New Media (Deferrable)

The independent New Media Agreement covers Original and Derivative dramatic and non-dramatic entertainment productions intended for initial exhibition on a new media platform.  For a production to qualify for coverage under the New Media Agreement, it must:

• Be intended for initial exhibition via the Internet, mobile device or any other New Media platform now known or hereinafter devised;

• Have at least one SAG-AFTRA member in good standing cast at the time the signatory application is submitted who is cast in a sufficient role essential to the story line;

Submit initial information regarding your project to SAG-AFTRA for review at least 3 weeks prior to the start of production. You may either complete an online application at osa.sagaftra.org, or you may complete and submit a preliminary project sheet via email. Click here for the form. 

The following information is required when submitting initial production information to SAG-AFTRA:

• Completed Preliminary Project Sheet;

• Line-item budget for the production;

• A copy of the script;

• A copy of formation documents (if signing as a business) or Driver’s License (if signing as an individual).

Please note, for higher budget productions, SAG-AFTRA may require financial assurances that will require additional paperwork, and potentially a bond, to complete the signatory process.

Yes, provided the Producer is signatory to the applicable SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement. 

Please note any SAG-AFTRA member cast should be in Good Standing with the Union prior to rendering services.  Performer status is obtained by completing a Cast Clearance Report for each performer 24-48 hours prior to the start of production.

For more information on the Cast Clearance process, please visit: http://www.sagaftra.org/production-center/station12

All Principal Performers and the first ten (10) Background Actors per day must be covered under most SAG-AFTRA contracts. If, within reason, you need to hire a non-union member for any covered role, you must submit a Taft-Hartley report, within 15 days of the performers’ initial work date.

Whenever a Signatory producer hires a performer that is not a member of SAG-AFTRA they must report such hiring to the union in writing within 15 days from the performer’s initial work date (25 days on an overnight location) and include the reason for hire along with the performers headshot and resume.

Initial compensation can be negotiable* under the basic SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement for productions that do not meet the high budget thresholds; however, local, state and federal minimum wage laws still apply.

Payment is due to the performer no later than five business days from the date worked.  SAG Pension & Health (P&H) or AFTRA Health & Retirement (H&R) contributions are due on the negotiated initial compensation, at a rate of 17% for both Principal Performers and Background Actors.

You are able to defer payment to your performers under the SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement if your performers agree to the deferral. A deferral in payments means that you agree to make X payment when Y happens.

Example: A producer agrees to pay all principal performers $100 per day of work performed if and when the production receives DVD distribution and after the producer recoups production costs of $5,000. When deferring payment to the performer, P&H or H&R will also be deferred until the performers’ payment is triggered.

Yes. Per the Agreement, the Producer shall obtain and keep in force during the term of employment of any performer a policy of comprehensive public liability insurance insuring the performer(s) against any liability arising out of the performance by the performer in the course and scope of their employment.

As always, Workers Compensation Insurance is a state requirement for employers.  Please ensure to abide by all state rules/requirements and note the producer is responsible should any accidents occur on set.