How Do I Get Into the Screen Actors Guild?


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3 ways to get into SAG AFTRA

There are three ways to qualify for SAG membership.

1 - Get hired as a principal performer in a SAG signatory show.Performers may join SAG upon proof of employment. Employment must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial. Proof of such employment may be in the form of a signed contract, or original pay stubs. (least likely way in).

2 - Performers may join SAG if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers' union (AFTRA, AEA, AGVA, AGMA or ACTRA) for a period of at least one year AND has worked at least once as a principal performer in that union's jurisdiction. (If you are a member of one of these unions then you are probably not reading this).

3 - To get hired as a SAG extra for three days. (this is the most likely way to get in)

SEE "How do I get a job as an extra?"

Initiation Fees
  • To join SAG, a performer must pay an initiation fee plus the first semi-annual basic dues. The national initiation fee rate is currently $3,000 (initiation fees may be lower in some areas). Annual base dues are $201.96. In addition, work dues are calculated at 1.575 percent of covered earnings up to $500,000..
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  • Fees may be lower if you join or work in a branch area other than Hollywood. However, if you subsequently work in an area whose governing branch charged a higher initiation fee the year that you joined than you initially paid, you must pay the difference to the new branch.
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  • Understanding the issues that performers and broadcasters face, the AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union in partnership with SAG-AFTRA, has designed a loan program that eases the financial burden of the initiation fee for those who qualify.
    •  Dues
    • Dues are based on a sliding scale, with the amount determined by how much you earn under SAG contracts.

    • Each SAG member pays annual base dues of $201.96. In addition members pay 1.575% of all individual earnings under SAG contracts between $1 and $500,000.

    • Dues are calculated on an annual basis, and paid in two installments — the first on May 1, and the second on November 1. Dues are not prorated. Bills are mailed to the address on record before each due date. Members who do not receive bills are responsible for requesting duplicates.

    • Dues payments may be made by cash, check, money order, Visa or Mastercard, in person or by mail to Cashier, Screen Actors Guild, 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Please put your member ID number on your check. You can also pay your dues online if you are a logged in member of sag.org
    Legitimacy of Application

    Your application and proof of employment will be fully investigated by the Guild. Your application for SAG membership will be denied if you have falsified your credentials, or if your qualifying employment is not bona fide. 

    While it is your responsibility to ascertain the validity of your qualifying employment, the Guild will be the sole arbiter in determining whether the employer was legitimate or bogus, and whether the qualifying employment which you performed was actual production work or work created solely to enable you to gain Guild membership. Please be aware that false representation or deception on your part will jeopardize your chances to join the Guild. 

    Further, if after your application has been granted the Guild discovers such misconduct on your part, you may find yourself subject to disciplinary proceedings, which could result in your being fined, suspended and/or expelled from the Guild.

    Appointments for Admission

    If you are eligible under the conditions stated above, please contact your nearest SAG office BEFORE COMING IN so we can advise you of the amount of your joining fee and arrange an appointment with the New Membership Department.

    Submitting Proof of SAG Eligibility

    You may contact SAG about your eligibility status.  If your file is not on record or incomplete, you may submit one of the following documents as proof of eligibility;

  • Original paycheck stubs.
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  • Original activity print-out or report from the payroll company that states your name, social security number, the name of the production company, the title of the production, the salary paid in dollar amount, and the specific date(s) worked. The payroll company must submit this document directly to the SAG Membership Services Department.
    •  Background vouchers and copies of paycheck stubs are not acceptable as proof of work. Submitting these types of documents will only delay verifying your SAG eligibility.

    If you provide SAG with your original paycheck stubs, please make copies for your records before submitting them to our office.

    In addition to enclosing proper eligibility documentation, you will need to include a separate piece of paper with your name, current address, current telephone number, and date of birth. A self-addressed stamped envelope must also be included so that we may return your documents to you. We ask that you print clearly to avoid input errors. Once verification is completed, you will receive a letter of eligibility from SAG.

    Please mail your document to:

    Screen Actors Guild
    Membership Services Department – Proof of Eligibility
    5757 Wilshire Blvd.
    Los Angeles, CA 90036

    You may also deliver your documents in person to the 1st Floor Receptionist at the above address.

    Once you have submitted your eligibility documents, please wait until you receive your original documents back in the mail before contacting us at (323) 549-6769 to schedule an appointment to join.