Hard to believe we haven’t covered this term yet!
What exactly does it mean to be SAG-Eligible and how can you obtain that status?
Becoming a SAG Eligible actor (aka SAG-e) means you’ve met SAG-AFTRA’s minimum requirements to join and are now qualified to become a member whenever you’re ready.
This also means you can continue to work union jobs (temporarily) until you must join the union.
To become SAG Eligible, you must either book 1 union job or obtain 3 union vouchers via background (extra) work. At that point, you will automatically become eligible to join.
Joining SAG-AFTRA has many wonderful benefits, but CDs do not value or “think more of” SAG-AFTRA actors over SAG-Eligible actors, or even Fi-Core actors for that matter (hint: we have a Terminology Tuesday on Fi-Core!)
Being both SAG-Eligible and a full union member makes you viable for all union film and TV projects. We know that actors want to be mindful and take their time to join the union; whether it be for financial reasons, or to soak in the non-union & union market for as long as possible.
All reasons are valid, which is why we understand any reason for actor taking their time to join the union.
Just make sure you are listing your union status correctly on your casting profiles so that you are not missing out on audition opportunities.
SAG-Eligible does NOT = non-union. 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
The options for union status are:
1. SAG-AFTRA
2. SAG-Eligible
3. Fi-Core
4. SAG-AFTRA Must-Join
5. Non-Union
#themoreyouknow #thecastingdirectorscut #terminologytuesday #workingactor