Twin Cities News and Views

As a member of SAG-AFTRA (or AEA), if you work on a student film, short film or micro/low/no-budget feature film, you must make sure the project is under a SAG contract. For the Student and Short Film Agreements, there is minimal paperwork, and the $100/day rate in the contract is deferrable, should you choose to defer your pay. So, when you hear a maker of short films talk about how it is going to be “too expensive” or there is “too much paperwork,” please send them our way for clarification — all it takes is one phone call!

For ultra-low budget feature films (under $200,000), there is a little more paperwork, and the $100 minimum rate is non-deferrable. A Pension & Health Contribution of 16.8 percent must be made as well. So, with 10 percent going to your agent, a filmmaker is looking at about $125 a day minimum to work with a professional actor — what a bargain!

If you hear about an audition for a short film and you are interested in working on it, but it says “non-union,” please take a moment and educate the filmmaker about the Short Film Agreement and have them call the TV/Theatrical Department in Chicago to get the full details. If you see a feature film project that is already offering $100/day to their actors, there is no reason that they shouldn’t consider working with SAG-AFTRA performers.

The Five Steps to Flipping Film Work:

1. Hear about audition and/or audition for a short or feature film.
2. Get the part; now you must make sure it’s under contract.
3. Have the filmmaker call Kathy Byrne in the SAG-AFTRA Chicago TV/Theatrical Department, (312) 573-8081, ext. 508, to get the proper paperwork.
4. Filmmaker fills out paperwork, you get to work.
5. Everyone is happy!

It is that simple! Good luck, and let us know how we can help — we are just a phone call away.

Contact: Kathy.Byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081, ext. 508