ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXAny UK productions on SP worked with SAG actors before?
3 years, 1 month ago - Richard Anthony Dunford
We approached an American actors reps who said the project had to be SAG. We are a UK film. From looking on the screen actors guild website I couldn't find much information for productions outside of the United States. I've contacted them for help but just wondered if anyone on SP had experience of using SAG actors on a project outside the US?
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3 years, 1 month ago - Vasco de Sousa
You will want to ask if they have done so since the implementation of Global Rule One. Basically, SAG-AFTRA does not want its actors working on non-union projects anywhere in the globe.
Things are always changing, but understand that the US film unions are a lot more powerful than the British ones.
https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/global-rule-one
Response from 3 years, 1 month ago - Vasco de Sousa SHOW
3 years, 1 month ago - Richard Anthony Dunford
Cheers for that link Vasco. Very interesting. They're definitely more prevalent then the British ones.
I heard back from SAG-AFTRA and they didn't really answer my question about what UK productions do, they just sent me the generic micro budget form link which I filled out and obviously we didn't qualify as we are not shooting in the United States.
So I've asked them again for what International productions do. Will see what they come back with...
Response from 3 years, 1 month ago - Richard Anthony Dunford SHOW
3 years, 1 month ago - Gigi Burgdorf
Hi, Richard. I'll be interested to hear what they say.
As a SAG member and filmmaker based in the UK, my understanding (according to both SAG and Equity) is you're fine with an Equity contract if the actor is UK based and it's been negotiated with a UK agent. But if they're US based and you're working with US agents, then they can't do the project unless it's SAG.
But I see your dilemma since all the contracts on the SAG website say they're only for projects shot in the US. I had assumed the micro-budget contracts etc were available for projects here in the UK, but it looks like not. So please do share when you get a reply from them, as I'd love to know how they suggest you proceed!
Response from 3 years, 1 month ago - Gigi Burgdorf SHOW
3 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
I think this is a good answer - there are plenty of Americans in the UK who will bite your hand off for a role. They can be found through UK agents and under Equity (or even direct, if you're not an Equity film). If you want a recogniseable American "name" they probably have UK representation as well, it's common for actors to have reps in countries they work.
Response from 3 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
3 years, 1 month ago - Julia Campanelli
Hi, US producer and SAG member here. SAG claims they have jurisdiction world-wide. They don't. There is no penalty to a SAG actor working outside of SAG jurisdiction. American talent agents and lawyers cannot negotiate contracts outside of US unless their agency or firm maintains a foreign office. Talent managers cannot negotiate anything anywhere.
You can ask talent to join UK Equity, if you are planning union production, similar to US productions requiring UK talent to join SAG when they work in US SAG signatory productions.
You can reach out to talent directly.
Response from 3 years, 1 month ago - Julia Campanelli SHOW
3 years, 1 month ago - Richard Anthony Dunford
Thanks for all the responses and insights guys.
I had a chat with a friend of a friend based in LA who basically said a UK production would need to partner up with a US company to be able to become a SAG signatory.
We had to move on from the previous actor whose reps requested SAG but who we're in talks with now actually comes under FiCore (Financial Core) which means they have the status to work union or non-union if they choose.
All a bit of a learning curve.
Response from 3 years, 1 month ago - Richard Anthony Dunford SHOW