Can someone explain the benefit of SAG to me? I obviously don’t deal with production that much but from everything I’ve heard it just sounds like a giant mafia racket…

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

The talent are reliably better performers.

SAG has updated their terms in the past year, and rates are actually pretty reasonable.

For example - internet + new media is just one payment now. More edits are allowed.

There are low budget waivers you can apply for with SAG. They’re easy to get. Once granted, you can offer the same wages to union performers as non-union ones.

SAG sounds scary, and I’ve seen business affairs managers routinely scare people with worst case scenario estimates.

95% of SAG members are not making livable wages from acting.

Listen, whether it’s union or non-union, a national advertiser should be not be wanting to use someone’s image prominently for their own profit over a long period of time on campaigns with big media dollars behind it while simultaneously offering that same performer any less than a full month’s live-able wage.

Last thing … the union formed because actors died on set from working conditions. Actors lost hands, fingers, and in one famous case - their head. Sets are the equivalent of live construction zones. Even if you are opting for non-union productions, follow the unions guidelines for on set safety (for example - least 30 minute lunch breaks).

like

You’re welcome!

like

SAG as in Screen Actors Guild? If so, it’s a union. SAG card holders get health insurance from them as well as, like any union, standardized rates and conditions.

like

It’s good for the talent who get SAG cards. They get high pay, good benefits and very strict limitations on the hours they can work without overtime pay.

Like any union though, there are downsides. Getting that SAG card can be HIGHLY political. They purposely limit them to keep rates high and protect members. Nepotism is rampant when it comes to who gets and doesnt get a SAG card. SAG also carries a somewhat hefty fee to pay for the union’s leadership team.

Their operations tends to also drive down the rates of non-union actors and limits the jobs they can get pretty severely.

like

Whoa - just chiming in here to add additional context.

Nepotism isn’t super rampant to get into the union. There are clear and strict guidelines on how to get a SAG card - which involves the actors actually working a union job - as an extra or as on-camera talent. So nepotism might happen in terms of an actor getting union extra work or even getting an audition for the on-camera roles (which ultimately leads to getting into the union) but it isn’t a factor in the getting of the SAG card itself, since those rules are clear and strict and it is actually super-expensive to get in because of the initiation fee. Most SAG actors earned their cards, it wasn’t due to gaming the system or getting a free pass.

like

It’s the biggest driver for productions being shot offshore with foreign talent.

likesmart

All those ubiquitous boat productions

funny

Its a Union. Its a good thing. We should do one

like

Actors say it’s like playing the lottery. They don’t get paid for auditions or callbacks even though it costs to go to them. And the session fees for showing up on set and working their tails off doesn’t pay that much either. They only get paid if they get on air. Then they get paid a truckload. I bet we creatives would ask for fewer actors to come to auditions and callbacks if we had to pay them a little bit to show up — at least enough to cover parking in LA.

like

Correct. The only really lucrative roles are those spokesperson roles where it’s repeat work. VO is decent, but incredibly hard to get.

And the problem with those spokesperson roles are … they’re one and done. Honda won’t be booking Red Lobster’s old spokesperson. They wouldn’t be considered a fresh face (or whatever).

To be fair to the OP, the real problem I see is … the sheer bulk of people who have to be paid out. That does add up.

Holding fees add up too, but you can also get a great freelance BA who knows how to work the system.

They were smart enough to unionize a long time ago. Something I could only dream of.

It gets me a check quarterly for five lines i had in a Netflix show/movie

Yeah not bad. Wish i had booked more so i could get more royalties but happy that this thing i was in is popular

Related Posts

Not sure what to do, senior director F stopped me in the parking garage to chat and suggest a “after hour dinner 1:1” tomorrow not sure where this is going but I said yes

like
like

Would anybody mind telling me why book is no good and if it is fixable?

like

Hi guys,

Recently heard there was some sort of market correction applied for Senior Analysts in the March cycle and the same was expected for Managers in September, in the BA team. However, with the org restructure and everything how will this be impacted?

like

I can’t remember where half of these bruises came from. (Not drinking too much, just clumsy, I guess.)

