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Question
I work for a non-profit organization in Chicago that is interested in hiring an actor to narrate one of their promotional videos. (several spots running a variety of 30 seconds-10 minutes) This actor is actually a good friend of our president here and this actor (a somewhat well known celebrity) is willing to do the job for free.
However this actor is also a card carrying member of SAG and from what little I know, either SAG members cannot work for free or if they do, the union needs to be informed of this and certain paperwork needs to be completed. Of course my organization knows very little about how SAG works since they specialize in a different industry altogether, but they are still keen on utilizing their good friend for their cause.
What are some of the steps we should take in order to use our SAG member friend without his violating union rules? I appreciate your help
Hi Augusto,
Sorry for the delay, it's been crazy for me here.
I am eligible for SAG, but due to membership restrictions, I am not a member lest I lose the chance to act in non-union productions, so I will refer you to their website: http://www.sag.org/branches this is a page that tells you who the nearest chapter is. They would govern your region and have area specific knowledge. In some states, they have jurisdiction lines that a production may or may not fall under. I do not know whether your actor can participate in non-union projects, whether they be charitable or not. For non-union actors, there are waivers, like a "Taft-Hartley agreement that allow one time participation in union sanctioned shows without the actor having to join.
Hope this helps!
Taylor
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Answers by Expert:
Taylor Sheppard
Expertise
I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.
Experience
I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.
Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).
Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.
Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).
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