It may take several years for a beginner to earn a living as a performer. You must have a substantial cushion of savings to fund your quest and/or secure consistent alternate work to support you during the early stages of your career.

Even the most talented performers may do everything right and still not end up with acting jobs. Success in this business is an unpredictable combination of talent, training, residence, "look", energy, attitude, and the completely uncontrollable factor — luck!

You must not take rejection personally! Even a working professional may not earn their income performing in just one medium.

Most professional performers generally need several potential income streams to earn enough money to sustain performing as a full-time career. For example, one year they might have SAG earnings of $7,000, AFTRA earnings of $12,000, Equity earnings of $6,000 and AGMA/AGVA earnings of $8,000. The following year they might have SAG earnings of $25,000 (because they appeared in a national commercial), AFTRA earnings of $9,000, Equity earnings of $5,000 and no AGMA/AGVA earnings at all.

The Actors' Fund is an excellent resource for actors looking to supplement their income. They offer the Actors Work program and many other helpful seminars and services.

Yes. You must be ready and willing to follow SAG-AFTRA’s rules and regulations and to accept ONLY union employment once you become a member of SAG-AFTRA.

First and foremost of all the SAG-AFTRA rules is Global Rule One. It is the foundation of SAG-AFTRA's strength in protecting and representing its members. Global Rule One states:

"No SAG member shall work as an actor or make an agreement to work as an actor for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Guild which is in full force and effect. This provision applies worldwide."

Does this mean that once I become a SAG-AFTRA member I may not accept ANY non-union performing work to supplement my income?

Yes it does!

• SAG-AFTRA members cannot accept an acting role in any studio, independent, low-budget, pilot, experimental, non-profit, interactive, educational, student, or ANY production, unless that producer has signed a Contract or Letter of Agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
• In addition, by joining SAG-AFTRA, members also agree to abide by Rule 9, which states that members of one of the Four A performers' unions (SAG, AFTRA, Equity, AGVA, AGMA) will not accept non-union work in another union's jurisdiction.

What happens if I accept non-union work?

When a new member signs an application to join Screen Actors Guild, he/she is agreeing from that point forward to abide by all the rules and regulations of SAG-AFTRA. Our Constitution and By-Laws not only spells out members rights as a professional, union performer, but also specifies members responsibilities and obligations. Members who are found in violation of these rules are subject to serious fines and discipline by a panel of union peers.

Most people who attempt to pursue a performing career full-time are usually not only members of SAG, but also members of other unions, depending on the medium and venue.

• Film and television performers are represented by Screen Actors Guild and/or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
• Theatre performers, as well as stage managers, are represented by Actors Equity Association (AEA)
• Live music and variety performers are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA).

These unions, under the umbrella of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America (the Four A's), are affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

Whether you are a SAG-AFTRA member or not, we can:

• Acquaint you with some union and performing career basics
• Point you toward other sources of information

All principal and background performers, including our members, must take their own steps to develop their professional skills and to secure representation, auditions and roles. Although SAG-AFTRA offers excellent resources for actors, such as the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory, it is vital to understand the following:

• Unlike some other labor unions, we do not function as a hiring hall and do not directly provide employment for our members.
• We do not make connections or recommendations to acting schools, teachers, agents, managers or casting directors. However, we do maintain a franchised agent list: Find an Agent
• We are unable to help non-members with housing, employment, or financial assistance
• We are unable to help non-members with health and safety issues, except on SAG-AFTRA-covered projects
• If you become a SAG-AFTRA member, you can attend members-only workshops and seminars to learn more about the business and the art of acting from your peers and industry professionals. Visit your Local page for event listings in your area.

View a list of Member Benefits.

The main goal of SAG-AFTRA is to provide competitive wages and safe, excellent working conditions for our members. Through a variety of programs and activities and industry outreach, we do everything possible to create an environment in which our members will be hired and to look after their welfare once they are hired.