SAG is the abreviation for Screen Actor's Guild. The Screen Actor's Guild covers all union films, commercials, videos that are shot on film. Getting a SAG-CARD is very important to a newcomer wanting to get work in Hollywood or anywhere else union projects are being filmed.

Many agents will not take an actor if he does not have a SAG-CARD. Some casting directors will only see SAG talent for their projects. If as a casting director I hire a non-union actor for a union project my producer can be fined up to 15 hundred dollars.

The paper work for hiring a non-union actor must be done 2 weeks in advance.

If it sounds like a catch 22 I guess in some cases it is; however, SAG's new membership department is busy everyday processing Taft Hartley forms making it possible for non-union actors to work and become members of SAG.

No union can be complety closed. Congress passed the Taft Hartley act which allows non-union actors to join.

There are several ways to join SAG. If you belong to a sister union such as: A.F.T.R.A. which stands for the Americian Federation of Television and Radio Artists and have worked a principle role you are eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild. The same is true for the following unions for performers.

AGVA -- Amereican Guild of Variety Artists
AGMA -- American Guild of Mucical Artists
ACTRA --ACTRA is the Canadion union. 

You can also get your SAG Card by working as an extra and getting three extra vouchers that are recognized by SAG.

Vouchers are hard to get but actors are getting them everyday. If you are interested in getting into extra work you can register with extra casting companies and they will send you out when they need your type.

You don't have to have any kind of experience to do extra work. If you are interested in doing extra work I suggest you visit Silver Screen Publishing's catalog and check out "The Hollywood Actor's Guide to Success."

 

 

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