How do you get a SAG or Union card?

Question

For acting on broadway...
And what do they mean or stand for??
And what's the diffrence between them???
Thanks

Answer 1

I'm told now there is no difference all four unions have intermingled.

Equity handles live big stage, usually all the Civic Centers.

SAG handles filmed entertainment includng movies and primetime TV.

AFTRA handles radio, CDs and daytime TV

SEG handles Extra Work.

SEG is now formally a part of SAG

To get a union card requires being employed in a union production for a period of time.

In the case of SAG it's one day of work under direction of the director or making sounds to talking or singing or dancing.

In order to work a second day you have to join the union and that fee varies from city to city. It's less in Seattle than Los Angeles. Los Angeles is aobut $2,000 in a single payment, money order or certfied check, to join SAG, AFTRA or Equity.

After that it is about $300 a year in dues.

Once in the union you can't work non-union jobs. Small theater, for example, if you are in Equity, unless they have a wavier.

Once in SAG you can't work non-union extra jobs.

You can't work in student films without a wavier.

To get into AFTRA you must work two days on a union job in TV or Radio or be signed to a recording contract with one of the major record labels.

SAG pay is $125 for extra work, $550 for speaking day player roles.

AFTRA on air pay is $300 per shift (4 hours)

Equity pay is something like $500 a week for rehearsals and shows.

SAG is the Screen Actors Guild
AFTRA is tha American Federation of Television and Radio Artsists

Equity is also known as Actor's Equity

Once in the Unions you can only be represented by a Franchised Agent of the Union.

Answer 2

Oh, sorry, your first answer is the best. I mis read your question and gave him a thumbs down for over-long answer-give him best answer!