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Can I work during the actors strike?
Did you know that you can STILL WORK during the strike? Even as a Union Actor? (And FYI….YES… this strike is absolutely necessary. AI and residuals are the two biggest issues.)
If you are a NON-UNION actor, this probably the best time in the history of the industry for you to book work! Non-union production has really ramped up because streamers and cable channels are getting desperate for content. If you are a UNION actor there are strike-compliant productions can work on legally.
To help you figure this out, I’ve put together a list of the types of projects in which SAG-AFTRA members can still perform, as well as a list of prohibited projects and links to official strike resources.
What projects can I work on as a union actor?
The SAG-AFTRA strike only affects specific types of work and contracts, enabling members to continue working under a number of SAG-AFTRA contracts such as:
- Union on-camera television and radio commercials
- Union voiceover and off-camera commercials including dubbing, audiobooks and podcasts
- Corporate, educational & non-broadcast (formerly “Industrial”)
- Union-approved student films
- Television programs covered by the network code, such as daytime serials/soaps, variety shows, talk shows, etc.
- Sound recordings and music videos
- Station contracts and broadcast news
- Interactive media
- Influencer Agreement
- Cameo for Business Agreement
- Short Project Agreement (SPA)
- Micro Budget Agreement (Micro)
- Student Film Agreement (Student)
What types of work are prohibited for union actors?
SAG-AFTRA has told its members not to participate in any services covered under the TV/Theatrical Contracts stated in the SAG-AFTRA strike notice. These include the following:
- Principal on-camera work. This includes acting, singing, dancing, performing stunts, piloting on-camera aircraft, puppeteering,
- performance capture or motion capture work.
- Principal off camera work, meaning ADR/looping, TV trailers (promos) and theatrical trailers, voice acting, singing, narration — including audio-descriptive services not stated in the SAG-AFTRA non-strike work guidelines, stunt coordinating and related services.
- Background work
- Stand-in work
- Photo and/or body doubles
- Fittings, wardrobe tests, and makeup tests
- Rehearsals and camera tests
- Scanning
- Interviews and auditions (including via self tape)
- Promotion of/publicity services for work under the TV/Theatrical Contracts (tours, personal appearances, interviews, conventions, fan expos, festivals, for your consideration events, panels, premieres/screenings, award shows, junkets, podcast appearances, social media, studio showcases).
- Negotiating and/or entering into and/or consenting to an agreement to perform covered services in the future, any new agreement related to merchandising connected to a covered project, The creation and use of digital replicas, including through the reuse of prior work.
- Performing on a trailer for a struck production or other ancillary content connected to a struck production.
A complete list of non-struck work was provided in the Notice to Members Regarding Non-Struck Work. If you’re not sure about whether or not you can audition for, accept or continue working on a project, by all means email sagaftrastrike@sagaftra.org.
You may also be able to work on projects produced by production companies not affiliated with AMPTP, if their projects qualify for an Interim Agreement. You can find a list of projects operating under an Interim Agreement at sagaftrastrike.org.
SAG-AFTRA Strike: Guide for Actors PDF
Want a really simple version of this? Download the PDF now… no opt-in required!
More Resources & Info:
- UPDATE: JULY 25, 2023 SAG-AFTRA Productions Approved and Signed to Interim Agreements (downloadable PDF)
What are your thoughts on the strike? Let me know in the comments below!
* Please Note: I am not an agent, manager, or casting director. I do not procure work for actors. All information, workshops and coaching are for educational purposes only and are not a guarantee or promise of employment. Thank you for being here!
