Acting : SAG or to NOT SAG? by Erick Freitas

Interesting. I appreciate that, Nick. From what I understand LA and NYC are both strong markets for actors. I'd give LA the slight edge, but NYC is a close second.

I can tell you that after standing in line with other background actors, both Union and Non-Union that the advantage of Union is not the frequency of gigs, but rather the quality of gigs - Union extras are given screentime preference (they are more likely to have face time, maybe even a named part), and the longer you are on-screen and on set, the more likely you will have a line or even a re-occurring background role. The first background gig I did was Superstore and there were a few regular SAG background actors. If there is a single line of dialogue available, you are more likely to get that part than non-union. You also get better perks - food, breaks, credits, DAY RATES.

I imagine the advice was given to you so you could have more acting samples before you restrict your options. Just know that the restriction of electing for union status will also come with better roles, even if less frequent.

Also very helpful. Yes, I've done non-union background work years ago, just to make ends meet. That's a good point that SAG provided QUALITY over quantity. Interesting point.

Corollary question: as a non-actor (writer-indie producer), I've heard from actors that being a SAG member actually limits them from getting gigs. Once they've become SAG, getting non-union gigs become problematic concerning their standing in the union.

Is this accurate?

If it is, I'd go with Nick Assunto - Stage32 Script Services and his agent's advice.

Sorry, Erick Freitas, if I hijacked your thread. :)

Create a marketing plan with both scenarios. Weigh the pros and cons. Do research.

Thank you for the update on industry norms.

I did not realise artists had to pay 3K to join SAG. Its a similar closed shop cronyism to Equity where rules are you can’t join union unless you already have job in the industry. In every other job industry outside acting, they pay staff to operate whatever skill necessary and employees join union AFTER working there. Art is a birthright yet it is policed and regimented by organisations seeking to gain. I am NOT anti union or business just angry at the bizarre trappings that shoot many budding genius actors in the foot.

Yeah, Nick Assunto - Stage32 Script Services that's how it was explained to me as well. Just do non-union, until you HAVE to join SAG, then go FiCore if need be. That'll be my plan, for now, I guess.

And hijack away John Ellis ! :-)

SAG increases your chance of getting union work, but that depends on your market/location. If you become SAG, you won't be able to do non-union work, which can also be profitable. Plus, there's dues. As a SAG-AFTRA member, I'd say wait until you have to join the union. Right now you're flexible for both sets of work.

Thanks, Zach Tirone , now as a non-union person, I can still apply for union rolls, that does not change anything? Correct? Meaning, that won't make union jobs not want to use me? I guess I'm a little confused as to what you can and can't do as nonunion/union members...

If you are a non-union member you have more flexibility to find work. With the time that you have in, and there is a union job that you want, join then. but remember to get the job first.

If you are in the L.A. acting market in 2020, all but the tiniest of DIY or web ad/ content projects will be under one of the SAG contracts. That said, it is a mistake to get a SAG card too soon. While SAG has opened the gates drastically since the 90's and particularly since the digital revolution took hold, that also means it has lowered the bar to membership. Realize that as soon as you are SAG, you compete with very established actors for any role, and you cannot work non SAG. There is no effective SAG waiver or other device. One can go FiCore by law once in SAG, but that defeats the entire purpose of, and many of the perks of, membership.

Thanks for that very insightful post Royce Allen Dudley . I know a professional actor who goes back and forth from FiCore to SAG throughout his career depending on what kind of work he's done. From his explanation, you're not losing health insurance when you do that - but you don't get the Oscar DVDs at the end of the year or residuals. But he told me that non-union jobs pay so well upfront, that it balances out the residual checks.

Interesting food for thought... Thanks.

I joined SAG-AFTRA in 2016 after many years of being SAG-eligible here in Georgia. We benefit from being a right-to-work state, so there is little incentive at first to join. Regardless of your state, though, I would hold off until you're a "Must-Join". Not sure what that is? Don't worry, the union will make it abundantly clear. Usually, after your first Union gig in a state like NY or CA, you'll have a 30 day period to join. After which, you will not be able to accept work on a union project until you've paid your initiation fee. Also, for those actors in different regions of the USA, there are different initiation fees depending on your market.

For instance, in GA it's about 50% of the national fee to join. However, if I accept work in a region with a higher fee, I will have to pay that difference. But that discount, along with years of benefitting from the union, helped me make the decision to join.

And BE CAREFUL with FiCore. If you go FiCore nowadays, the union will make it nearly impossible for you to come back to full status. At the very least, in can be a 6-month process. Going FiCore is a big "eff you" to the union, so they don't want to make it easy for you to change your mind.

The bottom line for those in all states is asking if this is the right time FOR YOU to join. It's different for everyone. If you're in NY or CA, you'll eventually be a "must-join" if you work on union sets, but until then you're under no obligation.

And to your original question, generally speaking the producer or director who is watching your tape (or your live callback) isn't even aware of your union status. It doesn't matter to them. They want the best actor. Getting the audition to begin with, depending on your market, might be harder if you're non-union and it's a big TV show or film. That's a more nuanced discussion that requires knowledge about your specific market.

Oh, and Erick Freitas, I would ask your friend again about residuals. My wife was FiCore for 10 years, and always got residuals. That is something that would never be withheld from the actor regardless of your status.

Hello! I joined after my first few larger jobs, and I live in Louisiana - which is a right to work state. From what I understand, from some of my acting students out of NYC, there is a level of perceived “prestige” in NYC when you are union. But you cannot do non-union jobs any longer once you join. I have to tell you, the health insurance I get through SAG-AFTRA was worth the fee. The fee I pay for my health insurance quarterly, is HALF of what I paid MONTHLY for private health insurance. And that was even with my husband having a State job. (I don’t know if that made sense. I used to pay $700/month for me and my two kiddos. I now pay $425 a QUARTER for all three of us.)

Amazing info Matthew Cornwell thanks! Also, I didn't know you could make some money acting in Louisiana! Also good to know Ann Mahoney