SAG-AFTRA negotiates contracts that cover the work of media professionals in front of a camera or behind a microphone. Below are links to contract information, rates, FAQs and resources that help members and producers navigate the media and entertainment industries.

SAG-AFTRA’s broadcast members work as reporters, anchors, program hosts, DJs, news writers, editors, producers, and the like. Whether you’re behind a news desk, microphone or out in the field, your union’s news and broadcast team is working to protect your privacy and negotiating for fair compensation.

The NewsGuild-CWA is a labor union founded by newspaper journalists in 1933….NewsGuild-CWA.

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals.

At their best, a Sagittarius is extremely loyal, strong and faithful to their beliefs. They have a variety of interests and they are extremely diverse human beings. They will always make something work because they will never give up when things get tough.

Joining the unions is a big step in an actor’s professional career. It seems pretty clear that if you’re offered SAG/AFTRA membership, joining would be a boost for your career and your work possibilities. Because you’re a Chicago actor, you may want to wait a while before you join Actor’s Equity.

Typically, bigger productions are nearly all union productions. Actors typically prefer union acting jobs because they offer higher pay than non-union jobs. Also, there are guaranteed break times, warm meals, better trailers and facilities, and production insurance production.

A typical day for a crew is 10 – 12 hours and if you have the unfortunate displeasure of working on a music video, be prepared to work up to 16 – 18 hours. You will start out as a non-union extra until you qualify to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Performers may join SAG-AFTRA if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers’ union such as ACTRA, AEA, AGMA or AGVA for a period of one year, and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.

Do background actors receive residuals? No, background actors do not receive them, unless they are upgraded to principal performers.

How to become a movie extra

1. Research talent agencies. Visit casting websites to vet various talent agencies.
2. Take a high-quality headshot.
3. Sign with a casting agency.
4. Submit your work authorization documentation.
5. Begin work as a non-union extra.
6. Become a SAG-AFTRA member.

The important question – how much can you make as an extra in the UK? Expect to earn between £80 and £120 per day. But pay varies depending on what is being filmed. Movies pay more than TV, with the BBC and ITV paying different rates.