Whether you’re working on an upcoming feature or commercial, a decision you must make is whether or not you want to cast SAG-AFTRA actors.
SAG-AFTRA is a union that protects the rights of the best acting talent in the business– so it may seem like a no-brainer to work with its members. But casting SAG-AFTRA actors also requires you to follow strict contractual requirements– which aren’t easy to navigate and can get pricey, quick.
If you’re hoping to work with SAG-AFTRA talent, but aren’t well-versed in the contracts required to employ them, we’re here to help.
In this blog, we will introduce a beginner’s guide to SAG-AFTRA contracts to help you better understand the different types of production agreements and the variety of talent covered under each.
SAG-AFTRA contracts cover all the work completed by the media performer whether they are behind the camera or mic'd up during your production. The purpose of these agreements are to develop orderly, fair and peaceful labor relationships between producers and members. Terms include:
SAG-AFTRA contracts are mutually beneficial for all parties involved, however, if violated, producers are subject to fines.
Under each contract, producers, networks, studios, agencies and/or advertisers need to be aware of requirements under each stage of the production. A few general steps to be aware of include:
Understanding your SAG-AFTRA contract for your particular production type will ensure your project runs smoothly without risking any breaches or penalties.
There are a variety of SAG-AFTRA contracts that cover an array of performers and types of productions.
Below, we are covering a high-level overview of the following agreements:
What makes the Commercials agreement especially difficult to keep up with is that it’s updated every three years. In fact, SAG-AFTRA made its latest updates to its Commercials Contract provisions in April of 2022.
Formerly known as the Industrial Contract, the Co-Ed agreement covers various types of programs that are divided into two categories: Category I and Category II.
Pro tip: B-Roll footage shot during a commercial production would also be categorized as a Category II Industrial.
The Dubbing Agreement covers performers who sing and provide voiceover dubbing English language for content that was originally produced in a different language.
There is also a Spanish Dubbing Agreement that covers performers dubbing Spanish language for content originally produced in a language other than Spanish.
Under the Dubbing Agreement, the languages covered are:
The Interactive Media agreement covers video games, computer games, virtual reality games and some apps with user interaction. More specifically, it covers the performers that appear within these projects. A few examples include:
The Music Video Agreement covers music video performers including:
Choreographers and assistant choreographers are covered only for health purposes and retirement contributions. The Music Videos Agreement does not cover instrumental musicians and only up to 10 background actors are covered for budgets surpassing $50,000.
New Media agreements cover entertainment productions that are intended to be released on new media platforms. There are different types of New Media Contracts, including:
This agreement is designed for independent producers who have a budget of $20,000 or less.
SAG-AFTRA’s Sound Recordings Code covers recordings on digital, CDs, vinyls, audiobooks, cast albums, and other music formats alike. This contract covers talent performers, such as:
It is important to note that under the Sound Recordings Code, the music content cannot be used in any other medium, such as television, theatrical, commercial, etc. The Music Department calls these “conversions” and will handle these claims.
Television contracts vary depending on the type of project. These include:
Theatrical contracts vary based on the type of project and each has its own set of paperwork processes. The projects included are:
SAG-AFTRA contracts vary depending on the type of production and are even further categorized depending on the talent you wish to engage. Properly understanding the ins and outs of these contracts will leave you confident that your project is on the right track. Conversely, if you are not familiar with the contracts terms and regulations, they can quickly lead to increased production costs and worse– contract breaches resulting in fines.
As a third-party signatory to SAG-AFTRA Commercials, Co-Ed (Industrial) and Interactive Media Contracts, CMS Productions is happy to assist with helping you hire the best talent for your upcoming production. Contact us today to set up a consultation.
SAG-AFTRA contracts cover all the work completed by the performer whether they are behind the camera or on screen during your production. The purpose of these agreements are to develop orderly, fair and peaceful labor relationships between producers and members.
The process to getting your SAG-AFTRA contracts signed begins with filling out a Preliminary Information form that producers can now complete online through a questionnaire. After completion, a SAG-AFTRA representative will further contact your team to complete the process.
Violation of SAG-AFTRA union contracts can lead to disciplinary action such as reprimands, fines or even expulsion. It is up to the SAG-AFTRA member to ensure that the company hiring them is a SAG-AFTRA signatory and that they receive a SAG-AFTRA contract when working on their project. On the other hand, a SAG-AFTRA Signatory cannot hire non-SAG talent. Similar disciplinary actions can be taken on the signatory companies.
No. Once a producer becomes a SAG-AFTRA signatory, they may only complete SAG-AFTRA productions moving forward. This also means you can only hire SAG-AFTRA talent for those productions. This, of course, can become expensive and add a lot of additional work for many producers. That’s why it’s encouraged that producers either sign a one production only agreement (OPO) or hire a third party union signatory when seeking to cast SAG-AFTRA talent.
Item descriptionAs a third-party union signatory, CMS facilitates the hiring of SAG-AFTRA talent for commercial and corporate/educational projects. As the most trusted name in union signatory services, CMS has the relationships with union locals and representatives and the contract knowledge you require to work with the best talent and performers.
Catie is an entertainment union expert who oversees CMS Productions’ signatory services department. From features to commercials, television to new media, her diverse expertise in production services has been essential to the growth of CMS Productions since she joined the team in 2011. Catie is also responsible for the company’s marketing and business development efforts, including building and maintaining strong client relationships.
