SAG Waiver

DigitalBard

DigitalBard

Well-known member
I am shooting a commercial for a youtube contest. One of the actors I want to use is a SAG member.

What do I need to do to keep him from getting in trouble? I did some research on the SAGIndie web site and found a brief description of a SAG Waiver for a no-budget project, but I can't find the waiver to download and I don't know what to do with it once I do find it and get it signed.
 
I know this is going to sound like a bogus answer, but call them. The SAG rep in Chicago has been a huge help to us, and she's a really nice person to boot. Numerous SAG projects couldn't have been completed if we never called them.
 
I have already left a message at the closest office (in Missouri), so hopefully they'll return my call.

Given the nature of this (and similar projects) being barely any notice and shoot from the hip, I'm probably going to not use any SAG people. From what I am reading, it's impossible to get anything done with them in less than 6 weeks unless you're a big studio. But, I haven't talked with them direct... so I don't know if what I am reading is 100% accurate.
 
Someone jump in if I am wrong but I thought none of the unions had gotten a lot done when it came to web content like youtube. And I can't help but wonder if this would count since it is a contest.

I hope someone jumps in and helps clarify this since you have not been able to speak with anyone yet. If you can't reach someone in the Chicago office, try calling SAG in another state. They will still have the answers you need and you might reach someone faster in one of their larger offices like in California.
 
SAG offers a contract called the New Media Agreement (Google it). It is specifically for web content and functions similarly to the short film agreement. Regardless, you will need to make contact with a SAG representative. I suggest you continue calling, send an email, or just go to the office. You're wearing the producer's hat at this point so be proactive. Keep calling. Be annoying. But be kind. Once you get the ball rolling it's not that bad.
 
Here's the link to the SAG new media info and a guy in L.A. to call with questions.

Here's the link to the SAG new media info and a guy in L.A. to call with questions.

http://www.sag.org/new-media-0

Kamau Talbott
New Media Administrative Supervisor
323.549.6003
ktalbott@sag.org


You can probably get it set up in about a week if you push.
 
DDort said:
SAG offers a contract called the New Media Agreement (Google it). It is specifically for web content and functions similarly to the short film agreement. Regardless, you will need to make contact with a SAG representative. I suggest you continue calling, send an email, or just go to the office. You're wearing the producer's hat at this point so be proactive. Keep calling. Be annoying. But be kind. Once you get the ball rolling it's not that bad.
Click to expand...

I knew someone out there had info on that! Thank you. I was wondering myself.

carcar said:
http://www.sag.org/new-media-0

Kamau Talbott
New Media Administrative Supervisor
323.549.6003
ktalbott@sag.org


You can probably get it set up in about a week if you push.
Click to expand...

Very cool share! Thank you so much for the link. I am sure many will get good use out of it!
 
Okay, I got a call back from the Missouri office (my local office) and they also pointed me to the New Media agreement. She said the SAG Waiver is typically 4 to 6 weeks and there's no real way to speed that up. The New Media can take 7 to 14 days depending on their backlog.

In the case of a contest, she didn't know if it was okay to not pay the actor if we didn't win and defer payment until we collected our winnings if we did win. She's gonna get back to me on that. For my current project, I just used a couple of non union actors. But the whole "new media" thing looks promising for future projects. The other issue is whether or not I can start the paperwork process before I actually cast anyone. So that as soon as I decide to do a contest, I can start the paperwork immediately, then cast it, and shoot it as soon as the paperwork clears (provided I use union actors).
 
DigitalBard said:
She said the SAG Waiver is typically 4 to 6 weeks and there's no real way to speed that up.
Click to expand...
I guess that's why her job is returning phone calls, seriously we have a real problem in America, maybe SAG is a symptom. As stated above, to make a movie you must be proactive. I guess you have to do it without the waiver, or without SAG. There are excellent non SAG Actors out there. Also I find, get this, that rehearsals can be very useful!
 
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