Sag Eligible?

JoshuaNitschke

JoshuaNitschke

Well-known member
I'm holding auditions for a movie and am perplexed by the Sag Eligible status. Does this mean they could join SAG but currently haven't so I don't have to worry about union rules?
 
Virum said:
So no hidden stuff that I have to worry about? (Just clarifying).
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You are all good. Just make it clear to them that your production is Non-Union. Also, post that in your audition notices, etc.

You didn't sign a contract with SAG, so you can't get in trouble. But SAG actors can if they work on a Non-Union project.
 
PJC said:
You are all good. Just make it clear to them that your production is Non-Union. Also, post that in your audition notices, etc.

You didn't sign a contract with SAG, so you can't get in trouble. But SAG actors can if they work on a Non-Union project.
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on that topic, I am good friends with a girl who is SAG and has been in some big features (lead in final destination 3)

if she were in my indie, what sort of trouble would she get in? How do I go about making it right?
 
She can be fined or thrown out of SAG. I think they have SAG waivers available for SAG actors to do Non-SAG projects. This is the only way unless she wants to take a big gamble and do it on the sneak, but if she's a known actor, she most likely won't do it. You can't blame her....
 
Lake Films said:
She can be fined or thrown out of SAG. I think they have SAG waivers available for SAG actors to do Non-SAG projects. This is the only way unless she wants to take a big gamble and do it on the sneak, but if she's a known actor, she most likely won't do it. You can't blame her....
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I don't know of such waivers. I thought SAG "Global Rule Number 1" was no non-union work at all. Period.

But also Yardsdale, SAG typically will not back-track after the fact. They're kind of ass-holes about it. So make sure you get it all set up before hand.

M
 
There are SAG Indie contracts now available to allow SAG actors on indie films with deferred pay. Basically, you don't have to pay them unless you want to distribute your film outside of film festivals. You still have to follow all other SAG rules in terms of working conditions, length of shoot, etc.
 
I am developing a feature that falls under the SAG modified low budget agreement, but I want to use a few non-SAG actors. How difficult is it for non-union actors to receive a waiver so I can use them in my project.
 
Under the Modified Low Budget Agreement, all actors must be SAG. Background talent doesn't have to be SAG but there are incentives if they are. You will need to contact SAG at least one month before your shoot and provide them with a copy of your script, shooting schedule and budget for review. You will then be sent a package of documents for signature.

This is if you are planning on shooting under the Modified Low Budget Agreement and don't just mean that it would fall under this agreement if you did go SAG.
 
Also, depending on the project, the actor or actress can be "SAG'd" so they can be in your project, but I think it costs quite a bit of MONEY for you to do that.

Right now, we're working on a SAG TV Pilot/Direct-to-DVD contract, and suprisingly it hasn't really made the budget that bad! I was thinking it would skyrocket the budget, but it went from about 8k to about 16k, so yes, it doubled the budget, but everything will be legit, and we'll be able to cast the lead we want.
 
On another board a distributor who works with Bruce Campbell said
He is really a big supporter of indie filmmaking. In fact, he went on and on about the fact that he has gone "financial core" on all of his guild memberships (SAG, DGA, AFTRA) so he can do all the indies he wants.
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Not sure of the details of "financial core" but apparently it helps indies get sag actors, though also apparently sag is not real super happy with it.
 
Financial Core:

http://www.bizparentz.com/coreTruth.html

"What is Financial Core?
Financial Core (fi-core for short) is a right granted by the Supreme Court and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rulings that allow workers (not just actors) to NOT join the union, and still work union jobs. Basically, you become a “dues paying non-member” in the eyes of your union and you are allowed to work both union and non-union jobs. You cannot be forced to join a union, but you must pay your fair share."
 
denver said:
I am developing a feature that falls under the SAG modified low budget agreement, but I want to use a few non-SAG actors. How difficult is it for non-union actors to receive a waiver so I can use them in my project.
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if your budget is under $200,000 you can use the ultra low budget agreement which allows for union (at $114/day) and non-union actors (can be deferred) in the same production.
 
Don't forget that under the SAG Modified Low Budget agreement you still have to pay a percentage of your payroll to SAGs retirement fund AND you have to provide a percentage of your payroll to SAG (which they hold until they verify non of your checks bounce) which they keep until you've gone to final master. Be prepared to give away that cash and NOT get it back until the very end.
 
Also, don't forget that SAG Modified Low Budget still requires certain perks to be paid to the actor. Like a stipend or Per Diem every day of the shoot. You have to provide transportation or a transportation fee. You have to provide some sort of private wardrobe changing area. Plus there a minimum amounts of time allowable between breaks and lunches and makeup. And it all must be recorded daily and faxed to SAG daily. So you'll need to add an additional production coordinator to your budget.
 
Brandon Rice said:
Also, depending on the project, the actor or actress can be "SAG'd" so they can be in your project, but I think it costs quite a bit of MONEY for you to do that.
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Taft Hartley.
 
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