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Stage 32 + SAGindie: Breaking Down the SAG-AFTRA Signatory Process for Indie Filmmakers
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Stage 32 + SAGindie: Breaking Down the SAG-AFTRA Signatory Process for Indie Filmmakers

Taught by Colin McCormack + Shefali Vasudevan
Free
Colin McCormack + Shefali Vasudevan
Taught by
Colin McCormack + Shefali Vasudevan
Communications Manager at SAGindie

Summary

FREE webinar brought to you by SAGindie + Stage 32
 
When you’re diving into the world of indie filmmaking, one of the most critical decisions you’ll face is how to bring professional actors on board. Hiring talent through SAG-AFTRA can elevate your project, giving it the polish and credibility that opens doors to festivals, distributors, and audiences. But this process can feel daunting, especially if you’re working with a tight budget or limited experience. That’s why this webinar is so important—it’s your chance to master the essentials and avoid costly missteps while building a stronger film.
 
You might be wondering where to start or feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of the SAG-AFTRA signatory process. Many creatives hesitate because they’re unsure about the costs, the paperwork, or how low-budget agreements like Micro-Budget, Student, or Ultra/Moderate/Low Budget Project Agreements fit into their plans. Misunderstandings can lead to delays or even legal headaches, which is the last thing you need when you’re passionate about getting your story on screen. This webinar addresses those obstacles head-on, offering clarity and practical solutions to keep your production on track.
 
Leading you through this journey are two expert educators from the SAGindie team: Colin McCormack and Shefali Vaudevan. Colin is the Communications Manager at SAGindie, bringing a robust background as a writer, producer, and editor, honed through managing a filmmaker outreach program for a national animal welfare nonprofit. At SAGindie, he oversees sagindie.org, filmmaker interviews, promotions, and the Movies & Music program. Alongside him is Shefali Vasudevan, a dedicated SAGindie team member with a Film Production degree from Emerson College, hands-on experience directing shorts, developing scripts, and casting for TV. Their combined expertise will empower you with tailored insights.
 
In this Stage 32 x SAGindie webinar, you’ll get a detailed guide through the SAG-AFTRA signatory process, a breakdown of costs and options for low-budget agreements, and best practices tailored for indie producers. By the end, you’ll walk away with the knowledge and confidence to hire professional actors, elevate your project, and navigate the technical details with ease—all thanks to insider tips from Colin and the SAGindie team.

 

What You'll Learn

 

A guide through the SAG-AFTRA signatory process

  • You’ll get a detailed, step-by-step blueprint to the SAG-AFTRA signatory process, covering application steps, required paperwork, and compliance rules. Learn to handle registration, submit project specifics, and gain approval efficiently, avoiding common administrative errors.

A breakdown of the details and costs of various low-budget agreements (Micro-Budget, Student, Short, Ultra/Moderate/Low Budget Project Agreements)

  • You’ll explore an in-depth analysis of SAG-AFTRA’s low-budget options, including Micro-Budget (under $20,000), Student, Short (under 40 minutes), and Ultra/Moderate/Low Budget Agreements (up to $3 million). Uncover costs like wages, residuals, and benefits, plus the flexibility each offers for your budget.

Best practices and helpful tips for indie producers

  • You’ll gain practical strategies for managing SAG-AFTRA actors, including effective communication, schedule optimization, and resource utilization from SAGindie. Master negotiation, auditions, and error avoidance (e.g., crew misclassification), boosting your production’s efficiency and professionalism.

Q&A with Colin!

 

Who Should Attend

All independent producers, filmmakers, actors and crew that want to learn about the SAG-AFTRA signatory process.

Executive

Colin McCormack + Shefali Vasudevan
Colin McCormack + Shefali Vasudevan
Communications Manager at SAGindie

Colin McCormack

Colin McCormack is the Communications Manager at SAGindie and has worked in various capacities as a writer, producer, and editor. Before arriving at SAGindie, Colin managed a filmmaker outreach program for a national animal welfare nonprofit, assisting documentary and narrative filmmakers on production, financial grants, research, and marketing. As SAGindie’s Communications Manager, Colin oversees web operations for sagindie.org, filmmaker interviews, promotions, and special events; and manages SAGindie’s Movies & Music program.

 

Shefali Vasudevan

Shefali is excited to be working at SAGindie and helping filmmakers and actors have their projects come to fruition. She’s here to help out the team and can answer any questions you might have! She grew up in Northern California with a bunch of tech nerds, including her parents. She then went on to study Film Production at Emerson College in Boston and eventually remembered that she hated cold and moved back to the West Coast and has been living in Los Angeles since. Shefali has written and directed a few short films and worked in both narrative script development and reality TV casting. She still writes and directs in her free time as well as sings and plays the ukulele with some friends at local venues. 

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