Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/SAG
Advertisement
Question
Hey Phil it's Zach again with another question! I have heard a lot about SAG and being in a union... what does all this mean and what would be the first steps to becoming a big time actor? Would I have to become a member of Screen Actors Guild? Or can I do it without becoming one? Thank you for all the help!
Zach,
SAG is the union that represents actors in motion picture, home video & DVD, some television and soon the internet. 97% of film and television work produced in Hollywood and throughout the USA is made with SAG actors. There is some non-union work, but not a lot. And certainly none of the top films and TV shows are produced without SAG actors. Only reality TV remains one of the biggest money-making non-SAG ventures.
You don't have to become a member of SAG, but if you want to work on a film or TV show that has signed an agreement with the union to use SAG actors, then the only way you would even be considered is if you are a member of the union.
Hope this helps.
Phil
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Phil Nemy
Expertise
I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.
Experience
Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group
Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others.
Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene.
Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.
Organizations
Director's Guild of America,
Screen Actors Guild,
Actor's Equity Association
Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.