It is my understanding you can become SAG-AFTRA eligible after three days of background work on a SAG-AFTRA production. Is that three days in the same production or can it be on varied productions? Does becoming a SAG-AFTRA member preclude you from doing indie and student films?
Acting : SAG-AFTRA membership. by Clint Pardue
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It is easy for the producer to get a SAG contract for student films. Their are also many contracts for Indie film producers to choose from.
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It's three days total, one, two or three productions, doesn't matter. But it is a little trickier than that - production has a daily quota to fill of SAG background people. only if they fail to meet the quota do they hand out vouchers. OR they need you specifically (you've got a red car, they need red cars/ you were prominently in a scene one day, the next day they need to see you for the smaller shoot). It can also just be a up to a very nice first AD. Once you get the three vouchers you don't have to join. You are in a happy place of being SAG-eligible, able to join at any time if you are hired on a union gig, but able to do non-union films until then. And Kyle is right, SAG has many contracts for smaller projects. Unfortunately many of them prefer to go non-union. hope that helps
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Very helpful.Great question
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Great answer, @Nick Hoffa. Yes, it's 3 days total, but you do not necessarily need to get them in a row. Don't be deceived. I got my first one in a couple of months and than it took 2 years to get the next 2. And that was only b/c I got lucky and was a regular on a series where they couldn't bring new people in who hadn't been seen before. And yes now I am in the happy place of SAG E. Which means agents will consider me b/c one job will pay the fees, and yet I can still work NU. So don't be in a hurry to join -especially if you don't have credits. That will kill your career before you start.
BTW, AFI student films use SAG actors and IATSE crew.
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There are two ways of becoming SAG eligible. 3 union vouchers which means they are paying you sag rates and you are filling out a sag voucher. Generally you get those when a SAG background actor doesn't show up because they have to use a certain amount. Not often. The other way is to get cast in and have a speaking part in a SAG film... and the easiest way of all hire a film maker to make a SAG webseries and cast you in it. it costs money but it's the quickest way for sure.