Release forms. Help! Any other forms, paperwork, required by distributors?

Let me check into that Blaine because the ULB contract is listed as no step up fees...Just checked the website but I'll check my contract...this was a big selling point. And yes, the shorts agrrement is another great option...

Filmman...what has to happen is that you must get a payroll company that handles the salaries and the right one can handle all the extra charges such as insurance, tax, health and pension etc,,,The way it works is that you must give them the money and then they pay the actor...you also must pay a bond to SAG to guarantee the wages so basically you need more than your full salary budget to cover that...usually you will get that back within 30 days of all your paperwork being completed...It looks more complicated than it is but well worth the effort.

Another great thing about the contract is something that Blaine brought up and that is the ability to mix union and non union actors...To use the agreement you only need to have 1 SAG actor...AND you are not required to pay the non union talent...therefore, to also answer ESTEBEVERDE'S question about it being too expensive, I would say this proves that it can be done cheaply and efficiently...That is, if you only have 2 or 3 SAG actors in your cast, you can keep your salary bill done to a very manageable amonut regardless the size of your budget. Especially if you plan to shoot their scenes in a couple of days...It is possible.

check out this link: http://www.sagindie.org/indieblog/running-interference


Finally, yes, you do have to pay residuals...that remains the producers responsibility...that amount is less than 2% so it really isn''t prohibitive either...

Like I said, check out their website and contact them. They are great for giving out information and honestly, I am not a rep so my knowlege is far more limited...just sharing my experience...

Best,
Stan The Man
 
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Stan, Paragraph 4...Exhibition Rights states:

Producer shall have the right to exhibit the Picture theatrically. Should the initial release not be in the theatrical market, the picture shall remain a "theatrical motion picture" for all purposes of the Basic Agreement....
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I agree that it says "No step-up fees" on the contracts page.

This seems to be a bit unclear...
 
Thanks Blaine...aprreciate that...I have a call into SAG as we speak...I'll try to get further clarification...

Good imput, thanks!

Stan The Man
 
filmman said:
This has been very interestin. So, Stan, what you're saying is that the new SAG ULB contract signed by a SAG signatory producer means that the producer pays $100 to agreeable actors and nothing more - absolutely nothing?

And, does the Producer have to put the salaries for the actors in escrow with SAG and pay the $100 in addition to the actors and then get refunded the money from SAG later?

Who pays the residualas? If I release the movie myself, will SAG bill me? Who bills me?

Do I own the movie at all times, if I sign the SAG signatory contract?

Thanks for your help.
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In exchange for this, the actors will be paid a small up-front payment of $100 per day.

So per day per actor...

If you just have one or two actors for a few days it's a great deal because of the ready made contracts.

A decent attorney will often run much more even for just a contract review.

Like I said, if the budget were there it's a good deal and a step in the right direction.

But, what if you don't have the budget and the actors love the project and want to do it anyway?
 
Blaine said:
Stan's correct on going SAGIndie with the ULB to get SAG (especially recognizable faces) talent. There is one caveat though. The film must have a public theatrical release. This means you either have to get it into a festival OR four wall it. If you make it and go straight to DVD, then it falls under the Basic Agreement and you become liable for the higher pay rate.

But if you're going with a feature and any real hope of selling it, you're going to need a "name" actor...at least D-list.

...
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Hello Blaine.

What do you mean by recognizable faces and by D-list?

How would you define those?
 
D-List, I'd define as an actor you have seen in a movie or t.v. in smaller parts. You may not know his/her name but you know his/her but you recognize them.

The first question you'll probably hear from a distributor is: "Who's in it?" Now, if you can say, "John Saxon," (that's for you, Stan) you've got someone that is recognizable but isn't that high profile these days. Also think of actors you remember from a few years ago but they haven't been in much lately. Everyone in the business wants to work. Sometimes, it's a part in an indie movie that can revitalize someone's career.

Granted, just because they're SAG isn't going to get it. There are countless SAG actors that would never be recognizable enough to help you sell your film.

Something to look for when casting is if the actor is represented. Generally speaking, if an actor can't get an agent, there might just be a reason and you might want to think about passing on them...unless they knock you out with their audition.
 
no problemo!

