How do you get a SAG card, if you need film work to get SAG card, but can't get film work without a SAG card?

Question

How do you get a SAG card, if you need film work to get SAG card, but can't get film work without a SAG card?

Answer 1

Ah, the conundrum. The above poster mostly has it right, thought there is a correction:

Being in a SAG film as an extra does not, by itself, make you eligible. It's the ol' Taft Hartley system. SAG films are required to have a certain number of SAG extras, which should be filled by SAG actors. Sometimes this doesn't happen and a non-union person is used to fill that union spot. Then at the end of the day, when you're given your stubs, you received one that's checked "union" instead of "non-union". Get 3 of these and you become "SAG elegible" and can join.

Another way to get on-set vouchers is to act as a stand in for a principal actor.

Another way is through the sister unions. If you're a member of Equity, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA and have been in good standing for one year and have performed in a principal role(and been paid)  under that union's jurisdiction, then you can join SAG.

** By the way, the initiation fee is a one time payment of $2211. The dues structure is laid out on the SAG website - www.sag.org

Answer 2

I see what your saying. i was confused about this when I first started off also. You can be non- union and still work in a SAG film, commercial, or television show. But you CANNOT be SAG and do Non-union stuff. I asked my agent and acting coach. Three are three ways to be able to apply for a SAG card.

1) You can be an extra in a SAG film. Then you bring your pay stubs to a SAG agency or a contract. Which ever you feel like. ( You should bring both just in case)

2) Or you can be in a SAG film and have 5 or more lines. Again you can bring them pay stubs or a contract.

3) This is the most obvious. You get a lead in a SAG film, commercial, or television show. Then bring your contract to a SAG agency.

After this you have to pay a one time entrance fee. It is a little over 1000 dollars. Then you pay every 6 months. It is around 60 dollars. But the more you get paid the more you have to pay every 6 months. Will Smith pays WAY more than than 60 dollars every 6 months.