Expert: Rusty Meyers - 8/4/2008

Question
I'm not in either union, but I'm wondering which one I should try for, or maybe both?

I'm currently doing film. Which means I'll probably want to work towards my SAG card, right?

Let's say I am SAG and a film I'm on gets on TV? Do I have to have an AFTRA membership to get residuals for that? Or is a SAG contract good enough?

I know lots of actors who are in both unions, and I would like to know the benefit of this. If any.

Answer
I wouldn't join any union SAG AFTRA EQUITY..  until you have enough credits and tape on yourself and are booking jobs both union and non-union to justify it.

I don't know where you live but if it's in a right-to-work state I wouldn't joining.

However if you live or plan on living in LA or NY then I would think about joining BEFORE you move there.

BTW you can just buy an AFTRA card at anytime, anyone can.

If of course you have an extra 1500.00 dollars.

If you are a broadcaster or radio announcer or planning on doing soaps then AFTRA probably isn't the way to go.

You get residuals if you were hired on a union contract even if you aren't a member, they MUST pay you.

Once you join any union that's it NO MORE NO UNION WORK EVER.

Consider what is called Financial Core through SAG, it's gives you the right to do both.

SAG of course doesn't like people to know about this loophole called Financial Core, but it's another possibility.

I've been a member of SAG (f/c) AFTRA & Equity for 30 years and fortunately I'm also vested, which means I will get a pension when I turn the right age.

However to get one vested year in SAG you must now make a minimum of 15,000 dollars a year (and that usually goes up every few years) to qualify for any benefits.

So you figure out how many days of work you must book to make it worth while to join.

Extra work is approximately 150.00 per day and principle work is about 800.00 per day.

Youre best bet is to ask your agent or manager.