Livestream Answers FAQs about Meals Rules for Background Performers

The SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement held the Meals & Nondeductible Breaks for TV/Theatrical Background Performers livestream on May 17. The discussion was led by National Director, Background & New York Entertainment Contracts Stephanie Perry, with SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Actors/Performers William Charlton serving as moderator. 

Perry’s presentation gave an overview of terms and provisions relating to meal periods on scripted television, film and new media productions. With a focus on language specific to background performers, viewers learned how the contracts define differences between meal breaks, grace periods and nondeductible meal breaks, or NDBs, and what performers should do if and when violations occur. 

In the live Q&A that followed, Perry answered questions from background members about common occurrences that take place on set. Topics included how contracts define what constitutes a balanced meal; meal and beverage parity between cast, crew and background performers; and items that should be provided during a NDB period. 

“[A NDB period] is your time. There may be many things that you wish to do, and having tables and chairs to sit down and comfortably eat your food or attend to any personal matter is essential,” said Perry. 

To watch the PTEOE livestream, scroll below. 

Click here to watch the previous session, Meals & NDBs for TV/Theatrical Principal Performers. Other PTEOE workshops and information sessions are available at sagaftra.org/videos.