Do you have to have a union card to act?

Question:I understand how the process of getting an agent and auditioning goes. But I read where someone said to be ready with $2,500 if a part comes to get your union card! What does this mean, you have to have this card to accept any role? What if you can't afford it, that doesn't mean sense! I'm moving to Cali to go to school and get into acting next year, but I"m not going to be able to afford that right off the bat? And you have to be able to take all sorts of roles to build yourself up, what would you do? Is this true do you really have to buy this card?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I understand how the process of getting an agent and auditioning goes. But I read where someone said to be ready with $2,500 if a part comes to get your union card! What does this mean, you have to have this card to accept any role? What if you can't afford it, that doesn't mean sense! I'm moving to Cali to go to school and get into acting next year, but I"m not going to be able to afford that right off the bat? And you have to be able to take all sorts of roles to build yourself up, what would you do? Is this true do you really have to buy this card?

No. This statement is thrown around way too much on these boards without giving any other info to back it up. It's true that for everything you see on tv and in the theatres, you need to be SAG, however when you're first starting out, these projects are not going to be available to you.

There are several ways to build up your resume doing NON-union work such as indie's, shorts and student films. Plus, it's not actually that easy to get your SAG card. It's not just a matter of calling up SAG and paying $2,500 and bam, you're in. If only...It's all explained on the SAG website how you can get in or if you do a seach on here, the question of how to get into SAG has come up before.

Not affording it is the least of your worries...you'll have plenty of time to save your money in the time it takes to get your vouchers or land a SAG role and even be eligible to join. It usually takes a couple years to get your card, so be patient.

Also, I might add, that some people make the mistake of becoming SAG too soon, and never work again (same with equity). Once you become SAG, you'll be competing with all the pro's, so you want to make sure you're competitive - that means having a strong resume with good experience and solid training.

So, if you're going to be in school next year, don't worry about it. Do small projects, do theatre and just learn about the business. It won't be any easier, but it should make more sense.

Best of luck!

p.s. AFTRA is for tv/radio, SAG is for film, Equity is for theater. They are all unions for professional performers.

You need a union card to get a part. And you have to have a part to get a union card.

My friend had a bit part in an insurance commercial and she had to get a SAG card (Screen Actors Guild) card if she wanted to get paid.

screen actors guild. they are the union their talking about.i would check their web site to see what the cost would be.any kind of film goes thru them, in theater their is all so a union.

NO!

Just ACT like you have a Union Card. If you're good, that'll take care of it.

Depending on where you live, is how you should decide whether or not to become SAG. For instance I live in VA, I wouldn't become SAG but you moving to Cali might want to consider it. You do not need to become SAG to get jobs but their are jobs that are only open union workers. Also their is something that they will do for people that arent SAG but are taking a union job... Cant remember what its called but they did it for me when I was an extra in a movie...They take non-union people and pay them, feed them and treat them as if they are SAG and then for the following 30 days (i believe)they can audition as SAG for union rolls!!!

How I helped.... good luck