What are SAG and AFTRA?

Question

i thought they were agencies, until now.

what are they exactly?

guilds?

what is a guild?

Answer 1

SAG is the Screen Actors Guild and its the nation's largest union which represents working actors

and AFTRA stands for the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists and is also a labor union and represents artistis who work in television, radio, journalism and other forms of entertainment

Answer 2

^ has it. Guild is a fancy word for union. They are the ones who are hired for movie/theatre work.

Answer 3

SAG also protects you.  For example, if you get a role in a film that you don't get paid for (like a student film) and you're just doing it to get experience or get your face out there, you would have to get paid if the film got sold.  If you were not SAG, the creators of the film wouldn't have to pay you.  Being SAG is a good thing, but you have to get a certain amount of roles in commercials, films, etc. to be eligible for SAG.  Once you are eligible, you have to pay for it.  If you are SAG, it also shows you have had experience before and you have gotten roles in various things.

Answer 4

They are guilds.  SAG is the screen actors guild but I'm not sure what AFTRA is.  I think the way SAG works is that if you have a part in a movie longer than thirty minutes I think you join the SAG.  HOWEVER, once you join the SAG I thinkyou can only WORK for the SAG.  In other words, you can only do movies, etc. sponsored by them.  So in a way, it is a curse and a blessing.  Hope this helps!