New Media (Deferrable)

The Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee has created safety bulletins. These are safety guidelines recommended by the Safety Committee. CLICK HERE for more information  

We recommend you submit your project at least 4 - 6 weeks before the start of principal photography, rehearsals or traveling performers. Failure to submit a Signatory Application in a timely manner may result in delays and/or your project not granted clearance by SAG-AFTRA.

The New Media Agreement covers original and derivative entertainment productions made for initial release on new media platforms.

Becoming a SAG-AFTRA Producer grants you access to the world’s most talented professional actors—and we’ve streamlined the New Media Agreement signatory process.

The Micro-Budget Project Agreement is designed to provide a streamlined signatory process for independent producers who have a project with a budget of $20,000 or less per picture (or per episode of episodic projects). Click here to learn more!

Step 1

Please complete and submit the following documents at least three weeks prior to your first day of shooting:

• Signatory Application
• Pre-Production Cast List
• Script/Treatment
• Budget (top sheet summary will suffice)

Step 2

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

Employer Verification

• Individual - Provide a copy of your I.D., and your Fictitious Business Name Statement (if applicable)
• Corporation - Provide your Articles of Incorporation
• Limited Liability Corporations (LLC) - Provide your Articles of Organization, LLC Operating Agreement
• Partnership or Joint Venture - Provide your Fictitious Business Name Statement (if applicable) and Partnership Agreement (if applicable).

Step 3

A SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will contact you within 2-3 business days to let you know if your production qualifies for coverage under the New Media Agreement, and to explain the next steps to becoming a SAG-AFTRA Producer.

If your production qualifies, your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will provide you with all required signatory documents for you to sign and return. 

Step 4

Unless you are deferring payment to your performers, submit all paychecks to performers and background actors no later than the Thursday following the week worked and, upon request, copies to your SAG-AFTRA business representative.  Along with paychecks, submit a Contribution form and the corresponding contributions to the P&H or H&R plan, as applicable.

During production, you will need to complete and submit SAG-AFTRA Performer Contracts and Production Time Report Forms (Exhibit G) to your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative.

After production, complete and submit the Final Cast List to your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative.

Also submit a Pension and Health Contribution Form along with the applicable payment for each performer and background actor to SAG-AFTRA Producers Pension Plan in Burbank, CA.