SAG is a national labor union that represents professional performers and negotiates their wages and working conditions. SAG represents over 100,000 professional actors and performing artist working nationwide in theatrical features (motion pictures), television films, primetime television programs, TV commercials, interactive multimedia productions, infomercials, industrial and educational films, student and experimental films and music videos.

How to become SAG eligible: A. The performer has to have worked one day as a SAG-covered principal, or B. The performer has to have worked three days as a SAG-covered background performer, or C. The performer has been a paid up member in ACTRA, AEA, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA for a period of one year and has worked at least once as a principal performer in that union's jurisdiction.

"Must-Pay" in SAG: "Must-pay" means that the performer has either worked one time as a SAG-covered principal or three times as a SAG-covered background performer and that the "thirty days" have passed. A performer has thirty days from the day he/she becomes eligible to join. In those thirty days the performer is allowed to work under SAG's jurisdiction without having to pay dues and initiation fee for SAG membership.

Benefits of SAG membership:

Fair wages, Residual payments, Overtime compensation, Late payment penalty payments, Health insurance and pension plan, Agency Department (producer can contact agency department to locate performers), Special skills database, Headshot & resume database, Hotline Extras registration, Conservatory classes, Credit union, Informative Membership meetings and new member orientation seminars, Newsletters/publications, SAG Foundation (help w/taxes, financial assistance/welfare fund, scholarships etc.), SAG representation (deputy programs) on sets

How to join:

How much is it to join SAG? Initiation fee: $1,708 (one time fee) effective July 1, 2007 Minimum Dues: $58.00 (Higher dues payment may apply if performer has already earned SAG wages the previous year.) The initiation fee for SAG can be paid in full up front or paid in four (4) installment payments as part of the payment plan.  SAG accepts money orders, cashier's checks and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard).  Make payable to SAG or Screen Actor's Guild.

How often do I pay dues? Dues are billed twice a year (May 1st and November 1st) and are always based on the performer's previous calendar year's earnings under SAG.

How are dues calculated? $58 minimum plus 1.85% of total earnings from $1 to $200,000.00, .50% of total earnings from $200,001.00 to $500,000.00, or .25% of total earnings from $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00. SAG does not pro-rate dues for a partial dues period.

Is there an inactive status for SAG membership? Yes. A member may request inactive status when he/she has stopped working under SAG's jurisdiction and has no plans for future SAG employment. The request should be put in writing with signature (not by e-mail) and include the SAG ID number and reason for inactive status. Please fax all requests to the National SAG office at (323) 549-6792 or you may mail your request to: SAG, Attn: Membership Services, 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036-3600. Please call (301) 657-2560 x856 to request an application.

For more information on how to join, log on to www.sag.org.

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