Expert: Phil Nemy - 1/24/2009

Question
Hey Phil:

I am new to the acting industry having had roles in a few community theatre, university theatre and short films.  I am interested in what the process is for acquiring a union card because when I graduate from my university in NJ I plan to move out to L.A. to further my career.  I read what you wrote about what a union card entails which sparked my inquiry.  Thanks for the info!

Answer
Alex,

Thanks for writing. If you want to work in Los Angeles on a film or TV show that is signatory to the Screen Actors Guild Union, then you must be a member of that union. Actors who aren't members can join in a variety of ways.

The most obvious way is to attend an open-call audition, be offered a role on the SAG production, at which time you must then join the union.

The second way is to work as a non-union extra and then be given a SAG Extras Voucher three times for three days of work. Union films can employ both union and non-union extras. On occasion, a film or TV show will require a large number of extras made up from both union and non-union people. The productions orders form the casting company "X" number of extras, but occasionally, not enough Union people show up. So they can "upgrade" a non-union extra to union pay for the day by giving you a SAG voucher. Once you have three of these vouchers, you're eligible to join SAG.

Another way is for you to work as an extra and on the set, the director decides to have an extra say a line in the scene. He randomly chooses you. You are then instantly upgraded to a SAG Day Player contract and eligible to join the union.

Another way is for you to be offered a role through a Taft-Hartley contract because you can perform a certain skill or you have  a background in a particular area that the character must have. The production then completes a Taft-Hartley contract justifying to SAG why you were the best choice for the role over any other SAG member. At that point, you're eligible to join the union.

Finally, you used to be able to join SAG if you were a member of either AEA, AFTRA, or AGVA for at least one year. I'd check with these other unions to insure that this is still the case.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil