Hello all! I was wondering if I should have my SAG actors sign a separate talent release form agreement of my own or is this covered in the contract that SAG provides? This is in regards to a ULB theatrical film shoot. Thanks in advance.
Producing : Talent release/SAG contract by Danny Villanueva Jr.
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Honestly, if you are a SAG Aftra signatory, you shouldn't be asking this. You need to read your agreements and answer that for yourself. Also, this is a legal question, and if you want a reliable answer you should hire a lawyer to discuss your specific details. Literally no situation is generic and literally any facts can affect the legal answer.
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Currently awaiting signatory application to clear and receive the agreements. I don’t want to waste any time and would like to get all my deal memos and release forms in place as soon as possible. It’s a micro-budget film so I can’t afford to spend that much money on an attorney to ask such a simple question that I can wait a week to get an answer to. Figured I could find a fellow filmmaker to share this info.
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Danny Villanueva Jr. I hear you, but think about that one. You are asking someone to tell you if the terms in agreements you haven't even created yet will be good in addition to the terms in all the SAG Aftra documents and agreements which you haven't yet entered into but will. Will such agreements protect you or screw up your SAG status or are SAG Aftra actors allowed to sign them or.... a universe of issues. And only an entertainment attorney who has read your own proposed agreements and the specific SAG-Aftra agreements you will enter into and who knows your intended production procedures and situation can possibly give you a reasoned opinion on that. Film producing is not for the faint of heart. Sorry to say. You either have to go with your own advice or pay for proper legal advice. No one here can give you an answer that isn't, well... dumb.
I should probably clarify by talent release I’m referring to the permission to use their voice, image, and likeness in the project. My question is if there is a section in the SAG agreement that covers that or would we typically have a separate release form? Of course I’m not expecting a standard SAG agreement to have extra terms that are unique to my project.
See in the SAG UPA where it says you’ll need to submit a “Performer Employment Contract” for each guild actor used? That’s the agreement between the production company and the talent where all the deal points including publicity, credit, compensation, etc. go. The SAG agreement sets out requirements for some of those points. But it’s a contract between the signatory production company and SAG, not between the production company and talent.
Hi Danny Villanueva Jr. it's great to be connected. I'm the director of education at Stage 32 and you can always reach out to me directly at edu@stage32.com if you need any guidance in your Stage 32 education journey. I also recommend following our CEO on Instagram as he posts great advice on navigating the industry - you can do that on Instagram @rbwalksintoabar.
We have an upcoming class that discusses this very topic. If you register, you will have access to your educator for the duration of the class to ask questions and get guidance - I think this will be very helpful to you and your project: https://www.stage32.com/classes/How-to-Lock-Your-Dream-Cast-for-Your-Pro...