It sounds good to me but for those of us who are non-union. What does it take to become SAG eligible?

Thanks!

Good talent is good talent regardless of how you choose to identify yourself. I'd be focused on the performance rather than the semantics.

Cut to the chase! Contact Tamara Daniels at SAG and ask!
Tamara Daniels - tdaniels@aftra.com

She'll set you straight!

Sean Pratt

Anthony - I'm currently non-union and only have one SAG waiver. Since I need two more before I am required to join SAG, I don't have to worry for a while. However, since I live in the Washington DC area, there is not a lot of SAG work. Have you ever heard of the term "Financial Core?" I have heard that it is a term used, but not publiczed by SAG. It means you join SAG, but if you declare you want to be Financial Core it means you can not vote and participate in SAG activities in exchange for allowing you to still work on on non-union films. Are you aware of this or is someone just blowing smoke up my a..

SAG Eligible is a "transitory" stage of being non-union and being eligible to obtain membership in SAG providing you pay the initial membership fee, of course. Personally, I don't list it on my resume because, usually, it's a relatively short time before one joins the union once they become eligible. This was the case years ago. However, in this day and age, union membership is not as prosperous in the Maryland, DC and Virginia area due to the lack of abundant work. Although I don't list it on my resume, I do on one of my websites because it is somewhat of a badge of honor and implies that one is, indeed, ready to make the transition into the union. As for what it takes to become SAG Eligible? Last I remember, either three SAG vouchers for union-sanctioned work or a speaking role in a SAG sanctioned production. This is to the best of my knowledge but you might want to double-check just to be sure!

I do not know what it takes to become SAG eligible. I'm enjoying my non-union status!

Go to the Balt/Wash sag site and you'll find information there. http://www.aftrasagdcbalt.com. It's a bit of a quandry whether to join or not to join, because you're right, there is more non-union work. However, the union protect it's workers and makes sure they are treated well and paid fairly, so one SAG job is worth many non-union ones. I'mSAGand AFTRA, but due to caretaking, haven't been doing a lot for the past few years. The thing is that it is a good thing to spread a bit and get up to the Philly and NYC market and down to NC and Va. Beach. As for listing it on yourresume, sure I'd definitely do it. It's basically telling people that you were selectedfor a good job and that you are elegible should a SAG project crop up that is worth your joining and should they want to cast you.

I've got one SAG and one AFTRA waiver. I picked up the AFTRA waiver on a PBS project where it apparently was a requirement everyone either be in AFTRA or waivered to it. (I'm not entirely sure why it was that way but I'm not complaining.:):):) Anyway, when there was a SAG project, I let them know I had the waiver. They were hurting for union people so I was granted a SAG waiver. So when I've applied to projects that are taking union and non-union I've let them know I've got the waivers - mainly in hopes that lightening will strike again:):):):) (So far it hasn't.)
I've sometimes indicated on my resume that I was waivered for these two projects. When I've been asked my union status at auditions, I've always said I'm non-union but do have the two waivers.
As to union status, I'd love to have it but you get there first.

I agree with Sean Pratt. Contact Tamara Daniels and ask. However, you need to consider whether joining SAG is beneficial. I've been a member for more than 30 years and I can only work SAG work, except in rare conditions. It's frustrating to see job after job for non-union that I can't audition for because I'm SAG. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but give it some thought. Good Luck

If you're interested in getting more of that union work (either SAG or AFTRA), then why not? It's part of your experience, right? If you're proud of the work that you did to achieve that status, then I'd list it. If you're not interested in joining SAG (and I do understand that some actors just aren't), then don't put the phrase on your resume.

Our local SAG/AFTRA office is very approachable. If anyone, union or not, has a question about membership or other concerns about either of these two unions, the staff is great - they've always been happy to help me out. You can also go to the local/branch website, "www.aftrasagdcbalt.com", and look it over. The Membership pages has many answers to joining either SAG or AFTRA. If you are mostly interested in SAG, the URL for the Membership page http://www.aftrasagdcbalt.com/?q=node/32. (By the way, the present SAG initiation fee is $1708 - dues would be extra).

