Pre-Production

Step 1

These are the steps you must take prior to your first day of travel, rehearsal/table read, or principal photography, whichever comes first (we recommend giving yourself at least three weeks).

Start by completing the Signatory Application for Low Budget Agreements.*

Please submit your application no less than 4-6 weeks before your first date of work, including travel, rehearsal, and principal photography. Failure to submit a Preliminary Information Form or Signatory Application in a timely manner may result in delays and/or your project not being granted clearance by SAG-AFTRA.

Within a few days, you will be emailed a packet of information and documents.

Step 2

Required Documents

Complete and return the following requested documents:

1. Signatory Producer’s Company Formation Documents
2. Company Authorization Form
3. SAG-AFTRA Agreement for Independent Producers of Theatrical motion Pictures*
4. SAG-AFTRA-Producers Pension Plan Adherence Letter*
5. Television/Theatrical Production Checklist*
6. Low Budget Agreement*
7. Complete Pre-Production Cast List
   1. If utilizing the Diversity In Casting Incentive, you will be given a Diversity Pre-Production Cast List in addition to the standard version.
8. A copy of the shooting script
9. Day Out of Days
10. Line Item Budget

*These items may be sent by your Business Representative via DocuSign to the authorized signer. Contact your Business Representative if you have any questions.

Step 3

Required Documents (cont.)

Also complete and submit documentation that indicates who is employing the performers:

• Corporation – Provide your Articles of Incorporation and executed Bylaws.
• Limited Liability Corporations (LLC) – Provide your Articles of Organization and executed Operating Agreement.
• DBA - Fictitious Business Name Statement with Clerk’s stamp

NOTE: It’s very important that the information you provide in this step is consistent with the information previously submitted.

Step 4

We also need to review any agreements you have that affect the ownership of the film and its story. These are called Chain of Title documents. Chain of Title documents usually include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A copy of Form PA or eCO (relating to the screenplay) and proof of its registration with the US Copyright Office (USCO)
• All assignment agreements relating to the film and the underlying rights, including proof of filing each with USCO (For example, certificate(s) of authorship, “work made for hire” agreements, and copyright assignments); and
• Copies of all distribution, license, and/or sales agency agreements pertaining to the right to distribute the Picture in all media and territories worldwide.

Step 5

Once we’ve received and reviewed all of the applicable documents, your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will contact you and let you know what financial assurances are needed. Financial assurances usually include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Security Deposit (in the form of a cashier’s check or wire transfer) and related Security Deposit Letter and W-9 or W-8BEN form,
2. Security Agreement(s),
3. Guaranty Agreement(s),
4. Assumption Agreement(s),
5. Interparty Agreement(s),
6. Intercreditor Agreement(s),
7. And all other financial assurances that may be required, including, but not limited to, a Collection Agreement and/or a Residuals Reserve with corresponding Custody Agreement.

Step 6

When all of these requirements are fulfilled, your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will give your production “clearance,” allowing you to verify with the Union that the Performers and Background Actors you’ve hired for your project are in good standing and can work. This is referred to as the Cast clearance process.

Include Step No Sort Order 5 Contract Low Budget Theatrical (LBA)