How, Why or When Should I Join SAG-AFTRA? 2015 Edition

Just under four years ago, I made a post on whether or not to join the union(s). Since then, SAG and AFTRA have merged into SAG-AFTRA. I currently remain in the pits of union-eligible non-union hell, but now I have another four years of experience and opinion tacked onto this post.

So what has changed since then?

SAG-AFTRA
Initiation Fee: $3000 (in California)
Annual Base Dues: $201.96
(source: SAG-AFTRA's official website, visited 8/26/15)

The methods to become eligible remain exactly the same as they were for SAG.

General Benefits of Being a SAG-AFTRA Member:
1. Being paid a guaranteed minimum rate on acting jobs. SAG-AFTRA negotiates contracts for its actors. Non-union jobs can pay whatever they feel like!
2. Union protection on SAG-AFTRA productions. There are union regulations on how long you can go without a lunch period (six hours), how long you can be kept on set, how long before you can called back the next day to shoot again and various other rules. If you're non-union on a non-union production, you won't have protection and could potentially, but hopefully not, be abused in terms of getting your lunch break or how much time you spend on set.
3. Having the option of union health insurance - but only if you qualify by making the minimum amount through union acting jobs. It's unfortunate and true to say that a fair amount of SAG-AFTRA members don't make enough to qualify for their own union insurance. I don't have the exact statistic, but earning money as union actor can be difficult if you don't have that booking charm.
4. Receiving screeners for films during awards season. Basically, you'll be given the opportunity to watch screeners for major films up for awards that year. You'll only receive the screeners if you're a full member of SAG-AFTRA and haven't gone Financial Core (Fi-Core, to be discussed below). You're supposed to destroy the screener after you view it.
5. Being able to join the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory. You enroll for a $35 fee and have access to industry workshops.
6. Being able to attend SAG Foundation events. The SAG Foundation is a non-profit that is not paid for by SAG-AFTRA dues. They hold a number of useful workshops and events.
7. Various discounts. As a SAG-AFTRA member, you can get a discount for services like IMDBPro...and also on UFC gym membership.

Many actors in LA have been in the union for years - but of course this blog is geared towards the beginning actor. You shouldn't be in a rush to join the union if you don't have a pressing need to. Because once you're in the club...well, join the very large club. Just because you're a SAG-AFTRA card carrying member doesn't mean your acting career will explode over night.

SAG-AFTRA jobs will pay better most of the time. In fact, all actors really just want to be booking union jobs. However, sometimes there just isn't enough work to go around to all actors, and that's why so many don't qualify for health insurance. That's why sometimes I'm at an audition for a non-union gig and I see a union actor I know stroll in and audition as well.

Technically, SAG-AFTRA members aren't supposed to work non-union jobs because that is effectively crossing the union line. But, sometimes these members really need to pay their bills and will audition for non-union jobs. I once had an LA veteran ask me why I hadn't joined the union yet. He told me the most the union would do if I worked a non-union job while being a union member is a slap on the wrist. True, if you're a small potatoes actor doing some small gig no one will hear about, you might be able to get away with it. You probably will. But you would be going against what your union is fighting for - higher wages and regulated conditions for the working actor.

Some union members end up becoming Fi-Core, which allows them to work both non-union jobs and union without being penalized by the union. Fi-Core members end up giving up their voting rights and become "Fee-Paying Non Members."

All right, so now that I've laid that all out - what is the advantage of remaining non-union if you're eligible already?

It's of my opinion that if you're new to Los Angeles, it'll be much easier for you to find a COMMERCIAL agent if you're SAG-AFTRA-Eligible and not a full member. The fact of the matter is that there is a ton of non-union commercial work, which is bad news for us actors as the commercial world was much more financially lucrative in the past (or so the old-timers will tell us).

Commercial agencies need non-union actors to send out on non-union commercial auditions. These non-union commercials may be low paying most of the time, but going out on these auditions allows you to be seen by commercial casting offices. By auditioning and working on non-union commercials, you're building up experience in the audition room and on set. Casting directors will see your face, your work, and if they like you - it's more likely you'll be brought back for other auditions. Now, it's always possible to skip this step and come in blazing and booking union commercials left and right - but that's slightly unrealistic. You see, there have been union actors auditioning for years in LA and those union commercial audition time slots are more likely to be given to someone the casting director, ad agency, commercial director, or whomever already knows and trusts. Of course, everyone is always open to seeing new talent, especially if it's for a really rare look or skill that not everyone has. But if you're new to LA, just some average joe with no special skills and already in the union - your competition will be fierce. How many other average joes will you need to beat out to get on an agency's roster and then into a busy casting office's audition room? It'll definitely help you if you have special skills or something that will set you apart. So whatever is your selling point, work it!

No one wants to stay in the world of non-union commercials forever because there are a bunch of low-paying buyouts. Union commercials that air on network television will pay residuals each time they air (but not on the internet, unfortunately. Correct me if I'm wrong). You especially should avoid any non-union commercial that tries to buy you out in perpetuity and makes you hold a conflict. What that means is that you might earn $1000 for the day, but that's all you'll ever get and they can keep playing that commercial 10 years from now. If a commercial holds conflicts, that means you can't be in a commercial of a direct competitor.

And as more and more commercials become non-union, there is less money for actors to take home. So, it is in all actors' best interest to keep SAG-AFTRA commercials coming.

In any case, I just went on a whole commercial tangent - but basically the only advantage of remaining non-union is being able to work on non-union jobs guilt-free and being able to find a commercial agent a little easier. There is a slight possibility and murmuring that some directors will be less likely to hire you if you're still just eligible and not fully joined, but the fact is if you're really what they want for the role - they'll hire you.

All that being said, I haven't joined the union yet because my life won't drastically be different if I do. I already audition for union commercials and television as a union-eligible actor. By joining, I'd take away my non-union job opportunities. I would be able to attend cool workshops, and get discounts - but I'd become $3200 poorer without a union job lined up. Of course, when the time comes I book a real paying union job, I'll fork it over. Until then, it's not necessary.

2015 Advice for New Actors in LA

Well my beginning actors, a whole four years have passed since I moved to LA and started this blog. I looked over the posts below and much of my information still remains relevant (the self-submission sites are still exactly the same). But of course, since 2011, SAG and AFTRA merged to become one union, SAG-AFTRA, so the initiation fee has changed.

My best advice for you out there reading this is that there really isn't one solution to success and everyone's experience will be different. Don't compare yourself to someone else. What takes one person less than a year could take five years for someone else. Believe me, people who have arrived in LA after me have booked more acting jobs than I ever have. It's not always about talent - it's about your vibe, your look, and whatever the director feels like going with. You can't control everything. Go out there, meet people, work on projects that interest you - but also don't say yes to everything. Not all student films, short films, or whatever internet commercial projects go somewhere. You might not even get to see the finished product. Your time is precious, so use it wisely. Do a few projects to get set experience and reel material, but don't settle for that. There was one week in the beginning of my career when I was literally driving around all parts of LA to audition for non-paying gigs and believe me that driving really was in vain. It's true you never know who you'll meet, but there'll always be more people you need to meet. There'll always be another networking night, granted you're still alive. Don't do workshops if you're a terrible actor - at least train before you do so.

Know who you are and what you want - don't lose sight of that. Good luck! If you have any questions, holler at me.

How to Self-Submit Yourself for Acting Jobs in LA

This post is geared towards the absolutely green newbie (or I would say noob) in Los Angeles, so I am not addressing seasoned actors. Prior to coming to LA, you really should do some research. It came to my attention while I was doing background work the other day that there are some wannabe actors who seriously have no clue about anything in this industry. That's okay because we all were clueless at some point unless  you were born into the business - but sometimes it's really not okay to be absolutely ignorant about something you claim you want to pursue. You can't just walk into a symphonic orchestra with no instrument and expect to be able to play.

