Got your 3 SAG vouchers... now what?
So you're non-union and you've just gotten three (or more) total vouchers, what's the next step?
(If you're a client of A List, also keep us posted along your path to becoming a SAG.)
- Wait until you get your paycheck. The check stub is your proof that you worked and got paid under the SAG contract. I recommend keeping the work day vouchers too, but the check stub is more important.
- Go to http://www.sag.org/content/eligibility-check and see if SAG already has some of your work history in their system. If they do not have at least 3 SAG work days in their system, you must submit the stubs to them. Follow the directions on http://www.sag.org/content/steps-join to complete the SAG registration process.
- Initiation fees for SAG are $2335 (that's $2,277 plus the semi-annual dues payment of $58.) Payment details are listed in the second link in #2 above. (All of the initiation and first semi-annual dues must be paid in full before the SAG registration process can be continued. I believe they will let you make partial payments to your account, but nothing moves forward until you are paid in full.)
- After you pay, you will get your receipt from SAG. Sometimes it takes a few days to get it, but from this point forward, you're officially SAG. The receipt is basically your temporary card.
- Take your receipt to Central and re-register as SAG. You usually have to do the complete registration process over again, so be prepared to have ID's, money, and be ready to take new pictures.
- Your SAG card will come in the mail in a few weeks. Always bring it to set.
Hope that helps!
4 comments:
Of course after you receive your three vouchers, you are allowed to work SAG jobs for 30 days without paying the initial fee under the "Taft Hartley Act". SAG will usually send you a SAG eligible letter stating the 30 day allowment. Upon receipt, you should immediately present this letter to Central Casting,or any other casting agency along with your calling service to be posted in your file, showing that you are eligible to work union jobs.
You may continue to work Union Jobs until SAG determines you to be a "Must Join". Then you must either pay the initial fees to continue working SAG jobs, or continue working as a non-union performer until the fees are paid.
Yes, SAG will send the letter, but only if they happen to have at least 3 vouchers/SAG work days on file. It is common for SAG not to have them on file, therefore, you wouldn't get the letter until the third was presented and confirmed.
However, except for a rare exception, Central will not register someone as SAG just with a "30 day OK" letter. Someone going though the process of becoming SAG may be able to book themselves on a SAG job, except upon request of a casting director, we would not be submitting a non-union client as SAG until they have completed the initiation process.
I would also be very careful of working during a "30 day OK" period if you are not planning on paying the initiation fees to complete the SAG registration process. There are some situations where a recall might be needed after someone is past the 30 period and that can create issues with the casting companies and they might be fined.
It is better not to contact SAG nor check on your account until you are sure that you will not put yourself out of work by joining SAG. It is possible to fly "under the radar" for an unlimited amount of time. I have a friend who has 21 vouchers and continues to work non union because many of his friends went SAG and hardly ever worked again.
I think that your friends experience is a very rare one. Just using the online verification doesn't involve any interactions, so if someone wanted to check on their status, that's the easiest way.
I think that there is a lot of misinformation in our industry. I do not believe that a mythical red-flag would be placed onto anyone who just wants to check on their SAG status.
Also my suggestions are for someone who wants to become SAG and not for someone who is content "flying under the radar" (though I don't believe that there even is a background radar to fly under, but I digress.)
Someone who continues to work on union vouchers over a long period of time without disclosing this to the casting director can actually put a production and casting at risk of fines, which especially for smaller companies, can be very damaging.
More and more casting companies are running booked talent through the SAG verification system in between booking and working to verify their status. That's actually how we find out if someone is a Station 12 (non-payment of SAG dues) to call them to let them know and get it resolved.
On a personal note, I am a paid up SAG and AFTRA member and it upsets me that a non-union member has 21 vouchers in the first place. Taking union work away from union members is not good for anyone except the temporary gain of that one BG actor. Actors can easily be taken advantage of without unions, so it's sad to see and actor taking advantage of the union. Unions aren't perfect, by a long shot, but most of the time they work really hard to defend our rights.
I guess all I can say in the end, is that everyone's experience as an actor in LA is different. Many people fall into the trap of comparing themselves to their peers, but in reality, everyone is different with unique experiences.
Thats my 2 cents! :)
Post a Comment