New Media Signatory Instructions

Producer’s Guide to Working with SAG on a New Media Production

Download Producer's Guide Here

The SAG New Media Agreement covers original and derivative entertainment productions made for initial release on new media platforms, including the Internet and mobile devices. Becoming a SAG Producer grants you access to the world’s most talented professional actors---and we’ve streamlined the New Media signatory process.

Documents

The Signatory Package Zip Files that are posted on the Production Center at SAG.org are provided so that producers may review and consider them before beginning the signatory process. They are for demonstration purposes only---documents with signature lines are watermarked “SAMPLE” and cannot be executed.

For your reference, the Signatory Package Zip Files are divided into 2 folders: Signatory Documents and Production Documents. You will use the Signatory Documents to sign with the Guild, and the Production Documents to manage the production and post-production phases of your project.

Once you have decided to begin the signatory process, start by following the steps outlined in the Pre-Production section below.

Pre-Production

The following documents must be filled in and submitted to us in order to begin the signatory process. The 2 forms are available as non-sample PDF documents in the New Media Signatory Package Zip File in the Production Center at sag.org.  We recommend that you send them at least two weeks prior to your first day of shooting:

1. Preliminary Information Sheet New Media 4.16
2. Pre-Production Cast List 5.1
   
3. Copy of the Production Script, Treatment or Outline
4. Project Budget (top sheet summary will suffice)
5. Also complete and submit documentation that indicates who is employing     the actors.  Please provide ONLY ONE of the following, as applicable:
   • Individual - Provide a copy of your I.D., and your Fictitious Business Name Statement (if applicable).
   • Corporation - Provide your Articles of Incorporation.
   • Limited Liability Company (LLC) - Provide your Articles of Organization and LLC Operating Agreement.
   • Partnership or Joint Venture - Provide your Fictitious Business Name Statement (if applicable) and Partnership Agreement (if applicable). 

Once you have completed and compiled these five items, e-mail all documents to: newmedia@sag.org
                                                                                                
A SAG Business Representative will contact you within a few days to let you know if your production qualifies for the SAG New Media Agreement, and to explain the next steps to becoming a SAG Producer.
 
If your production qualifies, your SAG Business Representative will provide you with original documents of the Screen Actors Guild New Media Agreement Term 2011 1.6, or the New Media Agreement OPO 2011 1.43 (as applicable), and the Adherence Letter Pension And Health Plans 2.3 to sign and return. Additionally, if the production company is organized as one of the following business entities, you will be asked to complete and return the following applicable documents:

• Corporation: Corporate Information Authorization 3.18
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Limited Liability Company Authorization 3.10
• Partnership or Joint Venture: Joint Several Agreement New Media 3.23 and/or Limited Partnership Agreement Acknowledgement 3.15

Once all of the preceding documents have been received, your SAG Business Representative will contact you to let you know that you are clear to begin working with your SAG cast.

Important Notice Regarding Signatory Documents

Who may sign? Signatory documents must be executed by an authorized person or persons.

• Corporations – Any person who is authorized by the President or Secretary of the Corporation on the Corporate Resolution. The Corporate Resolution may be signed only by the President or Secretary of the Corporation.
• Limited Liability Corporations – The Manager or Managing Member as indicated by the Articles of Organization, the Operating Agreement and authorized by the Limited Liability Company Resolution.
• Limited Partnerships – The General Partner as identified in the Partnership Agreement.
• Sole Proprietorships – The Individual Owner.
• D/B/A (“Doing Business As”) – The Individual.

Production

During production, you will need to complete and submit SAG Performer Contracts (Principal Performer Contract New Media 6.38, Background Actor Contract New Media 6.39) and Production Time Report Exhibit G 6.14 to your SAG Business Representative.

If you are hiring a principal performer who is not yet a SAG member, you should submit a Taft-Hartley Report Principals New Media 6.4 to your Business Representative.

If you are shooting in a SAG Background Actor Zone, and if any of the first 10 background actors hired per day, on any day of production, are not SAG members, you should submit a Taft-Hartley Report Background New Media 6.5 for each non-SAG member. Include head shots and resumes with all Taft-Hartley Reports.

Post-Production

Payment must be made to the performer within 12 business days of the session. The Pension & Health payment is made directly to SAG-Producers Pension & Health in Burbank, CA. Specific information regarding this payment can be found on Page 2 of the Pension & Health Report Of Contributions New Media 6.11.

After production, complete and submit the Final Cast List Information Sheet 7.1 to your SAG Business Representative.  Also, submit a Pension & Health Report Of Contributions New Media 6.11 along with the applicable payment for each Performer and covered Background Actor to SAG-Producers P&H in Burbank, CA.

And that’s it!
 
Thank you for working with Screen Actors Guild.