The History of SAG-AFTRA & How to Go Union
As the world of commercial production continues to grow and evolve, navigating the requirements for working with union talent can feel like a daunting task. For producers and advertisers looking to work with SAG-AFTRA actors, knowing the ins and outs of union agreements is critical. That's why we’ve launched Union Production Talks, a new podcast designed to demystify the process of going union and hiring union talent for your next project.
In this blog post, we’ll recap some key points from our first episode, hosted by Catie Colucci, where we cover the history of SAG-AFTRA, the basics of hiring union actors, and the importance of union membership.
A Brief History of SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) is the largest union representing entertainment professionals, but it didn’t always exist as one entity. Before their merger in 2012, SAG and AFTRA were two separate unions.
SAG was founded in 1933 to protect actors from being exploited by movie studios.
AFTRA began as the Radio Actors Guild in 1935 and grew to include television performers.
Both unions played pivotal roles in securing better working conditions, benefits, and protections for their members, which eventually led to their merger, forming SAG-AFTRA as we know it today.
Why Union Talent?
When you hire a SAG-AFTRA performer, you're ensuring that your production meets high industry standards. SAG-AFTRA membership guarantees that the actors you work with are protected, from on-set safety to healthcare and fair compensation. It’s a critical part of maintaining professionalism on any commercial set.
Another important point: once you hire a single SAG-AFTRA actor, everyone else in the commercial must also be union or paid under a union agreement. There’s no mixing of union and non-union talent within the same production, although you can mix union talent with non-union crew and directors.
How to Hire SAG-AFTRA Talent
For producers and advertisers looking to hire union actors, the process may seem complex, but it's manageable once you understand the basics. Here are a few key ways to bring union talent on board:
Hire a Union Actor Directly: Actors can join SAG-AFTRA by working in a principal role on a union production or meeting specific criteria like background work.
Use a Taft-Hartley: If you're looking to hire a non-union actor for a role that requires a unique skill or appearance, you can file a Taft-Hartley. This report allows non-union talent to work under union rules for that production.
Understanding the Commercial Contract
The SAG-AFTRA Commercial Contract covers various types of performers, including principal actors and extras. Principal performers, such as actors, announcers, and stunt performers, are eligible for residuals and usage fees, while extras typically are not.
One key thing to remember is that when you hire union talent for a commercial, you’re also responsible for paying usage fees. These fees can vary depending on how and where the commercial airs, so understanding the budget implications is important.
Looking Ahead
In future episodes of Union Production Talks, we’ll dive deeper into other important topics, like commercial talent payroll, understanding union contracts, and how to navigate the world of entertainment unions with confidence. Our goal is to provide you with practical, actionable insights to make your union productions as smooth and cost-effective as possible.
If you're a producer or advertiser looking to learn more about the world of union productions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast and stay tuned for upcoming episodes. You won't want to miss the inside tips and expert advice we have in store!
