SAG Film / Taft Hartley

[Holosynthetic]

I want to throw an idea out there thats been tumbling in my mind ever since I put the quarter in. If I make a film a SAG production, I as the producer/director put myself, a non-union actor as the principle role, does this offer me the possibility to taft-hartley myself into the union? Allowing myself to bypass having to do extra work on three SAG productions. Thoughts?

[Paris Remillard]

As a SAG actor myself, I believe that you have to give the union a convincing reason why you want to use a non-union actor over all of the other available union actors out there. If they buy it, then they have to give you permission to do so. At least that's what I was told back in the day. If it's a role that you wrote for yourself and are producing yourself, that might be reason enough. You'd have to call the union to find out for sure though. I'm sure they'd give you all the info you need.

SAGIndie http://www.sagindie.org/ is probably a good place to start. They have downloadable contracts, info, and other resources. The FAQ page(under About ) has some good info. I know from just looking there myself that some of the very low-budget agreements don't require all union actors, but non-union actors can't join SAG by working under these contracts. So, it looks like you'd have to have a decent budget or produce your film under a higher budget contract to waive yourself in...if they'd agree to it. I'm just rambling now. Call them.

[Joel Kaye]

Are you trying to get into SAG so you can audition for other SAG things or get an agent?

Since SAG covers film I'm not sure they have jurisdiction over RED. I don't think AFTRA does either... they are tape. So... unless those two have worked that out then I think you could hire SAG actors without being a signatory, but I doubt they'd ever tell you that.

[Holosynthetic]

I'm not in a rush to join SAG for film purposes, but in this day it seems most agents won't look at you if your not a part of the union.

[Thomas Mathai]

Are you trying to get into SAG so you can audition for other SAG things or get an agent?

Since SAG covers film I'm not sure they have jurisdiction over RED. I don't think AFTRA does either... they are tape. So... unless those two have worked that out then I think you could hire SAG actors without being a signatory, but I doubt they'd ever tell you that.

It doesn't matter if it's film or digital, it's about using SAG actors. If the actors you want are SAG, you have to deal with SAG.

[donatello b]

which SAG agreement would you use to make your project? ...
i believe the under $500k budgets you can mix SAG and non SAG persons = the non SAG persons will NOT get into SAG ...
took my son about 4 months to do the 3 SAG extra thing to get his SAG card - tip: always be polite to the AD's ....

[Tom Lowe]

While we're talking about SAG and mixing union and non-union, would it be possible to cast SAG union people in 2 of your 3 main leads, and have the third be non-union? I might need a younger actor, but I don't want to deal with all of SAG's BS regarding child actors. It would be the SAG Ultra Low contract at a $200k budget.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

That's a good question there Tom... I suppose that could even fall under various state by state laws too. While the SAG might want to keep all actors on the project as union, would it even be legal for them to dictate such? Some states (Colorado as an example) has various legislation that specifically prohibits labor uniions from doing just that. It keeps labor unions from pressuring employers to hire all union employees and allows for hiring of both union and non-union employees or employees from multiple union affiliations if an employer so chooses. While not specifically targeted at the Actors Guild or even the performing arts, it still should apply... Wheather we're talking actors, truck drivers or plumbers. OTOH, union workers tend to look out for one another. You may find that SAG or union talent may be unwilling to show up for the job if they find out non-union talent is also being used. And there's nothing to stop them from doing just that other than if they sign a legal contract saying they will show up and perform. But then again, I've never used SAG talent so I'm merely speculating as to how the SAG actors would view a mixed SAG/union and non-union cast.

[Tom Lowe]

I know you can mix union and non-union on an SAG Ultra-Low set. You can have one SAG actor, Brad Pitt if you can get him, and all the others non-union, as long as you pay Pitt 100 bucks a day and meet certain work-hour rules, etc.

I'm not sure about being able to work with child actors outside of the SAG rules, which are very stringent. You often hear the words "SAG will shut you down" whenever dealing with them. If they find anything wrong with your shoot they could pull their actors, in theory.

[Thomas Mathai]

I'm sure there are state laws that are just as strict dealing with child actors.