The UPA is not exclusive and allows the casting of unionized and non-unionized actors and non-professional actors. It also means that Union performers have the right to pursue another profession during the production of a particular project. However, contracts are still required and must be made available for performance no later than the first working day by the performer on the project. If the performer does not receive the contract before the end of his or her first day of employment, he or she is entitled to a lump sum damages of $10.00 per day until the performer receives the fully performed employment contract. If the project signatory does not submit the employment contracts to SAG-AFTRA, the union is entitled to charge an additional fee of $10.00 per day per contract until the employment contracts are concluded. The saying goes, “If you think it`s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amatuer.” It can be intimidating to sift through all the fees and rates required by SAG-AFTRA, but ultimately, when you have your creative project in the hands of a professional talent, you get the greatest return on investment. For more research, click here for links to contract information, pricing, FAQs, and resources to help members and producers navigate the media and entertainment industry. Before you get started, it`s important to create a detailed budget for your production, as this will determine your specific SAG rates. Before you can even run the camera, you`ll need to submit both a budget and a copy of your script to SAG. Unlike SAG deals for movies (where everything is determined by budget), prices in the TV world are determined by the number of episodes you`re going to create and, in most cases, by the length of the episode.

SAG`s basic theatrical agreement applies to films with a budget of more than $2,000,000. While premium talent is usually paid well above the SAG minimum, this is the price actors can expect on a low-budget studio project or moderate independent film. The SAG daily rate is $1,030 and $3,575 for the week. Scale is the general term for the minimum daily or weekly rates set by the On-Screen Actors Guild. SAG-AFTRA has spent decades carefully designing and negotiating contracts, compensation plans and salary ranges for its members. The contracts cover budget areas for various types of projects such as theatre, digital (new media), television and advertising. But if you have a penny more, you`ve come to the right place. Here are the SAG rates for 2021 for artists on TV. It should be noted that these prices apply to cable and streaming artists. For network emissions, producers should provide an additional budget of 15%. Residues are based on formulas that take into account factors such as the contract in place each year, the time spent on production, the type of production and the market in which the product appears. All performers who have been hired or upgraded under a principal performer contract whose performance remains in the final product are entitled to arrears.

Background actors do not receive residues and are not entitled to them unless they are promoted to lead actors. For SAG-AFTRA underlying players, this can be difficult as the contract only applies in certain areas, as mentioned above. Producers and underground players should be particularly vigilant when filling or accepting employment, as both could run the risk of breaching the contract by providing and accepting uncovered work. For new media projects under $250,000 (but over $50,000), you should expect to pay artists a minimum rate of $125 per day. As with other low-budget deals, there is only one sag daily player rate. SAG AFTRA rates are the minimum amounts for which the Screen Actors Guild allows its members to work on a particular project. Subsidence rates are offered both daily and weekly and are often determined by the type of project, specific budget constraints and distribution plan. SAG Theatrical rates apply to actors who appear in films with a variety of budgets. The term “theatricality” means that the film must have a first theatrical release. If you produce a movie directly for streaming, you may fall under a new media agreement. although in the age of streaming, the term may have a different meaning. Applies to films shot with a total budget of more than $2,000,000 and destined for the first theatrical release.

Short project agreements cover films with a total budget of less than $50,000 and a maximum duration of 40 minutes. Unlike other SAG daily rates, actors` salaries are fully negotiable. If you are making a TV series that goes directly online (ala Netflix) and your budget is less than a million, then you should check out New Media. Unlike other signatory agreements, the New Media Agreement does not require minimum remuneration. Initial compensation is fully negotiable under the SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement for productions that do not meet the high budget threshold. While there are no minimum requirements under the agreement, there are local, state, and federal minimum wage laws that must be followed as they still apply. Payment is due to the performer no later than five working days after the date of work. SAG Pension and Health or AFTRA Health and Retirement contributions are due on the negotiated initial remuneration of 17%. Although a theatrical release is not necessary to be eligible, a whole bunch of documents are required to fall under this contract. SAG student film agreements cover films with a budget of less than $35,000, a maximum duration of 35 minutes, and producers who are currently students at an accredited U.S. university. As with the SAG short project agreement, there is no fixed SAG weekly scale or even a fixed daily rate – this is negotiable.

Today, almost a hundred years later, SAG-AFTRA still strives to organize all the work done under its jurisdiction, negotiate the best wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits, create employment opportunities, enforce contracts and protect SAG-AFTRA members from unauthorized use of their work. However, the work of the Union is not possible without the cooperation of those within the sector who are not part of the union – mainly studios and production companies. Through collective agreements and subsequent agreements, SAG-AFTRA can govern and protect those who work in a performance role in the entertainment industry. Full rates as set out in the SAG-AFTRA 2017 television contract. Please note that the full terms of the SAG-AFTRA TV contract may also apply at this budget level. The union says the new contract “allows for negotiable terms, making it an effective option for projects that require a quick turnaround time.” Unlike other low-budget contracts that have a longer registration process, projects eligible for the micro-contract can be launched immediately after the application, provided that the performers are informed of the conditions. Amazon, Instagram, YouTube – these are just some of the goals that the Screen Actors Guild calls “new media.” Whether you`re making a movie or a series, both fall under this deal as long as your budget ranges from $50,000 to $1,000,000. If your budget falls below $50,000, you should refer to the SAG short-term agreement.

If your budget is over $1,000,000, it gets a little more complicated. SAG-AFTRA low-budget agreements have been created with the contribution of filmmakers and actors to make it even easier for you to hire professional artists. For a full breakdown of the SAG Cinema Awards, food penalties, rest requirements and travel rules, see our “Ultimate Guide to SAG-AFTRA 2020 Room Rates”. SAG-AFTRA offers producers of live action projects a new micro-budget contract budgeted at $20,000 or less per image or episode. Under the New Deal, projects can be exhibited on new free social media platforms, at film festivals, on public television, for Oscar and demonstration purposes, and in the classroom. The moderate-budget low-budget project agreement applies to films shot entirely in the U.S. with a total budget of less than $700,000. The short project agreement applies to projects shot entirely in the United States with a maximum total budget of $50,000 and a maximum total duration of 40 minutes. This does not apply to episodic or animated projects.

The SAG MODERATE low-budget agreement applies to films with a budget between $300,000 and $700,000. .