Unions

Sep 2026

Above-the-Line Costs on a Micro-Budget Film: What to Pay For

How to budget above-the-line costs on a micro-budget film: rights, producers, director, and cast, with SAG-AFTRA agreement limits and two worked examples.

Sep 2026

DGA Low Budget Agreement: Budget Levels, Rates, and Terms

The DGA Low Budget Sideletter covers theatrical films up to $11 million. See each budget level's director and AD/UPM rates for 2026-27, prep minimums, and fringe terms.

Sep 2026

Exhibit G Walkthrough: Filling In the SAG-AFTRA Time Report

A column-by-column walkthrough of the SAG-AFTRA Exhibit G production time report, with a filled-in shoot day and the meal, rest, and signature checks to run before wrap.

Sep 2026

Exhibit G: Tracking Cast Time and SAG-AFTRA Compliance

How to keep a SAG-AFTRA Exhibit G: every column on the form, a filled-in shoot day with meal penalty and turnaround math, deadlines, and the errors that become claims.

Sep 2026

Film Budget Fringes: Payroll Taxes, P&H, and How to Budget Them

How to budget fringes on a film: payroll tax rates and wage caps, SAG-AFTRA and DGA percentages, IATSE hourly contributions, and worked examples for each.

Sep 2026

How to Become a SAG-AFTRA Signatory for Your Indie Film

Becoming a SAG-AFTRA signatory is free but takes weeks. What the application asks for, which documents to prepare, the security deposit, and a timeline that works.

Sep 2026

IATSE Low Budget Theatrical Agreement: Tiers and Crew Rates

The IATSE Low Budget Theatrical Agreement sets crew rates by budget tier, from Ultra Low up to $3.3M to Tier 3 at $16.5M. See 2026 thresholds, rates, and budget math.

Sep 2026

Meal Penalties Explained: Union Rates, Non-Union Rules, and Math

How meal penalties work for IATSE crew, SAG-AFTRA actors, and non-union crew in California, with current rates, grace and NDB rules, and a worked example for a full day.

Sep 2026

Navigating Film Unions: A Guide to the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, and IATSE

How the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and Teamsters shape a production: who each covers, the rules that cost money on set, and how claims and grievances get filed.

Sep 2026

SAG-AFTRA Low Budget Agreements: Which One Fits Your Film

SAG-AFTRA has six agreements for indie projects, from Micro-Budget ($20,000) to Low Budget Theatrical ($2M). Compare caps, day rates, background rules, and release terms.

Sep 2026

Taft-Hartley Explained: Hiring Non-Union Actors on a SAG Film

How Taft-Hartley works on a SAG-AFTRA production: preference of employment, valid reasons for a non-member hire, the 15-day report, damages, and the actor's 30 days.

Sep 2026

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA): What Every Producer Needs to Know

What producers need to know about SAG-AFTRA: signing on, picking an agreement, 2026 rates, consecutive employment, pay deadlines, and the paperwork due after wrap.

Sep 2026

Tier Projects: How a Film's Budget Size Sets Union Crew Rates

Union low budget agreements set crew and cast rates by budget tier. Here's how IATSE and SAG-AFTRA tiers work, what counts toward the cap, and what going over costs.

Sep 2026

Turnaround Rules Compared: SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, and Minors

Turnaround rules side by side for actors, IATSE crew, DGA assistant directors, and minors, with weekend rest, penalties for short turnaround, and worked call times.

Sep 2026

Working With Minors on Set: Permits, Hours, and Studio Teachers

Child actor rules come from state law, not federal. Compare California and New York hours by age, permits, studio teachers, trust accounts, and SAG-AFTRA's minor terms.