Union vs. Non-Union: Balancing Budget with Experience on Tight Projects

Hey everyone,

I'm Darius, a Best Boy Electric, and I'm wrestling with a decision on an upcoming short. It's a passion project for a friend; we've got a decent script, but the budget is, well, tight. I've been trying to squeeze every dollar, negotiating better rates for our lights like a couple of SkyPanel S60-Cs and a Forza 720B, and we even got a decent deal on an ALEXA Mini package.

The director is pushing for the best possible crew, which I get, but every dollar we spend on crew means less for locations or post. I've heard the talk about sourcing cheaper talent or really pushing for kit rental deals, and I'm doing that where I can. My main question is: when the budget is razor-thin, how do you all decide between bringing on a non-union crew who might be more affordable but potentially less experienced, versus trying to stretch for a more seasoned, union team? Is there a point where the cost savings aren't worth the potential headaches or slower pace?