Short Project (SPA)

The Short Project Agreement covers all principal performers working on the project. The rate for principal performers is subject to negotiation between the producer and the performer (and/or their representatives).

Stunt coordinators must be covered and paid the rate set forth in Schedules K-I, K-II or K-III of the Codified Basic Agreement that is current at the time of photography.

The Short Project Agreement brings together some of the best aspects of the Short Film Agreement and the Low Budget New Media Agreement. With the introduction of the Short Project Agreement, the Short Film Agreement has been retired. The Low Budget New Media Agreement will remain available for
new media series.

There are a number of differences to be found in the Short Project Agreement, such as:

The Short Project Agreement covers projects with a maximum total budget of $50,000 and a maximum running time of 40 minutes, with the exception of a new media series. The principal shooting schedule cannot exceed 30 days (not including retakes and looping) and must be shot entirely in the United States.

The SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement is a 2018 agreement promulgated by SAG-AFTRA for short projects. The Short Project Agreement brings together some of the best aspects of the Short Film Agreement and the Low Budget New Media Agreement. The agreement is designed to be flexible and give producers more options for how their project is released.

The Short Project Agreement is not intended for any projects that are covered by another SAG-AFTRA agreement, such as animated projects, television or new media series, video games and student films.