Will I be required to accept only union work once I join SAG?

Yes. You must be ready and willing to follow SAG’s rules and regulations and to accept ONLY union employment once you become a member of SAG.

First and foremost of all the SAG rules is Global Rule One. It is the foundation of SAG's strength in protecting and representing its members. Global Rule One states:

"No SAG member shall work as an actor or make an agreement to work as an actor for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Guild which is in full force and effect. This provision applies worldwide."

Does this mean that once I become a SAG member I may not accept ANY non-union performing work to supplement my income?

Yes it does!

• SAG members cannot accept an acting role in any studio, independent, low-budget, pilot, experimental, non-profit, interactive, educational, student, or ANY production, unless that producer has signed a Contract or Letter of Agreement with Screen Actors Guild.
• In addition, by joining Screen Actors Guild, members also agree to abide by Rule 9, which states that members of one of the Four A performers' unions (SAG, AFTRA, Equity, AGVA, AGMA) will not accept non-union work in another union's jurisdiction.

What happens if I accept non-union work?

When a new member signs an application to join Screen Actors Guild, he/she is agreeing from that point forward to abide by all the rules and regulations of Screen Actors Guild. Our Constitution and By-Laws not only spells out members rights as a professional, union performer, but also specifies members responsibilities and obligations. Members who are found in violation of these rules are subject to serious fines and discipline by a panel of union peers.