Finding Sag work is harder and less abundant as non union. I feel like u should get a bunch of non union work under your belt before u join. U will also need three Sag vouchers before your eligible to join. U can pay some down depending on credit and set up a payment plan through them if they approve u. Rates are high so u are better off going down the road where there is a organization that will front u the money with cheaper interest rates. I can't remember the name of the place though. And if u are union u are golden and have it made. U get a bunch of percs and your pay is at least 18 for Aftra projects and 22.50 for Sag projects. Overtime is automatic after 8 hrs. Pay bumps are everywhere too. Read up on what u get pay bumps for to make sure u are always compensated for them. Things like getting wet, nudity, smoke, certain amount of hrs with out meal, danger, changing outfits more than twice, etc.
First off, you have to qualify for SAG, you can't simply join. That being said, the initiation fee is a one-time cost. Annual dues are calculated on your earnings, but the minimum is $202 with 50% due every 6 months. I don't understand what you mean by technical differences, but in order to get hired for most acting jobs- or even audition for them - you must be SAG or at least SAG-eligible with $3000 in the bank. If you are strictly concerned about background work and not being a professional actor, you will work more as non-union, but will be paid less for each day you work. There are more benefits being SAG background like being paid mileage, wardrobe bumps, smoke bumps (some productions pay these to non union, but not most). Depending on your look, wardrobe, availability and work ethic, you could conceivably work every day when you are non union. This is because productions only need to hire a fixed # of SAG background per day 15 for TV, 35 for film, rest are non u.
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