Contract Bulletin: Know the 15-Minute Rule

SAG-AFTRA periodically provides members with bulletins, reminders or updates to educate and inform about topics and contractual provisions pertaining to the various agreements under which you work. You can always find these posted online at sagaftra.org. 

We are writing to let you know about a TV/Theatrical Contracts bulletin regarding The 15-Minute Rule for Time Spent Removing Ordinary Makeup, Hairdress & Wardrobe as it pertains to final dismissal times at the end of a performer’s day on set. This rule has been a source of confusion and not always properly applied. 

The 15-minute makeup, hairdress and wardrobe removal rule in the television, high budget SVOD and theatrical contracts provides that a performer will be compensated for up to 15 minutes for time spent removing ordinary makeup, hairdress or wardrobe at the end of their workday, when they are not otherwise on compensable (paid) work time. When applied correctly, up to 15 minutes are added to the time when the performer’s compensable work time has ended, which determines the performer’s final dismissal time. Read the details here and a PDF of this bulletin is available here for you to download and share with your colleagues.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact SAG-AFTRA at (855) SAG-AFTRA/(855) 724-2387. For any on-set safety concerns, call (844) SAFER SET/(844) 723-3773 — an emergency number that appears on the back of your membership card, on your member app and on the sagaftra.org website's Help Center.