Low Budget Theatrical (LBA)

If you have a specific question about consecutive employment or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office. Please note there are exceptions to consecutive employment rules under the SAG-AFTRA Low Budget theatrical agreements. Contact a business representative for further information on the Low Budget terms.

Performers shall be paid on a consecutive basis from the first day they are instructed to report for work, subject to the following:

Day Performers:

If you have a specific question about engagement and cancellation or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

For performers guaranteed less than $65,000

The performer (Day, Weekly) has a firm engagement, which binds the studio in the following cases:

• Written notice of acceptance 

• Contract delivered to the performer

• Script is given to the performer

• When performer is fitted, other than wardrobe tests 

This is an industry term which means that you are getting equal contractual treatment to others on the project – billing, accommodations, and any other contractual provision. This is not required by SAG-AFTRA and must be separately negotiated between Performer and Producer. 

If you have a specific question about fittings and wardrobe or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

If, at the Producer’s request, the performer provides personal wardrobe, a weekly cleaning allowance will be paid by the Producer for each outfit. 

Formal wear (per outfit, per week) $ 18.00

All other wardrobe (per outfit, per week) $ 12.00

If you have a specific question about interviews or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

The performer does not receive compensation if dismissed within one hour from the time of call. If detained by the Producer beyond one hour, the performer is paid at straight time in one-half hour units.

If you have a specific question about meal periods or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

The performer must be given the first meal break within six hours from the time of first call. The second meal break must be called within six hours from the time of call back from the first meal break. Each meal break must be no less than thirty minutes, but the Producer can deduct actual time up to one hour spent at meals.

The provisions for meal periods are the same for all performers.

If you have a specific question about mileage reimbursement and travel or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

Travel to a Location:

Overtime caused by travel time is computed at a rate of  time-and-one-half. Mileage is payable at $ .30 per mile to the performer if the performer is required to report to a location within or outside of the 30 mile Hollywood or San Francisco Studio Zones or eight mile zone in New York. There are however, exceptions as follows:

If you have a specific question about overtime or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office. Please note there are exceptions to overtime rules under the SAG-AFTRA Low Budget theatrical agreements. Contact a business representative for further information on the Low Budget terms. 

The performer’s pay, for overtime purposes, is computed from time of first call to dismissal, excluding meal periods. Overtime for performers receiving over the money breaks will be based on the applicable money break amount.

If you have a specific question about rest periods or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

Daily Rest Periods for Day and Weekly Performers:

• Studio Zone: The performer is entitled to a 12 hour rest period from the time he is dismissed until the first call for the next day. This applies for makeup, wardrobe, hairdress, or any other purpose. 

If you have a specific question about per diems or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

Per Diem and Accommodations:

On overnight locations, in addition to lodging, the Producer will provide a per diem meal allowance to be paid prior to the day or week of work. The minimum per diem amounts are as follows and only applicable if meals are not provided by the Producer.

Breakfast: $12.00

Lunch: $18.00