Any info on using SAG actors?
 

Hi all,

I'm currently in the development process for a documentary I'm shooting about the world of fashion modeling and photography. Being a fashion photographer, this appealed to me and I have a lot of contacts in this industry. The film will involve interviews with both models and photographers along with footage from an all day fashion shoot involving many models and photographers at a local mansion.

I put a call out to folks and got an overwhelming response! All of the models/photographers in the film are not getting paid to do this, but they will get copies and credit of the final film.

My question is this: I got an inquiry from one of the male models who also happens to be a member of SAG and I'm not sure how to handle him. I'd hate to eliminate him from the film simply because he's a SAG member, but, at the same time, I don't want any hassles with unions, etc.

Do any of you folks have experience with this? Any guidance you could provide would be most welcome.

Many thanks,
Michael

Michael,

A SAG actor is not suppose to work in any non-union production.

I recently wrapped up a SAG Experimental Short under SAG's Experimental contract. If you don't mind, laying 500.00 beans out, buying insurance for the period, and signing the paper work, then go for it. Your 500.00 beans will be returned to you at the end of photography after all the paper work has been noted and signed. Its not a bad process, especially, if you are planning on doing more projects.

If you search under SAG CONTRACT, I have written about the process in various places on this site.

Good Journey!

Cheers!

Derrick