By: David Wooddell, Barbizon USA

“Are you ready to compete as a professional? SAG-AFTRA membership is a significant rite of passage for every working professional in the media and entertainment industry.” This is the opening line you see when it comes time to join SAG-AFTRA. Now, you may be asking yourself…what is SAG-AFTRA?!

• The short version: Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television & Radio Artists.
• The long version: An American labor union representing more than 160,000 film and television principal and background performers, journalists, and radio personalities worldwide.

On March 30, 2012, SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television & Radio Artists) merged into one union. This makes it a stronger, more organized union. Now, you may be asking yourself, why is it important to be SAG-AFTRA? SAG-AFTRA work is generally considered to be substantially more prestigious than non-union jobs. This is because of the reputation the union has throughout the entertainment industry. SAG-AFTRA members have priority over non-union actors when the decision-making comes for a project.

Joining SAG-AFTRA isn’t something that brand new, “green” actors can do. As a NON-UNION actor, you have to work for your eligibility to enter this union. There are a few ways you can qualify for your membership. When you are hired as a principal performer in a SAG-AFTRA signatory show/film, you are able to apply for your membership upon proof of employment. This must be a principal/speaking role and you need to have a signed contract & pay stubs to show this proof. Another way you can join would be if you are “Taft-Hartley” into the union. You can gain a SAG-AFTRA voucher each time you perform a background role on a SAG-AFTRA project. You will need to collect 3 of these vouchers and can take anywhere from 3 months and 5 years to gain those vouchers.

Once you qualify, you will be able to pay your membership dues & receive your SAG-AFTRA membership ID. Then once you become a SAG-AFTRA member, you can benefit from all that the union has to offer. Remember, it’s a great accomplishment to gain your SAG-AFTRA membership… you are one step closer to that Oscar you’ve always wanted!

To learn more about Barbizon’s national acting and modeling program, contact us to schedule your audition.