The SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card isn’t something you should try to get so that you can become an actor. Instead, think of it as something that comes to you when you’re ready for it.
SAG’s membership department is busy everyday processing Taft Hartley forms making it possible for non-union actors to work and become members of SAG.
So what is the Taft Hartley Act?
The Taft-Hartley Act, is a United States federal law greatly restricting the activities and power of labor unions. The Act, still effective, was sponsored by Senator Robert Taft and Representative Fred A. Hartley, Jr. The Taft-Hartley Act amended the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA; informally the Wagner Act), which Congress passed in 1935.
The term Taft-Hartley has a special meaning in the entertainment industry. Specifically, for film and television actors, an actor not in the union who becomes a “principal performer” (says a line) is immediately eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild and is covered under the SAG contract with the production company for 30 days, at which point he or she must either join SAG or cease working on any union productions. Once joining the union, the actor may not work on any non-union production, per the terms of the bylaws. This allows SAG to get around the rules forbidding closed shops by providing a mechanism for new members to join the union.
Most aspiring actors are confused to understanding why you need a SAG card and how to get one.
The SAG card is not as important as you think and it’s not as difficult to get as you think.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
I was Taft Hartley’ed a few summers ago for a film. I was told I have basically as long as I want before I join SAG, but I can join any time with no expiration or time worries as far as when I can/have to join. But recently I have heard differently. Have I lost my chance to join since it has been a few years since I got Taft Hartley’ed or can I still join SAG at any time?
Thank You,
Mike
hi i wish to join the SAG but im having problems finding an agent without spending lots of money and finding film roles in my area.
any advice? i live in Rutland in the UK
Tom,
No reason to joining SAG when you live in the United Kingdom. You need to join British Equity (http://www.equity.org.uk/) which would be the equivalent to joining SAG in the States.
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