Basic Information for Those Considering a Professional Acting Career

Purpose of SAG-AFTRA

The main goal of SAG-AFTRA is to provide competitive wages and safe, excellent working conditions for our members. It’s vital to note that SAG-AFTRA does not function as some other labor unions in that we do not have a hiring hall and do not directly provide employment for our members. Our members, like all principal and background performers, must take their own steps towards developing their professional skills, and then getting agents, auditions, and roles. Through a variety of programs, activities, and industry outreach, we do everything possible to create an environment in which our members will be hired and look after their welfare once they are hired. The best thing we can do for you at the beginning of your career is to point you towards other sources of information.

Teens, Children, and Babies

There are important resources for young people in the acting profession. SAG-AFTRA has a Young Performers resources section on their website. It isn’t easy to succeed in the entertainment business and, unfortunately, if you aren’t careful, there are scam artists who will take your money and promise you acting jobs — but deliver nothing. Use the same common sense you would use in making other major purchases: network, check with the Better Business Bureau, don’t pre-pay full amounts, compare prices.

Getting Started in Hollywood, New York, or Any City

SAG-AFTRA is unable to help non-members with housing, employment, or financial assistance, or with health and safety issues except on SAG-AFTRA-covered projects. They are also not able to help with connections or recommendations to acting schools, teachers, agents, managers, or casting directors.

Many advisors recommend that you have enough savings to live for two years without income if you try to break into the acting business. Because it can be so difficult until you are really established, it is very important to have a “day job” to keep your bills paid while you audition. Day jobs range from telemarketing and food service to more career-oriented ones like teaching and production services. Success in this business is an unpredictable combination of talent, training, residence, “look”, energy, attitude, and the completely uncontrollable factor — luck! You must not take rejection personally.

The Professional Actor

To most people in the entertainment world, “professional” actor means “union” actor. The basic minimum standards in wages and working conditions that union actors today take for granted are the results of hard-won battles fought by earlier generations of performers, bringing the profession from the first minimum wage of the 1930s to today’s digital age. Because of the struggles and commitment of these pioneers, as well as the ongoing vigilance of today’s performers’ unions, professional union actors can expect fair and equitable treatment in auditions, wages, working conditions, and benefits.

Signatories

Although the particulars of wages and working conditions vary, producers in all arenas who seek to hire professional, union talent must agree to the terms spelled out in the contracts negotiated by these unions on behalf of their members. Producers who sign a contract or letter of agreement with the union in their jurisdiction are called signatories. Although membership in a union cannot guarantee an actor work, through careful monitoring of signatory productions, the entertainment unions can guarantee fair pay, treatment, and protections for their members.

Other Unions

Most people who pursue a performing career full-time are usually members of more than one union, depending on the medium and venue. Film and television performers are represented by SAG-AFTRA (formed by the 2012 merger of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA). Theatre performers, as well as stage managers, are represented by Actors Equity Association (AEA). Live music and variety performers find representation in the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). All these unions, under the umbrella of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America (the “Four A’s”), are affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

Earning a Living as an Actor

Performers generally need several potential income streams to earn enough money to sustain performing as a full-time career. For example, one year a performer might have SAG-AFTRA earnings of $7,000 from television work, Equity earnings of $6,000 from a stage production, and AGMA/AGVA earnings of $8,000 from a variety show. The following year they might have SAG-AFTRA earnings of $25,000 (because they appeared in a national commercial), Equity earnings of $5,000, and no AGMA/AGVA earnings at all. Income is variable and unpredictable. These figures are illustrative — actual earnings vary widely based on roles, markets, and experience.

Joining SAG-AFTRA

Generally, new members earn entrance into SAG-AFTRA by meeting one of the following eligibility requirements: (1) cast and hired to work in a principal or speaking role for a SAG-AFTRA signatory producer, (2) a minimum of one year’s membership and principal work in an affiliated performers’ union, or (3) cast and hired to work in an extra role for a SAG-AFTRA signatory producer at full SAG-AFTRA rates and conditions for a minimum of three work days. At the time of joining, a performer must pay an initiation fee plus the first half of his or her annual dues. For current fees, see the How to Join SAG-AFTRA guide or visit sagaftra.org/new-members.

That First Union Job

According to the federal Taft-Hartley law, which applies to California, New York, and most other states, a non-union actor may be cast and permitted to work for a SAG-AFTRA signatory under a union contract for thirty days. After that time they need to join the appropriate union in order to accept any additional union work. This is when many would-be professional actors face a hard decision.

