Ask if any documentation is still required from you and/or the production or affiliated union. Double-check where each piece of documentation should be sent to, both for your reference and for anyone else who may have to send info directly to SAG-AFTRA on your behalf. Double-checking exactly what they need and where they need it sent to will help expedite the process once you submit your application and other paperwork.
Make copies of your original paystubs for that production. Hold onto the copies so you can include the originals with your application. Contact the payroll company that issued your pay. Ask them to send SAG-AFTRA an original activity report. Activity reports should contain the following info: your name and Social Security number; the production company, plus the title of the production; dates of employment; the dollar amount(s) paid.
SAG-AFTRA, Membership Services Department (Proof of Eligibility), 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, 7th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90038
The phone number listed is current as of 2016, but could possibly change. In that case, refer to their website or your letter of eligibility for instructions. The initiation fee as of 2016 is $3000. Although this fee is supposed to be upfront, a payment plan of installments may be possible if needed. [5] X Research source
Nonunion performers can only be hired if they show skills or qualities that are uniquely vital to a specific role. If they do, they can only win that role if no available union member possesses the same characteristics. Once hired, nonunion performers are obligated to join SAG-AFTRA if the production lasts longer than 30 days.
ACTRA (The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists) AEA (Actors’ Equity Association) AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists)
If you do obtain acting work in the United States but are not a U. S. citizen or resident alien, make sure you have the proper visa entitling you to work here. Be aware that such visas are granted solely by project and immediately expire at the end of that production.
Visit https://www. sagaftra. org/content/young-performers to learn general issues facing young actors as well as state-specific statutes. Call (323) 549-6030 to speak with their Child Actor Hotline. Attend one of their monthly orientation meetings for young actors.
Require at least three days of employment. Involve working in harsh conditions or environments. Share scenes with only a small number of other performers. Are not sought after by union members (i. e. , productions filmed outside of actor-hotbeds like New York or Los Angeles).
With TV and films, SAG-AFTRA requires the production to always hire union members whenever possible, unless special circumstances demand the use of nonunion performers. With web content, the production is free to hire nonunion performers for additional background roles once they have filled the first ten with union members.
When SAG-AFTRA researches your role, they specifically try to determine whether that role only exists as a favor in order to make the actor eligible. So if you have a choice between, say, a low-paying job as Zombie Extra #5 way out in the middle of nowhere and a higher-paying job right around the corner as Customer #11 in the background of your friend’s workplace sitcom, choose the zombie role.
