(Check out the helpful links on the Studio Actreel Links Page)

1. What do I have to do to get started as an actor, or get my child into acting?

Typically, performers work in non-union background and principal roles in the early stages of their careers. Screen Actors Guild's interaction with performers begins after they have achieved professional status, and are joining Screen Actors Guild. The main goal of SAG is to provide competitive wages and safe, excellent working conditions for our members.

Unlike some unions, Screen Actors Guild does not have hiring halls and does not directly provide employment for its members. Incidentally, unions that offer employment services charge much greater dues.

Because of the nature of film and television casting, our members, like all performers, must take their own steps towards getting agents, auditions, and roles. We do everything possible to create an environment in which our members will be hired and look after their welfare once they are hired.

Despite the popular image that all actors are rich, most Screen Actors Guild members earn less than $7500 per year from Screen Actors Guild jobs. It is almost certain that in your acting career there will be times when you will need to earn your living from work other than acting. Be prepared. While we are not in a position to provide individual guidance to those who are getting into this business, we certainly invite you to explore our website to learn more about the history of the Guild and the business of acting. See our Beginning Actors section for more information.

2. What is the purpose of Screen Actors Guild?

The main goal of SAG is to provide competitive wages and safe, excellent working conditions for our members. Through a variety of programs and activities and industry outreach, we do everything possible to create an environment in which our members will be hired and to look after their welfare once they are hired.

3. Can you recommend acting schools, managers, or agents? What about modeling?

There is a current list of SAG franchised talent agents in the Find an Agent area of our site. In fairness to all of our franchised agents, we do not recommend any one franchised agent over any other. Some of the franchised agents also handle modeling and print work. You'll need to check those details out for your self as Screen Actors Guild does not have jurisdiction in those areas.

Legitimate talent agencies do not charge a fee payable in advance for registering you, for resumes, for public relations services, for screen tests, for photographs, for acting lessons, or for many other services used to separate you from your money. If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay that agency nothing until you work and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer -- but nothing in advance. Legitimate talent agencies normally do not advertise for clients in newspaper classified columns nor do they solicit through the mail. If a purported talent agent seeks to send you to a particular photographer for pictures, hold your wallet tight and run for the nearest exit. Chances are s/he's a phony and receives a cut of the photographer's fee. If you need photographs, choose your own photographer. Better still, try another agent.

Incidentally, we do not have a formal relationship with "personal" or "business" managers. That doesn't mean they are bad or unnecessary; it just means that the Guild does not have an institutional relationship with them. There are well-established firms engaged in personal and business management. However, such firms usually handle established artists, and they neither advertise for newcomers, nor promise employment. The telephone number for the Talent Managers Association formerly the Conference of Personal Managers is 310-205-8495.

We do not evaluate and/or recommend to members any service providers such as acting coaches, commercial workshops, modeling schools, photographers, or managers. There are so many people who want to be actors, that there are scam artists who will take your money and promise you acting jobs -- but deliver nothing. Use the same common sense you would use in making other major purchases: i.e., network, check with the Better Business Bureau, don't pre-pay full amounts, compare prices.

4. Can I reserve a professional name? Is the name I want already taken?

Because the list of available names changes daily, it would not be helpful to you for us to research your name choices before you join. During your joining appointment, we will ask you for three alternate name choices, in case your first choice is not available. A final name-availability check is done at the time the initiation fee is paid. Only then can an applicant be assured of having a particular professional name.

5. What is the purpose of Screen Actors Guild?

The main goal of SAG is to provide competitive wages and safe, excellent working conditions for our members. Through a variety of programs and activities and industry outreach, we do everything possible to create an environment in which our members will be hired and to look after their welfare once they are hired.

How can SAG help the beginning performer?

Member or not, we can

* Acquaint you with some union and performing career basics

* Point you toward other sources of information.

All principal and background performers, including our members, must take their own steps to develop their professional skills and to secure representation, auditions and roles. It is vital to understand:

* Unlike some other labor unions, we do not function as some other labor unions in the sense that we do not have a hiring hall and do not directly provide employment for our members.

* We do not make connections or recommendations to acting schools, teachers, agents, managers or casting directors. However, we do maintain a franchised agent list Find an Agent.

* We are unable to help non-members with housing, employment, or financial assistance

* We are unable to help non-members with health and safety issues, except on SAG-covered projects

* If you become a SAG member, you can attend member-only workshops and seminars {link to the events calendar section} to learn more about the business and the art of acting from your peers and industry professionals.

How do unions protect the professional?