With that in mind, I'm going to outline several ways you can find acting jobs, paid or unpaid, on your own - without an agent. By doing so, I am potentially shooting myself in the foot by adding more competition into the already competitive pool, but I'm assuming you would have figured it out eventually (or so I would hope) anyway.

What to Join:
1. LA Casting

You absolutely must join LA Casting if you want to self-submit yourself. You have to have enough money for the approximate cost of $13-15/month depending on which package you initially sign up for. You're not going to "make it" in one month in LA, so I suggest you get either the 6-month or 1-year package to waive the $20 registration/set-up fee. Don't worry about the cost of the service - I have definitely made back my investment (mainly through background work posted on LA Casting).

So what exactly happens once you join LA Casting? You will need to upload your headshot and fill out your resume and statistics. You only get one headshot for free - each additional photo costs $15, so make sure you upload good headshots. If you don't know what a headshot is or a good headshot is, you had better Google it. I suppose I can write a post in the future as well for your clicking convenience.

LA Casting will then give you access to whatever casting calls and breakdowns have been posted on the site. You can submit your photo and resume to legitimate commercial and print castings and a lot of independent short/feature films and student films. I have not seen many theatrical roles (that is, for movies and TV) on LA Casting - so you'll have to land those auditions by other means.

2. Actors Access

Pay the annual $68 fee to join Showfax and you can have unlimited submissions on Actors Access. Two free photos are given to everyone, regardless of whether or not you have paid the $68. Additional photos cost extra. You can also pay an additional $10 and sign up on extrasaccess.com which is just for background work (I personally don't find extrasaccess too helpful, but I did book a $150 gig from that site, so I got a return on that investment).

Actors Access will let you submit for various breakdowns. In my short experience, I see more roles for theater on Actors Access than on LA Casting, but there are still breakdowns for commercials and other reality tv projects. You may also see that the same project is posted on both sites. While it could annoy whomever else is on the other end, submit on both sites because there is a chance your submission on either one of the sites will be flooded to the bottom by the thousands of other submissions that have been received. You, in short, are competing with a sea of people.

3. Casting Frontier

I believe you can set up a profile for free and submit on the public submissions board. That being said, I haven't actively used this site yet and haven't booked anything or gotten auditions from this. However, another actor I met who seems to have been fairly successful in his short year-long career recommended this site as a must.

There are other casting sites out there, such as Exploretalent.com and CAZT and who knows what else, but what I named above seem to be perfectly adequate in getting your own self-submissions. These sites won't get you onto network primetime TV, but it's a good place to start.

OTHER METHODS OF BOOKING GIGS:

Craigslist Gigs
Yes, you can use Craigslist - but beware because I personally have encountered some crazy individuals by doing so. Use your best judgment - but I ended up getting called in for a SAG Commercial audition through my craigslist email. I had submitted for the same thing on Actors Access and had gotten no response. Also here's a hint: Search under gigs.

Mandy.com
I've seen this listed under many a message board posting and another actor whom I met on a short film shoot said he had some good experience with this site. Basically you put a listing advertising yourself and your services. I have no personal experience with booking anything through this, however.

Model Mayhem
Though ever rare, there are some casting calls posted on here for commercial projects. You can also take a shot at looking for modeling gigs or photoshoots - or you might even be able to get your headshots done for free if you find a willing photographer here. The site is free to join - you just need a full-body shot plus other photos. Don't worry if you're not attractive enough, because I have seen people who are not attractive but have been accepted as users on the site.

And finally, it might be helpful to pick up a copy of Backstage, which lists what auditions are open for the given week. You might also find it useful to read the message boards there as I have.

To Join or not to Join Acting Unions

This will be a blog post in progress, dedicated to educating those completely green to world of acting unions. So seasoned actors look elsewhere or read to proof for errors.

