SAG-AFTRA Q&A

What does SAG-AFTRA stand for?

• Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

• Screen Actors Guild – Alliance of Film and Television Recording Artists

• Screen Actors Guild – Association of Film and Television Radio Artists

• Screen Actors Guild – Association of Film and Television Recording Artists

What is the minimum amount of money you need to earn to be eligible to join SAG-AFTRA as an actor?

• $1,000

• $5,000

• $10,000

• $15,000

Answer explanation

To join SAG-AFTRA, actors must have earned a minimum amount of compensation from SAG-AFTRA productions or its signatory producers. As of 2023, that amount is $15,000.

How many days of work must you have as an actor before you can join SAG-AFTRA?

• 30 days

• 60 days

• 90 days

• 120 days

Answer explanation

To qualify for SAG-AFTRA membership, an actor must have worked as a principal performer under a SAG-AFTRA contract for at least 90 days.

Which of the following qualifies as eligible work towards joining SAG-AFTRA?

• Non-union work in a SAG-AFTRA covered production

• Non-union work in a non-covered production

• Union work in a non-covered production

• Union work in a SAG-AFTRA covered production

Answer explanation

Only work performed under a SAG-AFTRA contract, or under a union agreement that has been recognized by SAG-AFTRA as an affiliated performer group, is considered eligible work towards joining SAG-AFTRA.

How long do you have to join SAG-AFTRA once you become eligible?

• 30 days

• 60 days

• 90 days

• 120 days

Answer explanation

Once an actor has become eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership, they have 60 days to join the union before they lose their eligibility status.

True or False: You can join SAG-AFTRA if you have previously worked on a non-union production.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

If an actor has worked on a non-union production, they may still be able to join SAG-AFTRA if they meet the eligibility requirements based on union work performed.

What is the initiation fee to join SAG-AFTRA as an actor?

• $1,200

• $2,500

• $3,000

• $4,000

Answer explanation

The initiation fee for new members of SAG-AFTRA as of 2023 is $2,500.

Which of the following benefits are available to SAG-AFTRA members?

• Health insurance

• Pension plan

• Residual payments

• All of the above

Answer explanation

SAG-AFTRA members are eligible for a variety of benefits, including health insurance, a pension plan, and residual payments for the use of their work in various media.

True or False: SAG-AFTRA membership is required to work as an actor in the entertainment industry.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

While SAG-AFTRA membership is not required to work as an actor, many productions are produced under SAG-AFTRA contracts and therefore only SAG-AFTRA members are eligible to audition for those roles.

What is a Taft-Hartley status and how does it relate to SAG-AFTRA membership?

• ➡️➡️

• ➡️➡️

Answer explanation

Taft-Hartley status refers to a provision in labor law that allows employers to hire non-union actors for union productions. If an actor is hired under a Taft-Hartley status, they are able to work on a SAG-AFTRA production without being a member of the union. However, they will only be able to work under that status for a limited period of time before they must either become a SAG-AFTRA member or stop working on SAG-AFTRA