Expert: Phil Nemy - 11/6/2005

Question
   Dear Phil,
      First I just wanna say thank you for taking the time to answer all of our questions.  That's really awesome of you and I think I speak for everyone when I say Thank you.  Now, my question is about the S.A.G.  How do I get in?  I understand that there is a fee, but I was wondering if you knew how many hours I would have to be in a film.  Are there any prerequisties that i have to take?  If i'm a extra a lot of times can I get the card?  If i just pay the fine am I in the Union?  As you can see I'm not very familiar with this particular union.  In addition, If I'm an extra do I get in to the Screen Extra's Guild or the S.A.G.  Thank you for your time.

                                               Sincerely,
                                         Eric J. Harlow

Answer
Eric,

There are a couple of ways to get into the SAG Union. First, if you work three days as an extra on a SAG film, and the Extras Coordinator is willing to give you a SAG Voucher for the day, then after you've collected three SAG vouchers, you may petition the union for membership and most of the time they will accept you. You pay your membership fee and you're in!

Another way is to be working as a non-union extra and suddenly, the director decides he wants to give a speaking line to one of the extras. He choosed you. Instantly, you are upgraded from an extra to a Day Player and you are offered the opportunity to join the union.

And still another way is that if you are a member of either AFTRA, Actors' Equity Association, or AGVA, then you may join SAG at a discounted rate. I think the initiation fee to join is around $3000 and the annual dues are $200.

Finally, the only other way to join SAG is if you audition for a director and he offers you the part, and the part is in a SAG film, then you must join the union in order to play the role.

The SEG (Screen Extras Guild) merged with SAG a few years back so now if you join SAG, you are permitted to work as either an extra and/or a speaking actor.

Hope this helps.

Phil