SAG-AFTRA Continues to Make Auditioning Safer Through Added Self-Tape Protections and Regulations

SAG-AFTRA announced that the union has implemented new protections concerning self-taping to address members’ concerns about this common yet frequently challenging practice.

SAG-AFTRA’s National Board approved Self-Tape Guidelines for Low Budget Productions that were approved at the union's convention and reviewed by its internal committees. The Board adopted a joint resolution by the Low Budget Committee and the TV/Theatrical Standing Committee that limits all low budget projects to five pages only for a first self tape audition. Additional pages can be requested for a callback or on zoom. The provisions went into effect in October.

In addition, a newly seated Self-Tape Committee will coordinate the ongoing work of various union committees around self-taping with an eye toward added safety enhancements for other entertainment contracts.

These improvements come in the wake of a union-distributed member survey to assess the state of self-taping in the industry. The results of that survey and extended research done after the conclusion of the original study, were considered by leadership and shared with members in several online streaming productions. This data, along with meaningful self-tape improvements secured in the 2022 Commercials Contract will inform continued improvements across the union's other contract areas.

Provisions achieved in the 2022 commercials contracts include prohibiting requests for unsafe activities, multiple makeup or styling changes, angle changes in a take, and the use of multiple locations. Additionally, no special equipment or paid services may be required to audition, and sides must be provided 24 hours in advance.

Read about the self-tape survey’s findings HERE, or watch our Spotlight on Self-Tapes II video. For more discussion about members’ experiences with self-tapes, watch Spotlight on Self-Tapes.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.