I need someone to explain something about acting agencies?

Question

I know quite a bit about acting already, but I just dont understand the whole SAG, Union, non-union thing. can someone explain this to me?

Answer 1

Go to the websites, they have quite a bit of info. on all this.

SAG is the union for actors and background performers who work in motion pictures (film) and like any other union they negotiate for your wages, health benefits, etc. In order to join you have to work a minimum number of SAG projects and pay $2211 and annual dues.

You can stay non-union for quite a while and I would suggest not joining until someone says you absolutely have to. The fees are high and unless you are a working actor, it can be a burden to pay.

AFTRA is a bit different in that you do not have to become eligible to join, anyone can walk in to the office, pay the fee and join and by that token after one year with AFTRA you can become SAG eligible. To be brief... as far as actors are concerned, they mainly govern TV. You can also check out their website for more info. Their initiation fee is currently $1300.

When you are a member of the union, you have to follow union rules and work on union projects. Some producers get union waivers meaning they are allowed certain exceptions to the rules. For instance, a SAG low budget is allowed to pay less than the normal SAG day rate for an actor. Basically the union has guidelines for everything and you and the productions you work for have to follow them.

FUN, huh? ;-)

Answer 2

Marianne D has pretty much covered the basics of SAG and AFTRA, but she did leave off Actor's Equity Union.

Equity is the union for stage actors (broadway, lort, etc.), and also for stage managers.

There are two ways that one can join Equity
-Get cast in an Equity show. This is automatic.
-Build up enough points by working in a regional Equity
endorsed theatre

The initiation fee is $1100, basic dues are $118, and they also have working dues, which are 2.25% of gross earnings.


for more info go to http://www.actorsequity.org/home.asp