Hello everyone, I just did a day of stand-in for a lead actor in a huge movie. Is my voucher good for 1 of the 3 you need for SAG?

As I understood it, stand-ins were automatically given a SAG voucher. Under "Type of Call" it says "Stand in." However, of the three boxes on my voucher- "Union," "Waiver/Taft Hartley" and "Non-Union"-- the Non-Union box is checked.

So can someone explain to me what this means? Does this count for 1 of my 3 or am I starting from scratch again with my next job?

you just answered your own question didn't you? Where did this "understood" come from? You can always check with production.

I have no idea if I answered my question, that's why I came here for help.

quote:

Originally posted by leafygreens:
Is my voucher good for 1 of the 3 you need for SAG?

"-- the Non-Union box is checked.

So can someone explain to me what this means?

It means this is not a sag waiver and you are starting from scratch. just imho. You can call sag and ask to be sure.

The reason I mentioned "from what I understood" about being a stand-in is because I read the following from The Complete Film Production Handbook:

"A non-union extra can be bumped up (to SAG status) for special business or to work as a stand-in (earning one SAG voucher for each day this occurs.)"

I only asked on here because it's Friday and the SAG branch is closed, and I figured someone could give me a quick answer but I guess I'll have to wait until Monday.

Hi-

On this message board we can offer advice in this situation but we can't give you a specific answer because, for one thing, we don't know the specifics regarding the film you worked on.

My advice is to call or visit SAG on Monday because they can provide you with a definite answer to your question once you provide them with info on the film you worked.

Anything else is guess work at this point.

Let us know what happens.

Hi, normally with a Sag Voucher it is usually color coded and/or depending on the RATE and SCALE of the payment, you could tell if it is a sag voucher, now if you did stand in work, normally that pay is a couple of more dollars more than a non-union extra, so it can be a bit confusing, but depending on the city, and company project the sag high rate vouchers are color coded differently than the non-union vouchers. Hope that helps.

The voucher is not color coded in any way, other than being yellow. I have a feeling it's not SAG, but what I read about stand-in's getting SAG vouchers is conflicting information. I did get paid more than the union rate, but this doesn't necessarily mean SAG. I believe I'll have to wait til I get my check in the mail to see if it says "Taft Hartley" funds. I doubt this will be the case though. Wish me luck I suppose.

If it isn't a T/H then it isn't a SAG point. Sorry. You can also tell by the amount you were paid. $60 = non SAG, $122 = SAG.

JJS, That's what I don't understand. I got "100/10" for my pay, which broken down ended up being 8 hours at $9 and 2 hours at $13, and a $50 Bump for a total of $150.

I called the SAG office and they said it was not a SAG voucher unless my paystub said Taft Hartley funds on it, which it does not.

I am confused about this because the casting agent, various internet sources, and a friend who has 2 vouchers all told me that Stand-in's get a SAG voucher. However-- my friend also didn't tell me (until AFTER I did the movie) that you have to ask them as soon as you show up if it will be SAG, because they won't give you a SAG voucher if you don't make it known that you expect one.

It makes me mad I didn't do this in the beginning because now I have to start over and Stand-in seemed like a given for me to get a SAG voucher. However this was my first movie so I guess it's a learning experience. It's just sort of infuriating that I was misled.

Hang in there! Stand-ins are not guaranteed a SAG voucher. It depends on the production company and can also depend on how many days they use you. An example is when was asked to stand-in at the last minute for a 1 day job. I did not get a SAG V, and did not expect one. But, the stand-ins who were working all the days of the entire shoot, were paid SAG.
Just remember, their are no guarantees. No matter who tells you what, take each production at a time and try to enjoy and learn from the experience.

A lot of conflicting and wrong info here. First off, the pay rates have gone up and are not 60/8 n/u and 122/8 union, at least in LA. They are $64/8 and $130/8 respectively. The stand-in rate is $145/8. Now, since the poster seems to be from elsewhere (Massachusetts?), things may be different. If the production is outside the studio zones they don't have to abide by the minimum numbers for SAG. In LA stand-ins are almost always union-SAG would have a fit otherwise. If the stand-in is n/u they usually get vouchers(it's how I became SAG eligible). You probably should have clarified with the PA/2nd AD as to what voucher you were getting-and possibly asked for a SAG voucher or used leverage to try and get one, because if you are hoping to get one you won't. Better yet, you should have asked whoever booked you. As an extra, production will always try to screw you over any way possible, just because they can. You have to be prepared to stand up and demand what you deserve at the risk of being fired, or you will be taken advantage of. What's the worst that you lose-a n/u voucher and a day's worth of minimum wage pay?

LA Delight, this was the answer I was looking for. Now I know to be more forceful, it just sucks I didn't know that before. Thanks.

Hey leafygreens--if you want to get into this further, PM me and I can contact SAG and ask the question directly for a more "official" answer.

Jackie,

I, too, would love to learn more on this. Please share any official word that comes your way.

Thanks so much,