Background info on me: I hold an acting degree from USC, I graduated last September. I am currently completely non-union (SAG or AFTRA). I do every non-union-friendly workshop at Actor's Co-op Group in Studio City.

I'm registered with Central Casting and have been doing extra work since last September, but there hasn't been much going on for a lot of that time because of the WGA strike... so I'm still without my vouchers needed to join SAG. Even so, it seems like an excessively bad string of luck to have been working this long without getting my hands on even a single voucher.

I'm finding that, obviously, I'm hitting a lot of walls because I'm not a SAG member. I've been told by many that agents won't consider representing me until I'm at least SAG-eligible, and I'm having trouble finding paying projects to audition for. I feel like it's the biggest thing standing in my way.

Here are my questions:
1. Should I join AFTRA so that I'll have the option to join SAG in one year if I still don't have my vouchers by then?
2. How will my job eligibility with Central Casting be affected if I do join AFTRA?
3. Am I missing something with this SAG voucher stuff, or have I just been unlucky?

And any other info that you think will be helpful. Thanks in advance!

I notice you graduated from USC and I just wanted to say hi because my son is currently a junior there. He's getting his BFA in acting. Loves it.

I am an indie film director, but don't know much about your specific problems. My guess is that it wouldn't hurt your extra work if you join SAG, but perhaps you could call Central Casting and ask them directly.

A year goes pretty quickly, so if the AFTRA dues are not too high, perhaps it's a good idea.

My only advice is the same advice I give my son: don't give up!

Fight on!

Ron

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114583/
www.ronbrownheadshots.com

Thanks for replying! I'm glad to hear that your son is loving USC, then again, it's just a fantastic program so I guess I am not surprised

The AFTRA dues are not a problem, so I guess it's just the issue of whether it'll create problems/conflicts with extra work.

I just wanna get my SAG card already! (I guess that's the non-union actor's mantra, nowadays!)

With your passion, how can you not succeed!?

Best,

Ron

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114583/
www.ronbrownheadshots.com

Another question, a very stupid one... if I join AFTRA, does it only eliminate non-union jobs from what I can submit for (through actors access or similar)? Or will there be complications as to whether I can participate in SAG projects as well?

If you join AFTRA, you can still do non-SAG jobs.

Ron

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114583/
www.ronbrownheadshots.com

quote:

Originally posted by RonBrown:
If you join AFTRA, you can still do non-SAG jobs.

Ron

That's incorrect. If you join AFTRA, you are no longer eligible to work any non-union job. (That doesn't mean that people don't do them anyway, but that's another story.)

Also, joining AFTRA doesn't automatically make you eligible for SAG after a year. You have to have had a Principal role during your AFTRA membership -- background won't count.

And just to follow up on the last post lot's of student films are non-union and SAG so if you join AFTRA you cut off all of your chances to do student films which may help you experience and resume wise.

Generally speaking even though Global Rule One(I think that's what it is called) is to prevent you from doing any non-union work my experience is that many actors don't adhere to this when it comes to theatre work, at least in LA. Not making a judgment on this but almost every non-union play I have been in, before I joined SAG;-), had union actors and some that had worked for years in television and film.

And I am sure you know this, but joining SAG is by no means a panacea. The reality is that once you are in SAG the competition level increases and even though you might get an agent a little easier you need to get the "right" agent. And the "right" agent is the one that can get you the auditions.

Personally I think the easiest way, relatively speaking, to become SAG-e outside of the whole extra voucher system is through commercial work. Commercial agents are more likely to sign you even if you aren't in SAG and you are more likely to be cast in a SAG commercial even if you are non-union. Just my two cents...

.

Originally posted by boheme:
That's incorrect. If you join AFTRA, you are no longer eligible to work any non-union job.


That's partially correct.

As an AFTRA member you may still accept SAG non-union background work.

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

quote:

Originally posted by boheme:
Also, joining AFTRA doesn't automatically make you eligible for SAG after a year. You have to have had a Principal role during your AFTRA membership -- background won't count.

Yes, I was aware of that, but should have included that in my original post.

quote:

Originally posted by Robert Kim Photography:
Originally posted by boheme:
That's incorrect. If you join AFTRA, you are no longer eligible to work any non-union job.


That's partially correct.

As an AFTRA member you may still accept SAG non-union background work.

[URL=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/]]

No, Boheme was right. Even though you would not likely ever be caught or punished for doing it-(AFTRA is the only union that could do anything about it in this instance and they never would), technically you are not allowed to do it because theatrical work has been organized-under the 4-H agreement you cannot do any n/u work where a contract has been established for that category. You can only do work in a category where there is no union jurisdiction- print work, for example. Now, if you are outside studio zones and the prod.co doesn't have to abide by SAG minimums then you are allowed to work n/u.

As for the lack of luck with vouchers-nothing unusual there. I've known people who take years trying to get them. The worst part about it, really, is the pay. Who can survive on as little as $50 a day after the taxes? Plus it eats up all your time you could be spending auditioning, etc. I would only do extra work when you have a reason to believe there is a good chance at a voucher-small call, out in the middle of nowhere where there could be SAG no-shows, etc.), or when you are somehow directly booked on one. It's too big a waste otherwise.

And boheme was also right about AFTRA-you have to have booked a principal job(at least a U/5) during that year to be SAG-E. I would try to get a U/5 on a soap opera, and if you book one then join before you shoot-so you'll be eligible in a year at the very least.

And try to get a commercial agent-but just because you have one doesn't mean you will go out on a lot of SAG auditions. Some types go out more than others. I was non-union with a commercial agent for one year but only went on one SAG audition-which was a virtual cattle call.

You have to try all of these things and hope something works out.

On a relatively minor point, LADelight, I just checked with my union rep at AFTRA, Mike Kinter. He agreed with my previous advice, 100%.

If you'd care to dispute his ruling, I suggest you call him directly.

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

This very question was asked on another board and Denny Delk, voiceover extraordinaire(Got Milk, Lexus) and AFTRA National Board member responded with the following:

"Article XXXI of AFTRA’s constitution requires that AFTRA members honor “do not work” orders applied by sister unions in their jurisdictions...Simply put, an AFTRA member cannot work non-union jobs in another performer union's jurisdiction, if that union has rules preventing its own members from working non-union: by way of example, AFTRA members may not work "over the cap" on theatrical film as non-union background; AFTRA members may not work non-union in live theater, etc."

Everyone has differing opinions on this-even AFTRA reps and board members apparently-so who knows who to believe. Bottom line-you will not get caught, and no one will care-even if someone reported you AFTRA would not do anything about it. And it would not affect your ability to get N/U extra work from Central for sure. I've heard that they even will book SAG members as N/U.

Mike Kinter consulted with the AFTRA legal department before calling me back.

This ruling came down from the very top, not a board member.

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/