For Independent Filmmakers

Welcome

Our Independent Filmmaker pages are loosely organized in the chronological order of legal and business matters you might face throughout your project -- from treatment to final cut. Please help us improve our site. If you notice an error or have a suggestion for a link or additional information, please contact us.

THIS WEB SITE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A LEGAL OPINION. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU ABOUT WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION.

SAG (Or Not)

Of course, it is your choice whether you want to use union or non-union actors. There are no guidelines regarding pay for non-union actors, but there are for Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members.

In 2005, SAG came up with some new rules for their members regarding their participation in independent films. Don’t be discouraged. The agreements for shorts (35 minutes or less and budgets less than $50,000) and ultra low-budget productions (total budget of less than $200,000) are fair and user-friendly. Sample agreements are posted online. SAG also has a special agreement that allows its members to participate in the 48 Hour Film Project.

SAG actors or not, we encourage you to consider using the union’s reasonable work rules covering hair and costumes, length of the workday, meal breaks and rest periods.

We also encourage you to use the union’s contract language addressing both hazardous work and nudity. The hazardous work provision requires the actor’s express written consent prior to the commencement of the performer’s services.

The nudity guidelines require advanced notification (prior to the interview or audition), closing the set to all individuals having no business purpose in connection with the project, no still photographs (other than production stills made by the photographer assigned to the production) and provisions for doubling.

Next: Child Labor