BACKGROUND ACTORS

Ask yourself: Why are ALL background actors not equally protected under contracts created solely by the union?

ISSUE:
Not all Background Actors are protected under SAG-AFTRA contracts including some contracts created solely by the union. In addition, they have no guaranteed seat on the National Board.

WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE?

  1. Under the current TV/Theatrical contract, every other performer has the benefits and protections of a union contract regardless of where they work, except Background Actors. They are only protected in seven U.S. zones: Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. Outside of these zones, non-union performers are taking jobs that should go to union members.

    • In Georgia, 714 projects were shot in 2019-20 with no union protection for background.

    • In New Mexico, the home of Netflix’s latest studio, there were 71 union projects last year with no union background.

    • Some contracts, like the Telemundo deal, specifically exclude background actors.

  2. When production companies are allowed to use non-union performers instead of SAG- AFTRA members, the whole union suffers, not just Background Actors. Every dollar earned by a non-union worker not only deprives a union member of a living wage, but also short-changes our pension and health funds as well as losing dues contributions. In non-covered zones, like Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami, Seattle and New Mexico, principal performers who need that one last job to qualify for benefits do not have the opportunity to work a union background acting job to reach their thresholds.

  3. Certain contracts that our union created INDEPENDENTLY (promulgated contracts) do not cover background. No other member groups, such as stunts, are excluded from these contracts.

  4. Background Actors are a fundamental constituency group within SAG-AFTRA contributing to the financial foundation of our union. However, unlike Dancers, Actors, Singers/Recording Artists, and Broadcasters, they do not have a guaranteed voice in the National Board room. Without this, Background Actors have struggled to have their basic needs met. They are on an unequal footing with the rest of the membership and cannot even weigh in on matters that directly affect their lives and livelihoods.

WHAT IS OUR SOLUTION?
Continue MembershipFirst-Supported Initiatives Such As:

  • Pressed for adding coverage of Background Actors for the first time under the Music Videos contract in 2017.

  • Spearheaded the re-establishment of a separate Background Actor Department.

  • Pushed to update and expand the Background Digest.

  • Facilitated the distribution of smaller contract rate sheets (which were previously unavailable) to Background Actors.

FIGHT FOR MORE INCLUSION FOR BACKGROUND ACTORS:
MembershipFirst believes it is time for all members, whether they speak on camera or not, to have the same benefits, protections, and representation with a guaranteed board seat on the National Board. We will continue to advocate strongly in the boardrooms for Background Actor issues and insist that Background Actors be represented on negotiating committees including the TV/Theatrical, Music Video, Commercial, and Special Contract Negotiations.