I once had to translate what "DGA" stood for in my head as director for a project I was in mentioned it very casually. Luckily, actors will not be forking over a much higher entrance to fee to the Directors Guild of America.  Actors' unions, however, still will require you to have a couple grand lying around and give you various other restrictions (or in some cases benefits.)

I mainly will outline SAG and AFTRA as these are the most pertinent for the LA industry. The union for stage actors is AEA, the Actors' Equity Association.

1. Screen Actors Guild
How to be eligible to join:
* Work as a principal or speaking role on a SAG project
* Receipt of three SAG vouchers from background work
* Being a paid up member for at least one year in ACTRA (Canadian), AEA, AFTRA, AGMA (musical artists) or AGVA (variety artists) and then having been paid as a principal at least once

Price to join:
* Initiation fee is currently $2277
* Base annual dues are $116. In addition, 1.85% of all contracts from $1-200,000, 0.5% up to 500,000, and 0.25% to a maximum of $1,000,000 are paid to the union.

What it means: Once you join SAG, you cannot work on non-union projects.

After perusing their site, I see SAG has written a FAQ for beginners.

2. American Federation of Television and Radio Artists


How to join: Anyone with the intention of being a performer in television and radio may join AFTRA. All you must do is pay the fee and dues.


Price to join: $1600 registration fee, $63.90 minimum annual due for those earning less than $2000 on AFTRA contracts. Those earning up to $100,000 will pay 0.743% of that to the union and 0.137% up to $250,000.


What it means: You can work AFTRA jobs, but not non-union jobs (though I have personally encountered a few AFTRA members who took non-union jobs as there simply was not enough work - against union rules but seems like you can slip through the cracks)


What are the benefits of joining either SAG or AFTRA? Generally, you would have higher guaranteed rates and the option of having health insurance. Of course there may be other perks like workshops or other events.


However, joining the unions doesn't guarantee you any work. In some instances, you may end up with less work as you'd be limited to only working what the union has available at a given time. If you are very marketable type, that may not be a problem for you - but that's not the case for everyone.

Pricing Information for LA Acting Studios and Classes

I believe one standard piece of advice given to all aspiring actors who are serious about pursuing their profession is to receive training.

But a big question is, "How much do acting classes in LA cost?"

In this post, I will outline a number of acting schools and their prices. A starving actor should know how much a class should be. Information is taken from firsthand auditing or directly from the studio's website. The post will be updated as prices rise - help from others is welcome. If any information is erroneous, please inform!

Aaron Speiser Acting Studio
How to begin: Students can join at any time. Audits are $25.
Monthly Price: $750/3 months, $1400/6 months, $2500/1 year, $25 registration fee for new students, class twice a week
Format: Acting technique, scene study


Anthony Meindl's Acting Workshop
How to Begin: A $595 six-week intensive course is required for all beginners, regardless of previous experience. This course has two classes a week - one actual class and one observational class. Auditing the class is free, by appointment.
Monthly Price: $250, class once a week
Format: Cold-reading, scene study, no line memorization required
Current as of May 2011


Ivana Chubbuck Studio
How to Begin: You audit a class ($20 fee) and then have your resume examined to determine which level of class you are placed into.
Monthly Price: $275 Beginning and Advanced class, once a week, $325 Master Class
Format: Chubbuck technique


Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio
How to Begin: Must interview with studio. All students will start at the same level.
Monthly Price: $315-$340 depending on teacher, twice a week. 6-week intensive is $785 with 3 classes a week.
Format: Meisner technique training
Other info: Missing a class results in a $55 fee for a make-up class. Program is structured for two years.
Current as of September 2011


Playhouse West
How to Begin: Membership is granted after a brief interview following an audit of the class. Audits are free.
Monthly Price: $200 or $195 with a book report, class twice a week
Format: Meisner technique training, beginning with repetition exercises. Other voice and improv classes available for a fee to students.
Current as of July 2011