Getting into the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), now a single union representing actors, broadcasters, and other media professionals, is a significant milestone for any actor. Here are the steps and requirements for joining SAG-AFTRA:
- Eligibility Through Work
Principal Role: Perform in a principal or speaking role in a production covered by a SAG-AFTRA agreement. This is the most common way actors become eligible. The production must be with a company that has agreed to the union’s terms, ensuring union protections and benefits for its actors.
Background Actor: For background actors, eligibility can be achieved by working at least three days on a SAG-AFTRA covered production as a background actor. This can vary, so it’s essential to check the current requirements on the SAG-AFTRA website.
2. Employment Under an Affiliated Union
If you’re a member of an affiliated performer’s union (such as ACTRA, Equity, or any union part of the International Federation of Actors) for a year and have worked at least once in that union’s jurisdiction, you might be eligible to join SAG-AFTRA.
3. Eligibility Through New Media Projects
Acting in a project produced for new media (like a web series) can also make you eligible if the production is under a SAG-AFTRA agreement. As the industry evolves, SAG-AFTRA has adapted to include new forms of media under its jurisdiction.
4. Joining Through Sister Unions
Actors who are members in good standing of other sister unions (like Actors’ Equity Association for theater actors) and have been a member for a certain period may be eligible to join under specific conditions that can include having worked a set number of days or hours in their jurisdiction.
Steps to Join SAG-AFTRA
- Confirm Eligibility: Once you’ve performed eligible work, you should receive a notice of eligibility from SAG-AFTRA. You can also contact the union directly to confirm your eligibility status.
- Application: Fill out the membership application available on the SAG-AFTRA website. You’ll need to provide proof of your eligibility, such as contracts or pay stubs from a covered project.
- Initiation Fee and Dues: To join, you’ll need to pay an initiation fee plus the first semi-annual dues. The initiation fee can be substantial, so it’s important to be financially prepared. The dues are based on how much you earn under SAG-AFTRA contracts.
- Membership Meeting: In some cases, you may be required to attend a new member orientation or meeting. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits and responsibilities of membership.
Considerations
- Financial Planning: Before joining, consider whether you’re in a position to benefit from membership. The costs of joining and maintaining membership can be high, especially for actors who are not consistently working on union projects.
- Union vs. Non-Union Work: Once you join SAG-AFTRA, you are agreeing only to work on union-covered productions. This can limit your options, especially in markets where non-union work is prevalent, but it also ensures certain protections, benefits, and minimum pay rates.
Joining SAG-AFTRA is a significant step that can open doors to more prominent roles and higher-quality projects. It also means becoming part of a community that advocates for the rights and interests of actors and media professionals.
