Hi all! First I wanted to say, what a fantastic place this is! I've been lurking around here for a while, and finally decided to join. I actually do have one, probably dumb question, but I cannot seem to find the answer...

I am currently SAG-Eligible status. On my resume, underneath my name, should I just write "SAG" or should I write "SAG Eligible"? I know it's probably not extremely important, but I do want to look as professional as possible.

Thanks!

For SAG auditions, you put "SAG" and better have at least $2400 in the bank when you book.

For non-union auditions, you put "SAG Eligible"

Stay SAG-E as long as you can. Join when you actually book another SAG gig.

quote:

Originally posted by PrezPurple:
I am currently SAG-Eligible status. On my resume, underneath my name, should I just write "SAG" or should I write "SAG Eligible"? I know it's probably not extremely important, but I do want to look as professional as possible.

Thanks!

I don't think there are any truly dumb questions. (pretty sure about that anyway.) If you don't know the answer, then it's not dumb to you.

You should not put "SAG" on your resume until you are a SAG member. (They will need to verify with SAG that you are a member to hire you. Are you a SAG member? No. So don't announce on your resume that you are.) I think "SAG Eligible" is appropriate to put. It lets people know that you've gotten the qualifications to join, but haven't yet done it. It also lets them know that if they hire you for SAG work you could pay the hefty membership fee and join. Many times CDs will be dissuaded from calling in non-union actors, because they'd have to Taft-Hartley them (look it up), but I think they're much more likely to call in someone who is SAG-Eligible. Also, having that on your resume is an indication that you could, for the time being, still do non-SAG work.

I disagree.

When you are SAG Eligiible and book a SAG job, your agent will notify you and that is when you make the quick payment. SAG Eligible is no different from being a SAG member who is delinquent on dues. So, as a SAG-E, you're only delinquent on the $2400 and can easily pay it to work.

Putting SAG Eligible on a resume during a SAG audition could discourage the producers/clients/casting directors because they could wrongly assume that you're SAG Eligible because you can't afford the initiation fee.

When I was SAG Eligible, I kept two different resumes in my car. One that said SAG for when I was auditioning for SAG stuff and one that said SAG-Eligible for when I was auditioning for Non-union.

When I booked a SAG job with a RESUME WITH SAG ON IT, they gave me NO problems with the fact that I was really just SAG-E. I was notified that I got the job; made the quick payment to SAG; and worked.

Also, when you mail out to Theatrical Agents and are SAG-Eligible, put "SAG" on your resume. Putting SAG-E on your resume could discourage the theatrical agent from even wanting to meet with you because they might wrongly assume that you can't pay the fee. Theatrical Agents ONLY do SAG and AFTRA. There's no money in it for them with non-union.

Thanks, that actually helps a lot.

I am in the process of refining my resume to submit to agents, so I'll go ahead and just write "SAG" on those copies that I do send.

quote:

Originally posted by PrezPurple:
Thanks, that actually helps a lot.

I am in the process of refining my resume to submit to agents, so I'll go ahead and just write "SAG" on those copies that I do send.

For commercial agents, with the exception of CESD who strictly does SAG jobs, it's actually beneficial if you put SAG-Eligible. The reason for this is 1. because of the bad economy, there is a huge rise of decent paying non-union commercials. 2. Commercials are one of the easiest ways of getting SAG. It's a lot more difficult to get taft-hartleyed via film/tv.

PrezPurple

How did you become SAG Eligible?

If you got it via Extra SAG vouchers, I DON'T think you should join right away. That's a huge mistake that a lot of aspiring actors make. You want to stay SAG-E to build your resume and reel with non-union indie/student films and take advantage of the commercial trend of a lot of non-union commercials.

NEVER join once you're SAG Eligible. Book a SAG job and then join because you're a SAG-Must Join.

Truthteller - I completely agree. I did get eligible because I got lucky with the voucher system. I've been auditioning for plays and submitting myself for student films to build my resume. That's why I'm still Sag-E and not SAG yet. I've actually been SAG-E for almost a year.

quote:

Originally posted by PrezPurple:
...I do want to look as professional as possible.

You said you "want to look as professional as possible." For me, "as professional as possible" involves telling the truth on your resume. (Also, being a SAG member is a benchmark of being considered a professional actor -- but that's a different issue.) Until you've joined SAG, you're not a SAG member. This is not a matter of opinion. You either are or you aren't a member.

You can put whatever you please on your resume. Lots of actors (and corporate workers) do. Many resumes are works of hopeful fiction.

For you, I still say just put "SAG Eligible". It will be the truth in every scenario and requires no retraction or much further explanation. AND start putting that $2335 new member fee aside.

(That's currently the fee to join in Hollywood. Note: Fees are payable in full, but you don't have to pay immediately upon getting the job. SAG has a 30-day grace period. Note to non-Hollywood actors: There are SAG branches across the country. It costs the MOST to join in Hollywood. For instance, if you join in Portland, it only costs $759. In San Francisco, it's $1776. In Arizona, $1025. The fee in New York might now be the same as Hollywood. It was less when I joined. But, once you start accepting SAG employment in another branch area, i.e. Hollywood, you have to pay the difference in initiation fees. Still, if your home base is not L.A., it's a good way to become a member at a lower initial cost, have that on your resume while you're seeking work, and then when you get L.A. work, pay the difference, which for many people would be easier than forking over $2335 in one lump sum. For actors that don't live in L.A., find out how much it costs to join in your local branch. The job that qualifies you for SAG membership may need to have been from working in that local branch. Call SAG and ask.

Use 1-800-SAG-0767 to reach a Branch office toll free. Your call will be transferred to the nearest office based on the area code from which you are calling. Or find local numbers on their website.)

So, Pinocchio, you want to be a real boy, "Always let your conscience be your guide" -- Jiminy Cricket

Some useful links:
SAG: Steps to Join

SAG Local Branch Contact Info

quote:

Originally posted by PrezPurple:
Truthteller - I completely agree. I did get eligible because I got lucky with the voucher system. I've been auditioning for plays and submitting myself for student films to build my resume. That's why I'm still Sag-E and not SAG yet. I've actually been SAG-E for almost a year.

Stay SAG-E until you actually book a Union gig. Think of booking that job as validation for joining.

I also got lucky and got my SAG vouchers VERY early. I refused to join because I didn't earn it. I got lucky. NONE of my heroes got their SAG card because of Extra Vouchers. It wasn't like that 10 years ago so I wanted to EARN SAG like the big stars did, nailing a SAG audition. I remained SAG-E for over a year too, building up my resume and reel. When I booked a SAG job, it was validation that I was now ready to work with the big boys after hard work.