Question about non-union and SAG actors

K

Kugar13

Well-known member
Hello all,

I am currently working on a non-union indie film. We have numerous SAG actors, close friends, who want to work on the project although we are unable to allow them to do so. I would never risk my film or an actor's standing with SAG, but I do know people that do. SAG actors who work on non-union films are subject to fines by SAG, possibly worse, but what ill will befalls the production company? I hope to better inform my fellow local film makers and actors to prevent them from making mistakes that they will later regret.

Thank you kindly
 
Nothing. If you don't sign the SAG contract, you are not obligated for anything in the contract. You are free to negotiate for whomever you please. It is the actors themselves who risk reprisals.
 
Cyclone is correct. SAG exists solely to protect (and potentially punish) the actors. They have no jurisdiction over the production.

Chris
 
Kugar13 said:
Hello all,

I am currently working on a non-union indie film. We have numerous SAG actors, close friends, who want to work on the project although we are unable to allow them to do so. I would never risk my film or an actor's standing with SAG, but I do know people that do. SAG actors who work on non-union films are subject to fines by SAG, possibly worse, but what ill will befalls the production company? I hope to better inform my fellow local film makers and actors to prevent them from making mistakes that they will later regret.

Thank you kindly
Click to expand...
Why don't you just do a SAG low budget agreement? SAG's only requirement is that you obtain workers comp insurance to cover the actors. Last policy I got for a film was around $500 and was good for 3 months. Then you just have to fill out a lot of paperwork in triplicate. Check out www.sagindie.com for the details. It's worth it for your piece of mind and the actors.

As for repercussions if you use SAG actors in a non union indie? SAG can come down on the actors, but of all the actors I've seen hauled in by them for working non union during the strike, none of them we so much as fined. Lots of threats, but no bite.

For the production company? Really not much they can do. They could deny you the use of SAG actors on a future project where you want to use them and jump through the hoops. But I can't think of any instance where I've actually seen this happen. And I've seen some pretty bad production companies get away with a lot of stuff (to where the cops where after them for rolling into neighborhoods and setting up without permits, and SAG was after them for never paying actors) and they are still out and making movies today.

At most, SAG want's it's money. So what I've seen them do is make you pay all the actors Pension and Health up front, and try to force you to pay them their entire salaries up front also. Basically making sure they get paid in full, and first.

Of course, they'd have to catch you first. And knowing their bureaucracy, I'd be surprised if they ever noticed. Unless you won an Oscar or something.

This is just what I've seen though.
 
sag actors

sag actors

I was casting for a non-union shoot too, and when talking to SAG actors that were interested, they said they could just change the spelling on their names if they really wanted to be in the movie. That's one option you could bring up if you want to use these actors, but they don't want to bring attention to themselves from the union.
 
Over this past summer, I worked with a SAG actor. Because I ive in a small town, it was no big deal, and their was no worry about being caught by the SAG for his participation in a non-union production.
 
Thank you

Thank you

Everyone thank you for your speedy reply. You assistance has been most helpful!
 
On the topic of non-union productions..

I've heard some horror stories regarding non-union shoots being shut down or terrorized by union crew.

I'm hoping this relates to non-union productions attempting to use union crew, but I can't help but fear that teamsters and the like might try something upon simply seeing any rogue film crew shooting out and about.

Any thoughts or experiences concerning this matter?
 
In the world that most of us video professionals live in, not for theatrical/dramatic distribution and shooting on video rather than film, we can use SAG folks on video productions at whatever rate we agree upon. It's AFTRA that we have to adhere to.

As for the whole union vs. non-union thing, there's been tons of ink (pixels) dedicated to that elsewhere. I'm oversimplifying, but basically you either have a union set or a non-union set, and that's up to you (there are provisions for exceptions). People in the union receive benefits which you pay for, and they adhere to certain working conditions and hours, etc. beyond which you pay penalites. Goes for crew and actors both. These are not "gangs" going around town bashing skulls and extorting productions.

In smaller markets like mine, it's actually a bit of a disadvantage for actors to be AFTRA members cuz most of us can't very often afford the extra 35ish% they cost, so they don't get as much consistent corporate/industrial work that's most actors' bread and butter. SAG is not a problem, cuz there's not much film shot around here on a daily basis anyway, and they can still come do my $500/day gigs.
 
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