funnylike

Has anyone had experience in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors? Most of my experience in college was with nonprofits but I’m currently working in corporate retail. There are a lot of things I miss about the nonprofit sector and I am considering about making the move back but want to weigh my pros and cons. I am one year out of grad school so any knowledge regarding how to navigate the workforce as a newbie is welcomed. Thank you!

likehelpfulupliftingsmartfunny

Recently graduated from university with an engineering degree in 2021 and started working as a field engineer but realized I want to try business management consulting. Any advice for a young experienced hire looking to transition?

like

Looking to transition to cloud computing sales. I have a 20 year sales history in IT sales but I have never sold any cloud computing products. Would any of the free certifications help ?

Who’s showing up with this absolute D R I P to the office??

Post Photo
funnylike

Anybody else thinks that Fishbowl is getting boring now? #shelflife

like

All I want for christmas is client value creation!

like

PwC I am holding two offers Wells Fargo and PWC Ac Bangalore.
Both offered - 33 Lpa, Exp- 8.4 years.
Which should i consider joining?
Wells Fargo PWC India.

like

What will happen if leave Musigma before my bond period? Will I have to pay bond amount or

they will just not provide experience letter(if I don't pay bond amount)? Mu Sigma Inc.

like

Hello! I’m looking for study materials for the PHR. Does anyone have recommendations for cost effective resources or perhaps willing to part with your study materials?

like

Hey smarties, anyone have athlete casting agencies they could recommend? 🙏

A shout out for the podcast The Hilarious World of Depression. Interviews with comedians, musicians and writers who suffer with depression or other mental illness.

likehelpful

Married peeps, joint or separate checking accounts?

like

Hello, any experiences by H1B holders going to the open and allowed countries like Mexico or Turkey and coming back into the US?

likefunny

Can anyone tell me what does this really mean...

Post Photo
funny

Comp and raise sanity check: $10bn fund in NE (not nyc) 4 YOE including 1 in PE. Currently 120k + 100% bonus. First of all is this low, and second what’s a reasonable raise to ask for in year 2 associate?

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Would you rather live in Williamsburg or East Village?

like

For the love of Adobe Creative Suite, get the damn brief approved BEFORE you have me start working on the assignment.

likefunny

What's your day start time? Let us know if you're in house / agency / HCP or Patient healthcare / onsite freelance / etc

like

How do you guys feel about double dipping? Working full time and freelancing else where on the side.

like

This is gross.

Post Photo
like

Lots of respect for the staffers at Spotify if they end up walking out of their jobs for something they believe in. That said what a sad mess we have gotten ourselves into when we try and censor every dissenting opinion as hate speech, especially when Joe Rogan has exhibited more journalistic value than most major news networks.

like

Does ANYONE have a good on boarding practice? Tell me more. Ours is a nightmare.

likehelpful

Are there benefits to working at a small shop versus a large agency?

like

What happens when you get laid off? Do you get to stay until the end of the day? Do you say goodbye to people or try to leave without anyone noticing?

like

Got a new job in Silicon Valley. Moving from NYC. Where should I live?

like

BAE = Bacon and Eggs 🍳 🐷

like

Made a brand video for a client would love some brutally honest feedback.

like

Anyone know of any good resources for crafting an effective multicultural media/marketing strategy?

like

Should this be the year that we say NO MORE AWARD SHOWS?!?!

Do awards help or hurt the creative industry?

like

JWT inside NYC? How is it different than normal JWT? Also is the feeling still run away from JWT?

like

🐠 creatives who have worked abroad: 1) how hard was it to get a work visa? 2) How do you get overseas agencies' interest? 3) Are there certain countries that are easier to get a job in?

like

Going to apply for a credit card. What do you have/wish you had?

like

If a job was posted on LinkedIn months ago but it has the "actively recruiting" sticker, are they?

like

Trying to find inner peace after you’ve worked all weekend to get the client the changes they desperately needed by Monday morning only to have them reply “So and so is on vacation and will check this when they get back later this week.”

Post Photo
likehelpfulfunny

What do you guys think of our new NFL spots?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal