agreement and ratecard are negotiated by members of the FAA committee with support from a Bectu official. The committee are elected by the FAA membership, and FAA members get to vote on changes to the ratecard and the agreement.
The FAA-Pact agreement and ratecard cover productions filming within the FAA zone — a 40-mile radius of Charing Cross — and any productions outside the zone which are advertised as FAA jobs.
Your Bectu committee members and officials negotiate your pay rates with Pact (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television) on behalf of FAA members, ensuring agreed rates are in place for covered productions.
Your Bectu committee members and officials represent members in negotiations with Pact (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television), the producers' trade body for independent content producers in feature film and television.
Access support and advice if you face issues on set — from unsafe conditions to disputes over pay or treatment.
Connect with fellow Supporting Artistes who understand the realities of the job and are working to improve conditions for everyone.
Bectu membership is recognised across covered productions as a mark of professionalism and commitment to agreed industry standards.
As part of Prospect, members can access the Prospect Plus scheme with savings on Apple, Dell, travel insurance, airport parking, gym memberships, foreign exchange, and much more.
Purchase a TOTUM Pro card (formerly NUS card) for access to hundreds of discounts on the high street and online — including 10% at Co-op, ASOS, Deliveroo, Disney+, BT and more.
Bectu members save £5 on BFI membership. Quote "Bectu" by phone or at the BFI counter. BFI members get priority access to film tickets and exclusive screenings in London.
Step by Step
Go to bectu.org.uk/join and follow the 6 stages below. We have filled in exactly what to write at each step so there is no guesswork.
Quick Join
Scan this QR code to go straight to the Bectu membership page — then follow the steps below to fill it in correctly.
How would you describe your employment status?
Write: Self Employed / Freelancer
Name or membership number of person who asked you to join — optional, share who told you if you would like to.
You will see a box where Bectu states it may not be able to help with problems that occurred before you became a member (other than in exceptional circumstances). This is standard — just proceed.
Fill in your personal details: Title, First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Gender.
Personal Email, Work Email (optional), tick your preferred email box, Special Offers tick box, Address, Phone Number.
Check your email afterwards to confirm your address.
Job Title: FILM ARTISTE
Department: Leave blank
Which Area Do You Work In? TV PRODUCTION & FILM (LONDON)
Branch: FAA
How Much Are You Paid Yearly: Enter your annual SA income (e.g. £1000).
Bectu's form jumps directly from Stage 4 to Stage 6. There is nothing to fill in here — just continue to the next page.
Discount Code: Leave blank
How Would You Like To Pay? Direct Debit (£5 a month)
Your Personal Account? Yes
Enter your Account Name, Account Number and Sort Code.
Accept the Terms & Conditions and submit. A brief optional diversity questionnaire follows.
You will receive a confirmation email, a Direct Debit will be set up, and your new membership number will follow. Welcome to the FAA! 🎬
What To Expect
Joining is just the beginning. Here is what to expect once your membership is confirmed.
You'll receive a membership confirmation from Bectu with your membership number and login details for the member portal.
Log in to manage your subscription, update your details, and access the full FAA-PACT agreement and ratecard. Members are currently sent a hard copy version of the agreement and ratecard when they first join.
You can reference your FAA membership and/or the FAA agreement & ratecards on productions straight away if you want to. You do not have to disclose your membership status.
The FAA holds member meetings throughout the year. Meetings provide updates on work done by Bectu-FAA, and members can vote on major issues and take part in elections for the FAA Chair and Committee.
If you have a workplace dispute or pay issue, contact Bectu's support team. Members have access to legal support and representation (subject to the merits of the potential claim).
As part of Prospect, members receive discounts via the Prospect Plus scheme — including savings on Apple, travel insurance, gym memberships, and more.
Who We Are
This project was created by working Supporting Artistes who wanted to make the joining process clearer and more accessible for everyone in our community.
Navigating union membership for the first time can feel daunting. We have been through it ourselves and put this guide together so you do not have to figure it out alone. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just straightforward information from people who do the same work you do.
Common Questions
The questions Supporting Artistes actually ask when considering joining the FAA.
No — you do not need to be currently on a booking or have a certain number of credits to join. The FAA is open to anyone working as a Supporting Artiste in UK film and TV. Joining early means you are protected from day one when work comes in.
Yes. Being registered with a supporting artiste agency and being an FAA member are completely separate things. Your agency places you in work; the FAA protects your rights and pay when you are on set. You can — and should — be both signed up with an agency and a Bectu member.
The Film Artistes Association (FAA) is a specialist branch within Bectu specifically for Supporting Artistes. Bectu is itself part of the Prospect trade union. When you join the FAA you join through Bectu and become part of all three — the FAA branch, Bectu, and Prospect. The FAA and Bectu are branded parts of Prospect; you are joining Prospect when you join Bectu as an FAA member.
The FAA-Pact agreement covers productions filming within the FAA zone — a 40-mile radius of Charing Cross, London. Productions outside of the FAA zone which are advertised as FAA jobs should be applying the FAA agreement and rates in their entirety. Alternatively, they can use the Equity-Pact Supporting Artiste agreement in its entirety outside the FAA zone. Productions should not be cherry-picking different bits of different agreements and ratecards. Note that trade union law does not permit a closed shop policy, meaning productions cannot exclusively require FAA members only.
If you are a Bectu member and have concerns about pay or conditions on a production, contact Bectu's London Production Division team at lpd@bectu.org.uk. You may be asked to fill out an FAA Case Form in order to proceed with your query.
No — Bectu members voted to no longer assist with pre-existing issues, but please make sure to join so you can be assisted with any future queries.
Yes. Bectu membership can be cancelled at any time by contacting the membership team at membership@bectu.org.uk or calling 0300 600 1878. Note that you will lose access to member support and protections upon cancellation.
No. This is an independent project run by Supporting Artistes to help others navigate the joining process. It is not affiliated with Bectu, the FAA, or any union. For official information, always refer to bectu.org.uk.
Further Reading
Links to help you learn more about the FAA, Bectu, and your rights as a Supporting Artiste.
The official Bectu membership page — start your application here and select the FAA branch.
bectu.org.uk/join →If you are a Bectu member and have a query about pay, conditions, or the FAA, you can email Bectu's London Production Division team at lpd@bectu.org.uk. Please note Bectu cannot advise on pre-existing issues.
Email the FAA Team →Want to receive an automated email about how to join the FAA? Email joinfaa@bectu.org.uk. Please note this inbox is not monitored.
Email FAA →Independent Project — Not Affiliated with Bectu or any Union. This website is an independent resource created by Supporting Artistes. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Bectu, the Film Artistes Association, or any other trade union or industry body, and is not intended to replace official resources. All contents and information are provided in good faith for guidance purposes only — always verify the latest official information at bectu.org.uk. This is a voluntary, community-run project. Last reviewed April 2026.