The only sag level that allows for deferred payments is on their short and student contracts, which allows sag actors to work for free on films that only play at festivals, free awards consideration, or on public access stations including i surmise the internet. If they are shooting an ultralow budget film or if the actor is under 5 back ground, often the actors pay can be deferred. The experimental agreement has been replaced by the short film and ultra low budget agreement. Deferred payment entertainment law law and legal definition. What every independent film producer should know about sag. The new ultralow budget agreement is a winwin for both actors and filmmakers. Both the sag short film agreement and the sag new media agreement are fairly openended when it comes to actor pay. Performer and producer are free to negotiate a higher deferred salary at the time of initial employment. As with anything related to sag, when in doubt, you should always defer to their. The sag short film agreement requires that actors be paid, but allows the payment to be completely deferred until after the film is released and released does not refer to film festival screenings or release on the internet. And if you really just want to make a film for festivals or as a calling card, or an experimental art film, make a short.
Sagaftra short film contest agreement rev 53017 3 of 12 3. The sag aftra short film and new media signatory agreements allow you to defer payment to your performers, as long as they agree to the deferment terms. Sag aftra 48 hour film project short film agreement rev. Do i need to tell them that he is just nonunion to see if they t. Short film defined a primary purpose of the short film is a learning experience in which the producer has the opportunity to work with professional performers. What every independent film producer should know about sagaftra. Sag experimental film agreement in plain english at. Ive worked on sag experimental agreements where you dont have to pay the actors unless your film gets picked up for distribution. Im making a short film, but i cant decide if ill take it to festivals or put it online.
The sagaftra short film and new media signatory agreements allow you to defer payment to your performers, as long as they agree to the deferment terms. The cons are that you have to deal with sag, which can sometimes be a pain. Easterseals disability film challenge sagaftra screen actors. In order to provide an opportunity for both the independent film producer and the starving artist to simultaneously pay bills and go after their dreams, sagaftra. Actor release for deferred pay independent filmmaker. You can do deferred, as titanium said, but sag does not always issue the release agreements to let sag actors work on lowno budget productions. The sagaftra foundations new york short film showcase is a cinematic celebration of new projects by union members, designed to encourage performers to create their own short films and web series. Want to see a sample of what the agreements look like. How to make a short film with sag actors and not kill yourself.
Contracts and resources for independent filmmakers sagindie. The essential guide to sagaftra rates 2020 wrapbook. I called sag and they stated that for him to be eligible, he has to get paid. Sometimes we are only given a short time to spend with the ones we love and a thousand hours to spend just thinking about them.
If youre working with some actors who arent in the. We listed 3 sag agreement pay rates which vary based on the films total budget. If the union, in its sole discretion, approves the application submitted in connection with the short film, the producer will be so notified and required to execute the sag aftra short film letter agreement. I asked sag new media and the guy i spoke to didnt seem to know.
For short films, the process is pretty simple and the business rep will help you navigate the process. Im a documentary filmmaker and want to use sagaftra actors for. If you have specific questions about the short project agreement, call sag aftra at 323. Sagaftra low budget agreements were created with input from filmmakers and actors to make it even easier for you to hire professional performers. Deferred payment is generally a payment made in a future date of a current debt or dues. If you have specific questions about the short project agreement, call sagaftra at. Budgeting for sag actors on your film can make the difference between. Where you plan on distributing your film can have an impact on the type of agreement youll need to follow, so be sure to check out sags options at. Film named on the information sheet and to employ professional performers in the short film under this agreement. If we dont have to pay our sag actor, what is the standard requirement or recommendation for deferred payment and what triggers it.
In order to provide an opportunity for both the independent film producer and the starving artist to simultaneously pay bills and go after their dreams, sagaftra created six 6 categories of union fees based on the films budget, length, andor student status. Easterseals disability film challenge sagaftra screen. These minimum rates are current through july 2003 and should only be used as a guide. Initial compensation is not deferrable for any program signed to the independent 2017 special new media agreement or any new media agreement that includes full rates, terms and conditions of the sagaftra television or basic agreement. I assumed that they would th him in since the project was sag. Dec 24, 2008 oftentimes, deferrals can make up the largest portion of a film s budget. Sep 28, 2016 for nonunion actors on the deadline, we drew up a contract similar to the sag short film contract but without the deferred payment. Now he booked another film and his resume is listed at sage. Initial compensation is not deferrable for any program signed to the independent 2017 special new media agreement or any new media agreement that includes full rates, terms and conditions of the sag aftra television or basic agreement. Im producing a sag new media short and i just have a question about the deferred payment deal. The project may be a film, music video, stage play, documentary, animationcartoon voiceover etc.
