You're a "novice" if you sign with SAG-AFTRA under the SAGIndie Contracts

[Kevin Vega]

Just saw this a few minutes ago... according to SAG-AFTRA if you sign under an Indie contract you're a Novice:

Novice filmmakers should visit the SAGIndie site to find out all the ins and outs of our low budget agreements.

http://www.sagaftra.org/content/industry-services

 

[OldCorpse]

Probably because only novices would fall into the trap of signing onto SAG-AFTRA low budget agreements. Or those who want to make a film they subsequently don't wish to distribute - also a novice move, except for the "wish" part, it just so happens that they can't distribute.

 

[Kevin Vega]

Probably because only novices would fall into the trap of signing onto SAG-AFTRA low budget agreements. Or those who want to make a film they subsequently don't wish to distribute - also a novice move, except for the "wish" part, it just so happens that they can't distribute.

As far as I know the only agreement with that "trap" is the ultra-low budget agreement... you're free to do as you please distribution wise on the Modified Low Budget agreement and higher.

The agreements say you have two years to find theatrical distribution, and if you don't in that time you are free to distribute in another medium, but the film won't be reclassified as Made for TV or Direct to DVD film.