Premium Only Content

🎬 Episode 30 - SAG Always, Unless...
🎬 Episode 30 - SAG Always, Unless...
Hi, I’m Denis O’Brien, and this is Make Your Film.
If you’re making a film or TV show for the U.S. market, you should use SAG actors—unless you have a specific reason not to.
Why SAG?
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is a unique union. At any given time, only about 5% of its members are working, and while their rules are strict, they represent the best actors in the business. To attract great talent, you need SAG status.
Understanding SAG Contracts & Rates
SAG offers multiple levels of production agreements, each with different rates based on your film’s budget:
🎭 Theatrical (Over $2M) – $1,088/day
🎭 Low Budget (Under $2M) – $703/day
🎭 Moderate Low Budget ($700K or less) – $379/day
🎭 Ultra Low Budget ($300K or less) – $216/day
🎭 New Media ($50K–$250K budget) – $125/day
For independent filmmakers, New Media is a game-changer. It allows indie productions to:
✅ Hire SAG actors at a low rate ($125/day minimum)
✅ Ensure actors get residuals if the project takes off
✅ Attract top talent even on a tight budget
The Exception? Ensemble Films.
If you're making a small-budget, ensemble-driven film with a tight cast of non-union actors—and they’re the exact people you want—you don’t have to go SAG just for the sake of it.
However, most productions are SAG signatory while also employing some non-union talent, which is standard in the industry. The larger the budget, the more unions get involved—that’s just how it works.
🎥 Now Is the Time to Make Your Film!
There has never been a better time to make a film—and more opportunities than ever to find distribution.
👉 Visit my website & sign up for the newsletter
👉 Join the Make Your Film Facebook group
👉 Buy the "Make Your Film" book
👉 And most importantly... MAKE YOUR FILM!
See you next time! 🎬
#MakeYourFilm #Filmmaking #IndieFilm #Filmmaker #DirectorLife #Screenwriting #FilmProduction #BehindTheScenes #CreativeProcess #MovieMaking #FilmIndustry #Storytelling #Podcast #Cinematography #ContentCreator
-
35:29
Code Blue Cam
3 days agoMan Robs Bank Minutes After Jail Release
1066 -
21:22
Nikko Ortiz
1 day agoI MUST BREAK EVERYTHING!!
41.6K5 -
LIVE
Lofi Girl
3 years agolofi hip hop radio 📚 - beats to relax/study to
177 watching -
56:38
DeProgramShow
2 days agoDeprogram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: "Jake Tapper on the Global Hunt for an Al Qaeda Killer”
27.4K6 -
16:30
GritsGG
2 days agoWarzone's New Zombie Royal Mode is AWESOME!
3.21K2 -
1:43:07
The Michelle Moore Show
3 days ago'The 12 Open Doors' Guest, Steve Jarvis: The Michelle Moore Show (Oct 17, 2025)
35.2K13 -
30:55
TruthStream with Joe and Scott
7 days agoTruthStream in Ireland, Rebels Across the Pond, Bono discussed, with Freedom Now Acoustic from a Pub
7.2K12 -
3:12:34
Badlands Media
1 day agoThe Narrative Ep. 43: Unity.
346K82 -
2:43:11
TheSaltyCracker
9 hours agoWe Kill You Rally ReeEEStream 10-19-25
93.9K251 -
7:54:17
Putther
14 hours ago $27.55 earned🔴LAZY SUNDAY STREAM!! (GTA + MORE)
77K12