Screen actors guild 2020 easterseals disability film challenge. Become a backstage member orlog into view additional details, including key audition andor submission. I just wonder if i would still need an i9 form for set to certify the citizenship of the actors and that they can work on project. Lift casting call koops films film auditions backstage. Initial compensation is not deferrable for any program signed to the independent 2017 special new media agreement or any new media agreement that includes full rates, terms and conditions of. This agreement allows for both film festival screenings and freetoconsumer new media platforms. Sep 18, 2007 deferral also is depended on the size and scope of the production and how the signatory production company has aligned the show with sag. Within 10 days of release of the project, producer must pay all deferred compensation if any by check made payable to each individual performer or background actor and must make corresponding payments to the sagaftra health plan and sag pension plan collectively. How to make a short film with sag actors and not kill. Detailed budget listing all deferred and current expenses necessary to. When budgeting a film crew for a union picture, the rates and work hour limits and thresholds are set by the union and you pay them. If it is a short, you frequently will only use it for festivals and reels so youll never have to pay them a salary.
How to negotiate film crew agreements and contracts the. This means the performers do not get paid until the terms of deferral are met, which most commonly would be when the project is. Oftentimes, deferrals can make up the largest portion of a films budget. Also, vendors can bring extremely costly services, like equipment, catering, film developing, or color correction for deferred payment. Apr 15, 2015 sagaftra understands that you are broke, but so are some of its members. Find out current sagaftra scale and pay rates for 2019 and when to expect. Performer and producer are free to negotiate a higher deferred salary at. About to film and turn in all the performance contracts and th forms. Deferred payment in entertainment law refers to a payment that is made to the members of a crew of a movie like the writers, directors, actors and others at a subsequent date. Performer and producer are free to negotiate a higher deferred salary at the time of initial employment, in such event, a separate rider must be attached hereto and signed by both the performer and the producer. The sag site says short film pay is deferred, but i want to attract the best possible actors for my project.
Basic codified agreement sag agreement for a full budget feature film. Sagaftra 48 hour film project short film agreement rev. This means the performers do not get paid until the terms of deferral are met, which most commonly would be when the project is sold or picked up for distribution. They also require that your actors be paid as employees, which means noton1099s. Now casting actor for a short film about healing from trauma. Thinking everyday about the baby boy she gave up for adoption. This means that the pay can be 100% deferred exception.
Within 10 days of release of the project, producer must pay all deferred compensation if any by check made payable to each individual performer or background actor and must make corresponding payments to the sag aftra health plan and sag pension plan collectively. Now he booked another film and his resume is listed at sag e. Sag doesnt really allow deferred payments, so its not really an issue. Your sagaftra business representative will send you your actual contract when its time to sign. Aug 03, 2015 when budgeting a film crew for a union picture, the rates and work hour limits and thresholds are set by the union and you pay them. I believe all sag contracts require you to pay mileage for the actors to get from home to the set. Most small films are always short on time and cash, and end up having. We listed 3 sag agreement pay rates which vary based on the film s total budget. The deferment, however, only lasts until you release the film. Dec 05, 2015 both the sag short film agreement and the sag new media agreement are fairly openended when it comes to actor pay.
Also, the short film agreement allows you to do deferred pay, which is essentially no pay. The other actors will become eligible to join the union. Whats the deal and how to actually join no, really. So i already got approved for my new media project. The first agreement is drafted for the actors freegratis grant of herhisacting skills in the producers project. Im a sagaftra member and i want to produce my own film. These payments are compensation for the services provided by them which they agree to accept later in order to cut the production costs. Which means you have to pay your folks before the film sees daylight on any. Deferral also is depended on the size and scope of the production and how the signatory production company has aligned the show with sag. Three sworn enemies come together to help a friend in danger. However, work hours are still governed by state and federal labor laws. Sagaftra understands that you are broke, but so are some of its members.
For film, it could mean a percentage of the profit if the film gets a distribution deal whether it be for a release in theatres, on tv, or sales of dvds. There is currently not an agreement that would allow deferred pay for feature length projects without obtaining a waiver directly from sag. The second form of the agreement is the independent actor for pay. If you choose to do a different take, upload separately. Pay all professional performers employed on the short film not less. If youre looking for a sag short film agreement, this is likely the right place to start. Any time you pay an actor, you pay an additional 18. If the union, in its sole discretion, approves the application submitted in connection with the short film, the producer will be so notified and required to execute the sag. Sag requires production insurance and workers comp.
1148 584 1453 978 435 1560 1316 1596 760 1070 1315 1132 1593 365 953 332 932 291 698 1049 1313 1298 1364 164 694 763 1499 717 955 1275