As with almost everything in life, membership of an artistic guild comes with its pros and cons.
Explanation:
PROS
<em>Protection:</em>
It is impossible to gain access to somethings in the industry as a stand-alone artist. Membership of the guild ensures for instance that one is guaranteed a minimum wage at the least.
Many artists are given premium treatment when they are being engaged but treated like lepers when its time to pay-up for services rendered. Guild membership helps to correct that.
Other benefits for those in paid jobs include but are not limited to Healthcare and Pension.
Arts in most of it's forms as well as credits for same,. are very easy to steal Guild membership also guarantees that the artist gets and enjoys the benefits of getting the credit for their work.
For newcomers into the industry, joining a guild guarantees a soft landing as well ease of access /navigation through the industry, information and networking opportunities.
Reward from creative rights are also great incentives for joining an artistic guild
<em>Residuals</em>
Residuals are financial compensation paid to artists especially those in the moVie industry such as actor, directors and other personnel involved in the makting of a particular movies, and or Television show whenever such works are streamed online, watched at a cinema, re-run or further distributed via other means.
Most non-guild artists may never get such wonderful incentives. However, membership to a guild can guarantee that they do because most guilds are involves in the formation, and compliance with these kind of industry regulations.
CONS
Strong Control Over ones Career/Job
Because the guild is powerful and highly networked, they can decide whether or not you get to keep a job, whether or not the company you work for remains part of the guild etc.
In many cases, if ones organization is not yet a member of the guild, they can insist that you cannot become a member until the organization that has just hired you joins the guild
