Commercials
Commercials
We have educational materials and resources available to help navigate our contract.
Digital Flipbooks
Payment Structure- Digital Flip Book
Maximum Period of Use(MPU) - Digital Flip Book
Holding Fees - Digital Flip Book
Documents
Contract Announcement- New Commercials Website
Top 5 Things Members Should Know
Get to Know The New Commercials Contract
Unpermitted Edits Examples
MPU & Holding Fee Examples
VideosCommercials 101 - Four Provisions Members Should Know
Commercials 101 - Hair & Makeup
Commercials 101 - Auditions and Casting
Podcast
Unpacking the 2022 Commercials Contract
JPC and SAG-AFTRA joint FAQs
Transition to the New Payment and Editing Structures & the Expiration of the Traditional Contract
July 18, 2022 FAQs
April 1, 2022 FAQs
Regional Commercials Codes
The Regional Commercial Codes are contracts tailored for regional advertisers to easily hire SAG-AFTRA performers at competitive rates with flexible terms.
To find out more, click here: Ads Go Local
Calculators
Commercial Calculator
This calculator can calculate payments due under the current commercials contract.
To use the Commercial Calculator, click here: Commercial Calculator
Audio Flex Commercials Calculator
This calculator can calculate payments due under the Audio Flex compensation structure in the Audio Commercials Contract.
To use the Audio Flex Calculator, click here: Audio Flex Calculator
lnfluencer Calculator
We’ve created a simple calculator to help you determine the Pension & Health contribution for your particular brand deal under the Influencer agreement.
To use the Influencer Calculator, click here: Influencer Calculator
Need a talent estimate for the Commercials Contract?
Email AdsGoUnion@sagaftra.org
Members
Commercial Claims Portal
The Commercials Claims Portal helps members submit a claim if they believe a producer has violated the Commercials Contract, Audio Commercials Contract, Infomercial Agreement or Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Contract.
To file a claim, click here: Commercial Claim Portal
Ads Go Union
The Ads Go Union Commercial Organizing Campaign is a member-driven initiative that protects and increases union commercial work.
To learn more, click here: Ads Go Union
Influencer Agreement
If you’re creating digital, branded content in front of a camera or behind a microphone, the new Influencer Agreement has you covered.
To learn more, click here: Influencer Agreement
Pre-Production
Step 1
Prior to auditions, prior to casting, prior to production, to use a SAG-AFTRA member in a commercial, there must be a SAG-AFTRA signatory attached to the project. The signatory could be an advertising agency or an advertiser. If a signatory is not already attached and you would like your company to become a signatory, complete a Preliminary Information Form.
Step 2
A SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will contact you and provide you with a packet of forms. Complete and return the following documents from your packet:
- Signatory Information Sheet
- Corporate Resolution/Limited Liability Corporation/Limited Partnership Authorization
- Credit Check
Step 3
Email the completed form to the Commercials Department.
A SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will contact you within two business days to discuss your interest in becoming a signatory.
Step 4
Once your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative has reviewed your documents and you have signed the Letter of Adherence, you may begin the audition and hiring process. At auditions, an Exhibit E Sign-In Form must be made available and returned to the Commercials Department within 15 business days of the audition date.
Step 5
Upon hiring your cast, you must clear your cast with SAG-AFTRA to verify that the performers you have hired are in good standing. This is referred to as the Cast Clearance (or Station 12) process.
Production
Step 6
On the actual shoot day(s), an on or off-camera principal performer is given an Exhibit 1 Principal Employment Contract and an extra is given an Exhibit 2 Extra Employment Contract. This contract contains information on hours of work, hours for fitting, pay rate, overtime, use type (seasonal, non-air demo, cable-only, etc.), and any special provisions that apply.
Working With Non-SAG-AFTRA Members
If any of the cast are not yet SAG-AFTRA members, you should submit the applicable Taft-Hartley Report to Comm.CoEdInfo@sagaftra.org, along with a head shot and resume, to the Commercials Department within 15 days after their work date.
Post-Production
Payment must be made to the performer within 15 business days of the session. The Pension & Health payment is made directly to the SAG -Producers Pension Plan in Burbank, CA. Specific information regarding this payment can be found on the Pension & Health Reporting Form.
And that’s it!
At any point, please feel free to contact the Commercials Department with questions. We are here to assist you in ensuring that your experience with producing under the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract is a smooth and easy process.
Thank you for working with SAG-AFTRA.