To SAG or Not To SAG

This is a post where I will really need some feedback. There was a HUGE casting a little over a week ago here in NYC. This was THE casting to be at because you were able to audition in front of a group of the biggest and best casting directors for the major prime time shows currently airing. I was ready. I had my head shot fresh off of the camera, my resume was up to date, a monologue that I have worked on and felt that i could blow anybody in front of me out of the water. But there was one thing that I did not have...a SAG card.

I went on line and began to research trying to find the fastest and best way to gain SAG status and join the elite crowd. What i discovered was a little more than discouraging. The price to pay for the card was over $1000.00. I didn't know what to do. All I could comprehend was that I have to wait for the next casting of this magnitude. I feel like this was the biggest missed opportunity that could have ever come my way. 

I have heard the good sides and the bad sides of being union. There are jobs on both sides. The union side obviously has more pay but from my understanding, a lot more guidelines. The non-union side from what I have researched have more considered opportunities for smaller films.

Beyond this, ' not really sure about the advantages vs the disadvantages. Can you guys help me out? I really want to make sure that i am doing what is best for my career.

 

-- Rashod

Comments

[Dianna Warner]

Let me add to your question. What other qualifications are there? Always heard there was a Catch 22 that you couldn't get your card unless you had a job, but you couldn't get the job unless you had the card. Is it just paying for it? Can I, Jane Local Actor Nobody get the card? Where I live ( west coast) small Theatres that used to use only union actors have gone non-union BUT I have friends who, through the union, have the much needed health insurance benefits. I think it's a personal decision. I'll be interested to learn what you decide.
-Dianna

[Ann Hu]

If you get a job where you can become SAG eligible, do it. I've been SAG since my second gig. It's worth it in the long run. Join now before the initiation fees get any higher.

[Brandi Ford]

I agree with Ann. I recently became SAG Eligible and plan to join once I have the dough (which by my calculations won't be until February of next year). I don't think it's something that an inexperienced actor should rush into BUT if you have some credits on your resume (theatre, student films, shorts, etc.) and you're ready to really contend with other professionals then at some point joining will be necessary.

[Lira]

Look into going FI-CORE! Going "financial core" means that you can take non-union work AND union work. If you don't feel like you're ready or lack experience, you can still do non-union films. You can always go full sag when you and your rep think you're ready.

I have a friend whose manager got her her three union background vouchers right off the bat; a big boon to any non-union actress trying to get into the biz, however, she has pretty much only 1 legit credit on her resume after being in LA for 7 years.... If she had gone fi-core she could have still done work on her own.

But wait- you didn't tell us if you were even eligible. You could wait YEARS before you are. Did you NEED to have a sag card to go to this casting?