Using the New Media Contract

As filmmaking technology has become cheaper and more accessible, we as actors are encouraged to create our own projects and content — and why not? We have more to offer than just our acting; we have our own stories to tell.

But wait, we are proud SAG-AFTRA members and don’t want to create our own content that has us working off the card, right? Right. So now what? Well, SAG-AFTRA is aware of this and thus the New Media Contract was created in 2014. This was done so that you can create your work and still have that work be on the card.

Now you’re thinking, “I just want to write, shoot and act, but I don’t have time for complicated paperwork.” Again SAG-AFTRA understands this fact too and has made the contract pretty straightforward. Here’s an overview:

First, if you are not already a signatory of SAG-AFTRA, you must do that first (and yes you can do it online). The work must fit under the following guidelines to qualify:

● It must be an independently produced project

● Intended for initial exhibition via the internet, mobile devices or any other platform now known or which may be adopted, excluding motion pictures, video games, commercials or any type of production or medium otherwise covered by any other SAG-AFTRA agreement

● Must be either original content or derivative content

There is no minimum pay scale. Initial pay is negotiable under this agreement. However, federal, state and local minimum wage laws do apply. Performers must be paid within five days of date worked. Pay deferments are allowed if the performers agree to the deferral. 

Residuals are only due if an original, made-for-new media program’s final total cost, as exhibited, is $25,000 or more per minute and it is exhibited on a consumer-pay platform beyond 26 weeks.

Now that you have your overview, what’s stopping you? Here’s a link to the New Media page on the SAG-AFTRA website. Now go create!