SAG Announces New and Revised Low Budget Agreements

I would encourage anyone making a film to go union in the talent department. Union actors have a better idea of how a set is run, where they need to be and training that will benefit the quality of your performances. They are professionals. When I made my last short film I was using non-union actors except for one. It turned out because he was SAG and I did want him for my film I needed to sign an agreement with SAG. In the end I went with AFTRA but now it looks like SAG got it together and made our lives a little easier.

Effective July 1, 2005, thanks in part to input from independent filmmakers and actors, the SAG Low Budget Agreements will be modified to make it even easier to work with professional actors.

Some of the highlights include:

A new agreement specifically designed for Short Films.
Increased budget caps.
Elimination or reduction of step-up fees.
New production incentives.
For the first time, sample copies of all the Low Budget Agreements are available to download.

Go here to find out more.