When a new member signs an application to join SAG-AFTRA, they are agreeing to abide by all the rules and regulations of SAG-AFTRA, which establish the members’ rights as a professional union actor but also specify the member’s responsibilities and obligations. Members who are found in violation of these rules are subject to serious fines and discipline by a panel of union peers.

Rule One

Rule One is the foundation of SAG-AFTRA’s strength in protecting and representing its members. Rule One states that: “No SAG-AFTRA member shall work as an actor or make an agreement to work as an actor for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Guild which is in full force and effect.” This means that SAG-AFTRA members will not accept an acting role in any studio, independent, low-budget, pilot, experimental, non-profit, interactive, educational, student, or any production, unless that producer has signed a contract or letter of agreement with SAG-AFTRA.

In addition, by joining SAG-AFTRA, members also agree to a rule stating that members of a Four A performers’ union (SAG-AFTRA, Equity, AGVA, AGMA) will not accept non-union work in another union’s jurisdiction.

In other words, once you become a SAG-AFTRA member, you may not accept any non-union work.

As a union actor, you are expected to arrive on time, be prepared to work, perform to the best of your ability, understand the terminology and procedures of your medium, behave professionally at all times on set, and possess the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the requirements of each role. While SAG-AFTRA membership secures from signatory producers the wages and working conditions that professional actors have the right to expect, signatory producers rightfully expect the SAG-AFTRA actors they hire to be professionals.

As Mari Lyn Henry & Lynne Rogers summarized in How To Be A Working Actor:

“We cannot overemphasize that being a member of Equity, AFTRA, or SAG will not automatically bring you a job. Your only guarantee is that as a union member you will enjoy the same benefits and protections as all other union members when you work.”

“A discerning casting person will be able to tell from your resume whether you have merely purchased that union card or have earned it. If you are really new to The Business, have not had a great deal of experience, and have few contacts among professional people, you should question whether it is essential or even advisable for you to attempt to join any of the unions at this time. As a union member you will be prohibited from working with nonprofessionals, just when amateur groups, community theaters, or school groups may be the very places you should be looking to for the experience you need.”

If, on the other hand, you have already gained significant acting training and experience, possess an understanding of the art and craft of acting, have met the requirements for entrance into SAG-AFTRA, and are committed to the life of a professional actor, then you are precisely that person who should consider joining the ranks of SAG-AFTRA performers across the country who have accepted the privileges and responsibilities of being a professional union actor.

As Tom Hanks declared upon receiving the first SAG Award for Best Performance for his work in Forrest Gump (1995):

“This statuette is holding the masks of comedy and tragedy ... Both of them will make you lose sleep, question your motives, wonder why you’re there, wonder why you’re doing this in the first place. But if you’re crazy enough to want to do this — then you can get one of these: a Screen Actors Guild card.”

If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as directed by Congress, sets the visa requirements for international performers who want to work in the United States. International performers may audition on any visa, but must then obtain a specific visa (commonly the O-1) to actually work on a film, television, or electronic media project in the United States. Production companies, and sometimes talent agents and managers, apply for these visas on behalf of the performers.

Due to cost and USCIS criteria, these visas are typically granted only to major-role principal players. The O-1 visa requires that the performer has been recognized for outstanding achievement in a similar medium. Visas are issued by project, not by time period, and cannot be applied for until an employment offer has been extended. For further information about visas, seek out an immigration attorney.

Except in very limited circumstances, acting work performed outside the United States will not qualify a person for membership in SAG-AFTRA. Membership in performers’ unions in England and Australia does not automatically qualify a person for SAG-AFTRA membership.

Getting an Agent

Agents tend to be more receptive when someone they know introduces you to them. Network with friends who are in the business and with casting personnel you meet. Ask about agents and ask for referrals. A franchised agent’s tip on your picture: “It’s best if the picture looks like you on a good day — be sure the picture represents you.”

When the time comes to sign with an agent, SAG-AFTRA recommends signing with an agent who is franchised by SAG-AFTRA. The SAG-AFTRA Franchised Talent Agents list is available at sagaftra.org/find-a-franchised-agent.

Important: Legitimate talent agencies do not charge a fee payable in advance for registering you, for resumes, for public relations services, for screen tests, for photographs, for acting lessons, or for many other services. If you are signed as a client by a legitimate talent agency, you will pay such agency nothing until you work — and then 10 percent of your earnings as a performer — but nothing in advance. Legitimate talent agencies normally do not advertise for clients in newspaper classified columns nor solicit through the mail.

Learning More About the Acting Profession

The SAG-AFTRA website at sagaftra.org is a good way to learn more about this business. For information about qualifying for membership and taking the steps to join, visit sagaftra.org/new-members. You will find additional helpful books at libraries and bookstores covering the craft and business of professional acting.