My understanding of "Fi-Core" or "Financial Core" might be faulty, but I understand it as a union-member electing to not pay their full union dues, so the person then becomes a "fee paying non-member", The union-(sort of)"member" pays the percentage of union dues that are directly related to union business (which is most of the dues, by the way) but they don't have to pay any part of the dues that are related to political or ideological activities. This "fee-paying non-member" is also then usually ineligible to receive all of the union benefits available to full dues-paying members.

Anthony,

I have been acting/modeling for 11 years professionally with 6 agents.I work a lot. At least 4 gigs per month and have not joined SAG. It is wonderful and has much to offer...however, there is simply not enough SAG work to keep me alive or driven.m One day, one day.

Don't know how long you've been in the business. If not long, please concentrate on becoming a great actor first. Too many actors race to become SAG, then do not get work yet are stuck with heavy dues.

It is not the end all/be all of acting. Yes, a great badge! However, loving what you do, giving a truly credible performance and getting paid while doing it is key.....We all want to work, OFTEN !!!

Join when you feel you have made a good name for your self regionally, have worked with many directors, producers and talent agencies in all the many genres of the acting world i.e Industrials, Theatre, Commercial, Film, Web and TV industries.

There is soooo much to learn in each, which you can carry to your next performance/ gig. Not to mention, offering a well rounded resume' to impress.

It would be silly to join, pay the dues, then have only 2 auditions per year ,which you can not book because you aren't seasoned yet. Though, maybe YOU ARE well seasoned! You will know clearly when you are ready to join.

You won't need to ask anyone.

This is 1 of the most Difficult Markets in the Country to Decide IF being Union or Non-Union is Best for Your Career TODAY and for the Future. It is Because This is a VERY STRONG Union & Non-Union Market.

The question isn't about that, it is about the "eligible" designation.

The Correct term is "SAG Must Pay" or "AFTRA Must pay"
For SAG a Non-Union Actor can Do 1 Principal or 3 Background
parts Under Union Contract with Union benefits (Pay & more)
before Becoming a Must Pay. There is NEVER a time when you must JOIN a Union but Federal Law Requires that you Reimburse
(Pay) the Union for the Cost of the Benefits you received from them - Working under their Contract. The other option is Turning down any additional Union Work.

The Union Allows you to work Under their Contract for FREE for the 1st Principal or 3 Background Roles.Then it is Their Option
as to Charge you for the Benefits or not. Your option to Accept or Decline Additional Union Work.

As to your Letting Others (Agents, Casting Directors, Production Companies & Filmmakers) your status - It will open some doors and Close others. There is no Right or Wrong. If Joining the Union FAST is your Goal Advertise it - It can get you into SAG Auditions - leading to the Possibility of more Union Work and your Joining the Union.

Sean Pratt Gave you Sound Advice - Tamara Daniels OR Jane Love are Great sources of good Sound Information. I will bet 80% of what you KNOW is in fact WRONG. They can and will set you Straight on the correct Information.

There are Many Great Local Union Actors making their way Locally. If Acting As a career Is your Goal - Unions Are in your future. Work towards it now - Get the correct information and work it into your Plans.

When its time to join you will know. Continue to do good work and show up professional. For each and every non-union job you book put aside a percentage towards your SAG/AFTRA/AEA dues. The day to join will be here before you know it and nothing sucks more than not being able to join than simply not having the funds.Being an actor for years and years without joining the union is like going to school to be a doctor/lawyer/engineer and never taking your professional qualifying certs - especially since it is what you you to do as your profession, your livlihood.And if you are right for the job - it doesn't matter if you are SAG or not they will cross that bridge when they get there & talk to the folks in your local branch as well as NYC & LA.Best of luck. I have been acting in the DC area since May 2001 and a member of SAG/AFTRA since 2004, AEA since 2005 or 2006. Expand your horizons - there is tons of union acting work out here if you want it - and the MID ATLANTIC region is ripe - DC, MD, VA, PA, NC, DE, NJ, etc

I have not gotten jobs because of being in the Union. On the other hand I get calls from NYC because of SAG! I do agree there are pros and cons but I enjoy being SAG. You have gotten great advice and will know.

Sean Pratt nailed it. See his post above and by guided by it. You will not regret joining SAG.

Walt Smith

Anthony

I think adding SAG (e) to your resume is good to have on there, It shows you have some union work projects behind you and then when the time is right you will decide to join, it is unfortunate now that there does seem to be more non union work out there than union but hopefully that will change with time

Sylvia