Can a SAG Actor Work as a Producer in a Non Union Film?
As a member of SAG-AFTRA you’re probably pretty familiar with your contract and what it means. You likely realize that there are exclusivity agreements as part of your contract. What this means is that as part of your contract agreement you will maintain limited exclusivity and work only union films. Now, some members will veer from that agreement. But not without risks. So, can a SAG actor work as a producer in a non union film? If so does doing so supersede any official rules under the actor’s contract with SAG?
So, can a SAG actor work as a producer on a non union film? Not technically, as the actor would be required to get a signatory contract just as any production studio that was looking to hire a SAG actor would have to also do.
Because members of SAG and other guilds may only work with companies that represent guild signatories, as a SAG actor that is looking to produce a film you would have to become a signatory in order to produce a non-union film.
Can a SAG Actor Produce a Non-Union Film?
Technically, no. It would be against the SAG actor’s exclusivity agreement to produce a film outside of the SAG contract agreement. SAG members are covered under a SAG-AFTRA contract.
There are some who think that becoming a producer, or co-producer of a non union film will result in your SAG actor agreement contract becoming null or in the production agreement superseding your SAG paperwork, but this is not the case.
In fact, the only way that you, as a SAG Actor, may become the producer of a film is if you sign the Ultra Low Budget contract or the New Media contract.
While some will say that SAG actors take on non union film work rather frequently, what they are not telling you is that this violates official SAG exclusivity rules and could get you into hot water with your contract.
Various SAG Agreements for Low-Budget Films
If you’re a SAG Actor, can you work as a producer in a non-union film environment? The answer is, YES you can. But it will require either voiding your contract with SAG or signing a SAG-AFTRA contract to ensure your film is produced and that those working the film are properly covered.
To assist non-union workers and actors as well as SAG actors who will be working together,
Consider the various agreement considerations:
- Student Film Agreements
- Low Budget Agreements
- Micro-Budget Agreements
- Short Project Agreements
- Moderate Low Agreements
- And Ultra Low Budget Agreements
All of these provide various coverage and eligibility for SAG members to be involved in the production. So, Can a SAG Actor work as a producer in a non union film? Technically, not without a signatory agreement of some sort as listed above.
