Sag Micro Budget Agreement

The SAG Micro Budget Agreement, or SAG-AFTRA Ultra Low Budget Agreement, is a contract created by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) to provide a framework for low-budget film productions. The agreement is targeted at productions with budgets of $250,000 or less, and it aims to make it easier for producers to hire SAG-AFTRA actors while staying within their budget constraints.

The SAG Micro Budget Agreement has several important provisions that producers and actors should be aware of. One key aspect is the compensation structure. Under the agreement, actors are paid a daily rate of $125 or a weekly rate of $500, depending on the length of the shoot. This rate is significantly lower than the standard SAG-AFTRA rates, which can make it more feasible for low-budget productions to hire union actors.

Another important aspect of the agreement is the waiver of certain union rules and regulations for ultra low-budget productions. For example, the agreement waives the requirement for a full-time union representative on set, which can save production costs. It also allows producers to use non-union crew members, as long as they meet certain qualifications and are paid at or above minimum wage.

However, there are certain limitations to the SAG Micro Budget Agreement that both producers and actors should be aware of. For example, the agreement limits the number of shooting days to 14 and the number of weekly salary payments to three. It also requires that productions secure errors and omissions insurance, which can be an additional expense.

In order to qualify for the SAG Micro Budget Agreement, productions must meet certain criteria, such as having a budget of $250,000 or less, being intended for commercial exploitation, and submitting a full script and budget breakdown to SAG-AFTRA for approval.

Overall, the SAG Micro Budget Agreement can be a valuable option for producers of low-budget films who want to hire union actors. However, it`s important to carefully review the agreement and understand its limitations and requirements before entering into a contract. By doing so, both producers and actors can benefit from the opportunities and cost savings provided by the agreement.