Can non-union actors, submit themselves for SAG work?

Answer 1

As a non-union actor, I have frequently been sent by my agent to union auditions.

If you are cast in the featured role of a SAG project, you will be "Taft Hartley"d into it, making you eligible for SAG eligible (allowed to pay the initiation fee and to become a full-fledged member of SAG). You do not have to join SAG until you do your next SAG job, at which point you must pay the initiation fee and join the union.

Answer 2

JJ, unfortuneately has it wrong. Non union actors get submitted on SAG jobs all the time. Now, getting called in for the audition is a bit more difficult, and actually booking the SAG is very hard because the production company has to justify to SAG why they are using a non-union actor over a union actor. Therefore, you better better hit a grand-slam with the audition, or be extremely, extremely unique. And then, by booking the job, you will be Taft-Hartley'ed and you are now eligable to join the union. You have, at that point, 30 days to continue to work the same job without joining. If you book another SAG job, or the 30 days have elapsed, you become what is called a "must join." And then you must join (hence the term) SAG before you can work that new job.

But to the original question, anyone can SUBMIT for any SAG job they want - doesn't mean you'll get called in.

Answer 3

SAG is a union protecting SAG actors, however, SAG actors were once Non-Union. Yes, Non-Union actors can be submitted though priority is given to SAG actors. If a Non-Union actor stands out the most, then production will choose who is best suited for the role. Since projects are Non-Union and SAG, SAG projects are more competitive. Not every SAG actor evolves into celebrities or seasonal speaking actors. Some get comfortable with doing background work because competition is too fierce.

Answer 4

Might want to look around their site, or even contact them if need be
http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/index.jsp

I don't know a lot, but I know I heard about people lucking out and getting something from a job regarding pay that got them into SAG. Really I don't see why a non member CAN'T be involved with most any project, SAG of not, since I'm sure it would not be the guild that owns a film, just limits it's members to only working on those it deems as ok.

If a project that SAG members are going to be working on is open to non-members (like most probably are I think...surely extras aren't all SAG, as an example), I say go for it and try to get in on the project! ; )


Edit: I always kind of wondered if the restriction on what projects a member could do can be a down side to being union...of if it doesn't affect much and is mostly a non issue...?

Answer 5

Non-union performers cannot be submitted for union projects, that is why we have a union!

However, if you move to a Right to Work State - such as Texas. In Texas SAG/AFTRA are combined, at least they were when I lived there. You can easily get an agent in Houston.

Answer 6

Yes you CAN and it is POSSIBLE but it's not probable. If you want to try achieve fame that way then it's totally fine. There are literally thousands of actors who post videos of themselves on Youtube and the fact is, is that agencies don't want to waste their time searching for that one diamond in the rough among the hundreds of other mediocre performances. It's better for them to look through the head-shots the people have sent in and judge from there. It's great fun though and you get a lot of feedback from it, just don't expect more than that.