To most people in the entertainment world, "professional" performer means "union" performer. The minimum in wages and working conditions that union members today take for granted, are the results of hard-won battles fought by earlier generations of performers, bringing the profession from adoption of the first minimum wage in the 1930's to today's digital age. Because of the struggles and commitment of these pioneers, as well as the ongoing vigilance of today's performers' unions, professional, union actors can expect fair and equitable treatment in auditions, wages, working conditions and benefits.

Is SAG the only union I will need to join?

Most people who attempt to pursue a performing career full-time are usually not only members of SAG, but also members of other unions, depending on the medium and venue.

* Film and television performers are represented by the Screen Actors Guild and/or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)

* Theatre performers, as well as stage managers, are represented by Actors Equity Association (AEA)

* Live music and variety performers are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) {link to http://www.musicalartists.org} and the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA).

These unions, under the umbrella of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America (the Four A's), are affiliated with the AFL-CIO

Can I earn a living as a performer?

At first, you may find it difficult to earn your living as a performer at first.

* It may take several years for a beginner to earn a living as a performer. You must either have a substantial cushion of savings to fund your quest and/or secure consistent alternate work to support you during the early stages of your career.

* Even the most talented performers may do everything right and still not end up with acting jobs. Success in this business is an unpredictable combination of talent, training, residence, "look", energy, attitude, and the completely uncontrollable factor — luck! In 1998, a little more than 1/4 of our membership did not receive any earnings under SAG contracts. You must not take rejection personally!

Even a working professional may not earn their income performing in just one medium.

Most professional performers generally need several potential income streams to earn enough money to sustain performing as a full-time career. For example, one year they might have SAG earnings of $7,000, AFTRA earnings of $12,000, Equity earnings of $6,000 and AGMA/AGVA earnings of $8,000. The following year they might have SAG earnings of $25,000 (because they appeared in a national commercial), AFTRA earnings of $9,000, Equity earnings of $5,000 and no AGMA/AGVA earnings at all.

How do I join the Screen Actors Guild?

Generally, new members qualify to join the Screen Actors Guild by meeting one of the following eligibility requirements:

1) They are cast and hired to work in a principal or speaking role for a SAG signatory producer, or

2) They complete a minimum of one-years' membership and principal work in an affiliated performers' union, or

3) They are cast and hired to work in an extra role for a SAG signatory producer at full SAG rates and conditions for a minimum of three workdays. In addition, at the time of joining, a performer must pay an initiation fee plus the first half of his/her annual dues for that year.

What is a “Guild Signatory?”

Although the particulars of wages and working conditions vary, producers in all arenas who seek to hire professional, union talent, must agree to the terms in the contracts negotiated by these unions on behalf of their members. Producers who sign a contract or letter of agreement with the union in their jurisdiction are called signatories. Although membership in a union cannot guarantee a performer work, through careful monitoring of signatory productions, the entertainment unions can guarantee fair pay, treatment and protections for their members.

How long can I work on a guild signatory production before joining SAG?

The SAG collective bargaining agreements provide that membership in SAG is required, in most cases, either (a) 30 days after the first principal employment or (b) 30 days after a background actor has received his or her third voucher.

Will I be required to accept only union work once I join SAG?

Yes. You must be ready and willing to follow SAG’s rules and regulations and to accept ONLY union employment once you become a member of SAG.

First and foremost of all the SAG rules is RULE ONE. It is the foundation of SAG's strength in protecting and representing its members. RULE ONE states:

"No SAG member shall work as an actor or make an agreement to work as an actor for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Guild which is in full force and effect."

Does this mean that once I become a SAG member I may not accept ANY non-union performing work to supplement my income?

Yes it does!

* SAG members cannot accept an acting role in any studio, independent, low-budget, pilot, experimental, non-profit, interactive, educational, student, or ANY production, unless that producer has signed a Contract or Letter of Agreement with the Screen Actors Guild.

* In addition, by joining the Screen Actors Guild, members also agree to abide by Rule 9, which states that members of one of the Four A performers' unions (SAG, AFTRA, Equity, AGVA, AGMA) will not accept non-union work in another union's jurisdiction.

What happens if I accept non-union work?

When a new member signs an application to join the Screen Actors Guild, he/she is agreeing from that point forward to abide by all the rules and regulations of Screen Actors Guild. Our Constitution and By-Laws not only spells out members rights as a professional, union performer, but also specifies members responsibilities and obligations.  Members who are found in violation of these rules are subject to serious fines and discipline by a panel of union peers

What if I am not a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien (holding a "green card")?

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), as directed by Congress, sets the visa requirements for alien performers who want to work in the United States. The INS allows performers who are not US citizens or permanent residents to audition on any visa, but in order to actually work on a film, television, or electronic media project like a video game, they must then get a very specific visa whether it is SAG signatory or not.

