They Call Me Flipper

Flipping ... it’s not just for homes, cars or dolphins anymore. As a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, you will often have the chance to “flip” projects from non-union to union. 

Short and student films, new media projects, special occasion videos and voiceover work provide the most fertile ground for flipping. Most people producing such projects are unfamiliar with union requirements and believe, unjustifiably, that a SAG-AFTRA contract would be cost prohibitive and accompanied by an unreasonable amount of red tape and documentation. As soon as you demonstrate to them — with the assistance of the good folk like Chelsea Rodgers in our Ohio-Pittsburgh Local office — that their fears are unfounded and that having the union imprimatur is a benefit in raising the status of the project and attracting a better pool of talent, they quickly become open to the idea. It’s especially true if they really, really want you as a part of their creative team. Yes. Your undeniable talent is the lever that enables the flip. If the producer or director is convinced that your being a member of the cast is essential to the success of the project, they will be more than willing to consider going union.

If you would like to discuss the process of flipping projects at greater length, please feel free to contact chelsea.rodgers@sagaftra.org. Remember, the more we flip, the more opportunities we will create for our union brothers and sisters and for ourselves in both the near and long term.    

New Ohio-Pittsburgh Regional Commercials Code

Speaking of flipping work, the new and improved Ohio-Pittsburgh Regional Commercials Code is ready for use. The local held a kickoff seminar for members in Pittsburgh at Olive or Twist on Oct. 23 and in Cleveland at the DoubleTree in Independence on Nov. 6. 

We are currently in the process of signing signatories to the new code. If you, advertisers, or producers have questions or are interested in using the new code, please contact local Business Representative Chelsea Danley Rodgers at chelsea.rodgers@sagaftra.org. Let’s work together to make ads go local and union!

Click here to see the details of the regional code.