SAG actors

K

keep it moving Jay

Active member
Has anyone used SAG actors in their films? If so, coiuld a director give in addtion to the short film indie contract frm SAG, it's own contract?
 
Generally speaking SAG does not allow overriders of their contract...for example, you cannot get your actor to sign an agreement with you that they will receive no salary despite the fact that their contract with SAG says that they will. You should checkout their site at www.sagindie It has been re vamped and is interactive and I am sure you will get more accurate answers directly from there...

Best,
Stan Harrington,
www.xristosproductions.com
 
Right. The SAG (and AFTRA) contracts specifically say that any lesser terms are null and void.
 
Yes, I've used SAG actors. I have given them release forms in addition to the SAG stuff because SAG doesn't exactly deal with use of the actors' likeness etc. very well.
 
SAG also lists violators so you do not want to get on their radar...they have really made great strides in the last couple of years to ensure that you can work on a SAG agreement and not break your bank...for example, a lot of people are unaware that to work with a SAG contract such as the Ultra Low Budget Agreement, you only need to have one actor that is SAG. Also you are only required to pay that one SAG actor,,,Consequently if you have a cast of ten but only 2 are SAG, you only have to pay those 2!...not bad at only $100 per day with no step ups...

I encourage you to use the union because it is better for all...you get better actors...and it adds prestige to your product...


Stan Harrington
www.xristosproductions.com
 
Stan,

I agree 100%. I've done the SAG short film agreement twice, and it's rules are identical to the ultra low (well almost). I use all SAG people as a rule 'cause I don't want to mess around with amateurs on my dime.
 
That's great Adam...and very wise...SAG is no longer the chain around your neck as a filmmaker...and if you have a worthy project, you would be surprised who you might get to be in your film if it is legitimate...My last feature was shot for $8,500 and included Movie Legend, John Saxon (Enter The Dragon, The Appaloosa), Adrian Zmed (Grease2, Bachelor Party) and Rick Peters...Learn to write well, show that you complete what you start, and have a legitimate project and the world begins to open up for you...

Stan Harrington
www.xristosproductions.com
 
Hey Stan - that's freaking amazing. Not to hijack, but how the heck did you shoot a feature for $8500 - any feature? Very interested to know !
 
Check out my new book "A Guerilla In The Midst"...I break it all down and it comes with my first movie that was shot for only $5,000. It too was a feature and won a stack of awards and I use it as a blueprint for the book... www.vasst.com is where you can get it on line...it was released last weekend in Vegas at NAB where I did a conference on it...if you are in LA you can also get it at Samuel French...

Best,
Stan Harrington
www.xristosproductions.com
 
taormina said:
Yes, I've used SAG actors. I have given them release forms in addition to the SAG stuff because SAG doesn't exactly deal with use of the actors' likeness etc. very well.
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THis is the point i'm trying to make. sag covers their arse well but the direcor or producer will be left to dry if he doesn't clear likeness and right to use etc.

pursuant to deferred or agreed sag compensation rules as consideration to the release form
 
You have to be crazy careful though SAG has a TON of rules that you probably don't think about. Coming from Tennessee I had never had to worry about SAG before for any productions (corporate, film, tv, commercials) as even the SAG and SAG elligible actors were more than willing to not worry about it. I came to DC for a new job and the clients wanted all SAG. I called up the talent agency to set up an audition and asked them to send me all the materials, rules, ect, that I needed to know for working with SAG actors. She sent me along some stuff and I reviewed it and thought I was all set to go. Unfortunately, the information she sent me wasn't nearly complete. She made no mention of the fact that if an actor is at an audition for an hour you're supposed to pay them (how in the hell you get paid to go to a job audition I'll never understand). I just got a bill from them and when I called to find out what the hell it was they told me about the rule.

As for SAG actors as a rule being better, not in my experience. I'd say if you're doing a low-budget production find yourself some good stage actors and work with them and use non-union for your smaller parts and background. Out of the 140 people who auditioned for me I'd say maybe 15-20 were castable and the others were horrendous. That was pretty typical of what I've found in every production I've worked on. There are A TON of talented actors who restrict themselves to the stage or aren't in SAG and most of the time they are thankful for the opportunity.
 
I think the film actors guild is a joke, I've worked with sag and non sag actors, and like any union, once you join it seems like your work ethic goes out the window. and like every other union, Sag is nothing but a bunch of jack booted thugs.
 
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