Handbook for Actors-Joining Unions

Introduction

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SAG, AFTRA, AGVA, AEA – What does it all mean? These acronyms represent the various unions you will have to deal with. Unions establish requirements for membership and are set up to protect the rights of performers by standardizing fees for specific working conditions. They also offer pension and medical benefits.

There is non-union work available for inexperienced actors in many areas, and union membership does not guarantee work. Yet, membership is required if you are going to work for a signatory film, television show or commercial. You do not have to be a union member to work your first union job if you utilize a Taft Hartley waiver; but we recommend you avoid that route if possible.

SAG, the Screen Actors Guild, (5757 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036) has over 90,000 members and is the most difficult to join. You cannot simply sign up, but once you have been offered a job for a SAG-signatory motion picture, you will be accepted under the following rules:

1. You must have at least three days’ work on a motion picture or TV show.

2. You must have at least one day’s work on a commercial.

As we said, you don’t have to be a member to work your first SAG (Screen Actors’ Guild) job; and it is extremely difficult to become a member. Also, it’s expensive; and the requirements are stringent. In fact, in order to join SAG, you must first audition for, and get, a SAG job. You can then apply for membership and pay the initiation fee and six months dues.

If you and the director decide to invoke the Taft-Hartley waiver, he requests the waiver for you to work as a non-guild member and justifies why you got the job instead of a guild member. After the waiver is obtained, you must start the job within two weeks. Once you become a union member, you can not do ANY non-union work.

There is a way around the membership rule. If you have been a member of a sister union (AFTRA, AEA, AGVA) for at least one year and have completed one principal role, you are eligible for SAG membership. A principal role does not require a speaking part, simply execution of a principal action.

Membership in AFTRA, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016) is open. Any actor can simply apply and pay the appropriate fees. Semi-annual dues are on a sliding scale based on the previous year’s income.

You (your Agent) should get you on AFTRA’s "extra casting list" as soon as you joins AFTRA. Although it may take some time, "extra" jobs will eventually come.

As this Handbook goes to press, AFTRA and SAG are considering a merger. Members’ ballots will be counted in mid-January, 1999. If the merger occurs, anticipate that membership rules might become more stringent. You may call SAG/AFTRA for updates.

You can get information regarding these and other craft unions (SEG – Screen Extras Guild, AGVA – the American Guild of Variety Artists, and AEA – Actors’ Equity Association) by contacting them at the addresses and phone numbers listed in the Industry Contacts Section.