What are SAG Fees?
SAG (Screen Actors Guild) fees are essential components in the entertainment industry, particularly for actors, producers, and production companies working with unionized actors. The Screen Actors Guild (now merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or AFTRA, to form SAG-AFTRA) has long been a key player in advocating for the rights and well-being of actors. Among its many functions, one of the primary services SAG-AFTRA provides is the establishment of rules around compensation, including SAG fees. These fees serve to protect the financial interests of actors while also maintaining fair practices in the industry.
In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of SAG fees, what they entail, who must pay them, how they are structured, and provide examples to better illustrate how these fees work in real-world scenarios.
The Role of SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA is a union representing thousands of actors, voice-over artists, journalists, radio personalities, and other media professionals. It is primarily involved in ensuring fair compensation and working conditions for its members. The union negotiates collective bargaining agreements with studios, production companies, and other entities in the entertainment industry.
The collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) set forth by SAG-AFTRA cover various aspects of employment for actors, including wages, working hours, benefits, and other working conditions. One of the most crucial aspects of these agreements is the structure of SAG fees, which determine how much an actor is paid for their work in a project covered by the union.
SAG fees apply to projects that fall under union contracts, and they differ based on the nature of the work, the type of production, and the actor’s level of experience.
Types of SAG Fees
SAG fees can be broken down into several categories. These categories typically depend on the type of production and the role being performed. Here are some of the most common types of SAG fees:
1. Day Player Fees
Day players are actors who are hired for a single day or a specific number of days on a production. They are usually hired for small roles that don’t require a long-term commitment. The fee for a day player depends on whether they are working on a television or film project, as well as the type of production.
For example, in 2023, the minimum day player rate for a TV show under the SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement was around $1,000 per day. If an actor is hired for a single day of shooting, they would receive this amount as their compensation.
In contrast, a day player on a film might earn a slightly different fee. The 2023 SAG-AFTRA Film Agreement set the minimum for a day player’s fee at around $1,000 per day, though this can vary depending on the budget of the film.
Example: If an actor is hired to play a small role in an indie film for a day, they may receive a $1,000 fee for their work. However, if the film is a high-budget studio production, the day player fee could be much higher, depending on the negotiations with the production company.
2. Weekly Rates
Some actors are hired for longer periods of time, typically working for a week or more on a production. In such cases, SAG provides a weekly rate to compensate the actor. Weekly rates are more common for television productions where an actor may have a recurring role or a role that requires several days of shooting over a period of time.
For instance, in 2023, a standard weekly rate for an actor appearing on a prime-time network TV show under the SAG-AFTRA agreement was approximately $3,700 per week. This rate is generally based on a 40-hour work week, though the actor may be required to work more hours depending on the production’s needs.
Example: If an actor is cast in a supporting role for a TV drama and is hired for a full week of shooting, they would be compensated based on the weekly rate. If the rate is $3,700, they would receive that amount for the week of work, regardless of whether they worked 3 or 7 days.
3. Residual Fees
Residuals are payments that actors receive when a film, TV show, or commercial is re-aired or sold for distribution in another format (e.g., DVD, streaming, foreign markets). These fees are one of the most important aspects of SAG-AFTRA contracts, as they ensure that actors continue to receive compensation for the ongoing success of a project they have worked on.
Residuals are calculated based on the success of the production, including factors like how many times it is aired, where it is distributed, and the medium in which it is shown. Residuals are paid out in varying amounts, depending on the specific SAG-AFTRA agreement, with fees varying for TV shows, films, and commercials.
For example, an actor may receive a residual payment if a TV show they appeared in is sold to a streaming platform or aired in syndication. These payments can be substantial, especially for popular shows, and provide an ongoing income stream for actors after the initial filming process.
Example: An actor who appeared in a hit TV series that gets picked up by a streaming platform like Netflix could receive residual payments every time the show is watched. If the show is streamed millions of times, the actor could earn hundreds of thousands of dollars in residual fees over time.
4. Background Actor Fees
Background actors, also known as extras, are those who appear in a scene but do not have speaking roles. While their roles are smaller, background actors still need to be compensated fairly for their work. SAG-AFTRA sets the minimum rates for background actors, which are generally lower than those for principal actors.
For example, in 2023, the minimum fee for a background actor on a TV production was around $200 per day, while the rate for film background actors was slightly higher, at around $250 per day.
Example: If a background actor is hired to appear in a crowd scene in a movie, they would likely receive a fee of $250 for the day, regardless of how long they are on set or how many scenes they appear in.
5. Commercial Fees
Actors who appear in commercials are also subject to SAG fees. Commercials are typically short advertisements that are aired on television, online, or in theaters. The compensation for commercial actors can vary greatly depending on factors such as the commercial’s distribution, duration, and target audience.
Commercial fees can be quite lucrative for actors, especially if the commercial is widely aired or runs for an extended period. For instance, actors appearing in national TV commercials can receive significant compensation, with fees ranging from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars for high-profile commercials.
Example: An actor who appears in a national TV commercial may receive an upfront payment of $10,000 for the initial shoot. If the commercial is rerun on various platforms, the actor may earn additional residual payments over time based on the commercial’s airtime and distribution.
6. Minimum Pay Scales
SAG-AFTRA sets minimum pay scales for all unionized actors, ensuring that they are paid fairly for their work. These minimums are adjusted periodically and depend on the type of production, the actor’s role, and the union contract in place.
For example, a 2023 minimum scale for a principal actor on a feature film could be around $1,000 per day or more, depending on the production type. Similarly, a principal actor on a TV show might earn a minimum of $3,700 per week, depending on the terms of the union contract.
Example: If an actor lands a role in a feature film and the contract specifies a minimum pay scale of $1,000 per day, they will receive this amount for each day they work, even if the production lasts for several weeks.
Conclusion
SAG fees play a crucial role in protecting actors’ rights and ensuring fair compensation for their work in the entertainment industry. From day player fees to residuals, these payments help guarantee that actors are compensated not only for the time they spend on set but also for the long-term success of the projects they participate in. Understanding SAG fees is essential for both actors and production companies, as it helps maintain fair industry standards and supports the livelihoods of those involved in creating entertainment.
Whether you’re an aspiring actor or someone working in production, it’s important to familiarize yourself with SAG-AFTRA’s rules, fees, and the union’s various contracts to ensure compliance and fair treatment in the industry.