Production companies, and sometimes talent agents and managers, apply for these visas on behalf of the performers. Due to the INS criteria and cost of transportation, living expenses, and legal fees, these visas are typically granted only to major-role principal players. You do not have to be a member of Screen Actors Guild to qualify for these visas. However, the criteria for the most common of these particular visas (the O-1) require that the performer has been recognized for his/her accomplishment of outstanding achievement (as closely defined by the INS) in a media similar to the one for which the visa is sought.

Visas are issued by project, not by time period. Visas cannot be applied for until an employment offer is extended to the performer. O-1 visas are not available to performers who seem promising, but are not yet fully "proven".

For further information about visas, you will need to seek out and make contact with an immigration attorney. We are not able to provide references.

Can my acting experience in another country qualify me for SAG membership?

Except in very limited circumstances, acting work performed outside the United States will not qualify a person for membership in Screen Actors Guild. To be eligible based on foreign work, the performer would have to have been hired in the United States and transported to the foreign location by the SAG signatory production. Membership in the performers unions in England and Australia does not qualify a person for membership in Screen Actors Guild.

Are there special rules for teens, children, and babies?

Yes! You can find these rules in the following areas of ours site:

* Visit the “Young Performers” section of our website

* Call the Child Actor Hotline at (323) 549-6030.

* Attend a Young Performers Orientation Meetings at SAG Headquarters at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month.

* Search the “State Statutes Database for Young Performers” on our site for the specific laws of the state in which the young performer will be working

How can I get an agent?

Agents are more receptive when someone they know introduces you to them. Network with your friends who are in the business and with casting personnel you meet. Ask about agents; ask for referrals to agents.

When the time comes to sign with an agent, we recommend signing with an agent who is franchised by the Screen Actors Guild. You’ll find the SAG Franchised Talent Agents List on our website. You can use the "Hollywood" list, or select lists for other locations. We are not able to recommend one franchised agent over another. However, there are some important guidelines you should follow when deciding whether to sign with a particular agent:

* If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay such agency nothing until you work and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer -- but nothing in advance.

* Legitimate talent agencies do not charge a fee payable in advance for registering you, nor for resumes, for public relations services, for screen tests, for photographs, for acting lessons, or for many other services.

* Legitimate talent agents do not demand that you use their vendors.

* Legitimate talent agencies normally do not advertise for clients in newspaper classified columns nor do they solicit through the mail. 

 

Does the Guild also have listings of personal or business managers?

The Guild does not have an institutional relationship with business or personal managers. There are well-established firms in the business of personal management and business management, but such firms in the main handle established artists. They do not advertise for newcomers, nor promise employment. The telephone number for the Conference of Personal Managers is (310) 275-2456.

How can I learn more about the profession?

Exploring our website is a good way to learn more about this business. Check out the Links & Resources area of our site for more information. To learn how to qualify for membership in the Guild, and take the steps to join, check out our Beginning Performers section.

 

 

6. I've worked on a film or television project. that might have been a SAG project. How can I find out if SAG has received my records or vouchers?

Please call our Taft-Hartley Department at (323) 549-6866 for information about qualifying work that may be on our records.

 

7. How can I join Screen Actors Guild?

To listen to an informative, recorded message, please call (323) 549-6772. For additional tips, please visit our Beginning Performers area of our site.

 

 

1. What Can SAG Do For Actors?

Actors

Whether you’re starting out or trying to get ahead, the Guild wants to help you reach your goals.

Not a member yet? Check your eligibility status with The Eligibility Tracker (must be registered). Click here and we’ll help determine if it’s time to take the next big step—and provide the forms you’ll need.

Already a member? Register and gain instant access to casting opportunities. Whether you’re working in the USA or abroad, always comply with the Guild’s Global Rule One by confirming that a production is signatory.

Make sure the Guild has your current contact information, and sign up to receive important news and updates regarding workshops, seminars and contracts.

SAG’s Casting Database allows producers and casting directors the opportunity to contact you through our “Locate a Performer ” database.

And there’s more. Once you’ve registered with SAG 24/7 and logged* in you can:

Check your television and theatrical residual status

Pay your dues online

Confirm current day rates.

View the latest news on contracts, career seminars and workshops. Stay current with your local branch events.

It’s all right here. Remember, if you’re not using 24/7 regularly you’re missing out.

(*You can access these features and more from the Resources pull-down menu located on the right side of this page, but you must be registered and logged in to your SAG 24/7 account to use them.  Click here to register now and make the most of your visit.)

The Guild is committed to protecting and serving its members.

In addition to negotiating contracts on your behalf, we help you find work with production listings, verify that productions are Guild signatory, and help you stay on top of your game.

Find out if you’re eligible to join the Guild now by clicking here.

It’s one of the best career decisions you can make.