But in defense of Saxon, (and not just because I like him and had the op to work with him)...He is majorly recognized overseas still and very big with the cult crowd here...I wouldn't refer to him as d list...I get the point though...

Keep you posted on my call with SAG when I get them...

Cherrs fellas!
Stan The man
 
One more question - Colombo :-)

One more question - Colombo :-)

If I use one SAG actor and I've signed the ULB contract, do I post a bond for that one actor's salary and do I hire the payroll company for that one actor?

Thanks for your help. By the way I'm going to the next workshop in LA most likely.
 
Yes you do...good move too, bro....then you'll be able to fill us in on the latest too!

If you want a good payroll company try payreel...that's who I always use...ask for Lisa Cobb and feel free to tell her I referred you...she's awesome!!!

Good Luck,
Stan The Man
 
Hey Stan, Blaine... thanks for your posts. Estebee, thank you too and all others who posted.

I am working on a feature which I will direct and produce. I have a SAG lead actress I will use and I intend on shooting it in the Fargo Moorkead area on the border between Minnesota and North Dakota. Because of this I intend on seeking out talented trained non-union actors and only use the one SAG lady.

Because of this I went straight to the ULB and I too want to clarify the theatrical release/DVD release portion... too bad it is 9pm already tonight or I would have called and posted the answer already.

The portion that scared me the most is the following under section # 2:

"This Independent Producers' Ultra Low-Budget Letter Agreement ("Agreement") applies solely to independently conceived and financed live action motion pictures filmed entirely in the United States. It is not intended for pictures produced for television broadcast, cable use, video/DVD markets or otherwise produced primarily for commercial exploitation."

With my limited legal education this reads as: Non for profit projects.

This makes no sense since people use the ULB all the time... how does this work? does the distributor buy the film and "step-up" the project to the next category? that doesn't sound right either...


Secondly, as Blain pointed out, section # 4 is also a gray area which Stan was going to call in about... that section reads:

"Producer shall have the right to exhibit the Picture theatrically. Should the initial release not be in the theatrical market, the picture shall remain a “theatrical motion picture” for all purposes of the Basic Agreement, as modified herein, and shall not be reclassified as a “Made for Pay” or “Free Television” motion picture. If the picture is distributed outside of the theatrical market, residuals will be payable in accordance with General Provisions, Section 5.2 of the Basic Agreement."

I need a break down of the scenarios and fees... again I will call SAG and get the producer's perspective as opposed to the actor's or crew perspective that I have now.

agghhhh... my head hurts... hehe... must be a growth spur :)

filmman said:
If I use one SAG actor and I've signed the ULB contract, do I post a bond for that one actor's salary and do I hire the payroll company for that one actor?

Thanks for your help. By the way I'm going to the next workshop in LA most likely.
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Hey, are those free? If so I'll join you. What's the date?
 
USLatinContent said:
The portion that scared me the most is the following under section # 2:

"This Independent Producers' Ultra Low-Budget Letter Agreement ("Agreement") applies solely to independently conceived and financed live action motion pictures filmed entirely in the United States. It is not intended for pictures produced for television broadcast, cable use, video/DVD markets or otherwise produced primarily for commercial exploitation."
Click to expand...
This is actually the passage I was originally looking for. THe ULB if for Theatrical Release. It is not intended for straight to video or TV. If it has a theatrical release first, then you can take it to video. That's why I mentioned four-walling it.

USLatinContent said:
Hey, are those free? If so I'll join you. What's the date?
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Yes, it's free. SAGIndie Workshops
 
Hello USLatinContent~

By all means call and get additional info from SAG and seek out answers here and with other resources.

But, ABSOLUTELY get legal council that represents YOUR INTEREST before signing anything you don't understand or when you have lingering questions.

Contracts are serious business.

You don't need to be petrified of them, but you do need to understand them and all of their ramifications before you execute them.


You are in no way obligated to use a SAG contract unless you are a signatory.
 
I will let you know what I find out...I am I have a call in to the rep of 2 of my films...but perhaps you will enlighten us even before that if you hear first...

Lets see...

Stan the Man
 
Feb 14, 2008, is the LA workshop - from 6 to 8 PM. Registration is required. You can register online from SAGindie and if you have to cancel you have to do it 48 hours in advance.
 
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