2. How to Join SAG

HOW TO JOIN SAG

Joining Qualifications

A performer may become eligible for Screen Actors Guild membership under one of the following conditions:

Proof of SAG Employment

Principal Performer Employment:

* Performers may join SAG by proving they have worked for a SAG signatory company. Proof of such employment may be in the form of a signed contract, payroll check or check stub.

* Employment must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial.

* The document proving employment must provide the following information: applicant's name and Social Security number, the name of the production or the commercial (the product name), the salary paid in dollar amount, and the specific date(s) worked.

Background Players Employment

* Performers may join SAG upon by proving they have worked as a SAG covered background player at full SAG rates and conditions for a MINIMUM of three workdays subsequent to March 25, 1990.

* Employment must be by a company signed to a SAG Background Players Agreement, and in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial.

* Proof of such employment must be in the form of a signed employment voucher (or time card), plus an original payroll check or check stub. Such documents must provide the same information listed in paragraph 1) A above.

Employment Under an Affiliated Performers’ Union

Performers may join SAG if the applicant is a paid-up, in good standing member of an affiliated performers' union (ACTRA, AEA, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA) for one year and has worked at least once as a principal performer in that union's jurisdiction.

Initiation Fees

* To join SAG, a performer must pay an initiation fee of $1,432.00, plus the first semi-annual basic dues. All joining fees are payable in full, in cashier's check or money order, at the time of application. NO PERSONAL CHECKS are accepted for joining fees.

* Fees may be lower if you join or work in a branch area other than Hollywood. However, if you subsequently work in an area whose governing branch charged a higher initiation fee the year that you joined than you initially paid, you must pay the difference to the new branch.

Dues

* Each SAG member pays basic annual dues of $100.00. In addition members will pay percentage dues of 1.85% of all individual earnings under SAG contracts up through $200,000, and 0.5% on all individual earnings from $200,001 through $500,000.

* Dues are calculated on an annual basis, and paid in two installments — the first on May 1, and the second on November 1. Dues are not prorated. Bills are mailed to the address on record before each due date. Members who do not receive bills are responsible for requesting duplicates.

* Dues payments may be made by cash, check, or money order, in person or by mail to Cashier, Screen Actors Guild, 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Please put your member ID number on your check.

Legitimacy of Application

* Your application and proof of employment will be fully investigated by the Guild. Your application for SAG membership will be denied if you have falsified your credentials, or if your qualifying employment is not bona fide.

* While it is your responsibility to ascertain the validity of your qualifying employment, the Guild will be the sole arbiter in determining whether the employer was legitimate or bogus, and whether the qualifying employment which you performed was actual production work or work created solely to enable you to gain Guild membership. Please be aware that false representation or deception on your part will jeopardize your chances to join the Guild.

* Further, if after your application has been granted the Guild discovers such misconduct on your part, you may find yourself subject to disciplinary proceedings, which could result in your being fined, suspended and/or expelled from the Guild.

Appointments for Admission

If you are eligible under the conditions stated above, please contact your nearest SAG office BEFORE COMING IN so we can advise you of the amount of your joining fee and arrange an appointment with the New Membership Department.

Submitting Proof of SAG Eligibility

You may contact SAG about your eligibility status.  If your file is not on record or incomplete, you may submit one of the following documents as proof of eligibility;

* Original paycheck stubs.

* Original activity print-out or report from the payroll company that states your name, social security number, the name of the production company, the title of the production, the salary paid in dollar amount, and the specific date(s) worked. The payroll company must submit this document directly to the SAG Membership Services Department.

Background vouchers and copies of paycheck stubs are not acceptable as proof of work. Submitting these types of documents will only delay verifying your SAG eligibility.

If you provide SAG with your original paycheck stubs, please make copies for your records before submitting them to our office.

In addition to enclosing proper eligibility documentation, you will need to include a separate piece of paper with your name, current address, current telephone number, and date of birth. A self-addressed stamped envelope must also be included so that we may return your documents to you. We ask that you print clearly to avoid input errors. Once verification is completed, you will receive a letter of eligibility from SAG.

Please mail your document to:

Screen Actors Guild

Membership Services Department – Proof of Eligibility

5757 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

You may also deliver your documents in person to the 1st Floor Receptionist at the above address.

Once you have submitted your eligibility documents, please wait until you receive your original documents back in the mail before contacting us at (323) 549-6769 to schedule an appointment to join.

If You Move During the Joining Process

In order for SAG to mail notifications out in a timely manner, we encourage all eligible performers to keep their mailing addresses current with SAG.  Notify SAG of your new address by phone (323) 549-6791, by fax (323) 549-6775 or by postal mail. Your eligibility letter will list a SAG ID number, which should be written on all correspondence submitted to SAG.