Meal Periods

If you have a specific question about meal periods or need further information, please contact a business representative at your SAG-AFTRA local office.

The performer must be given the first meal break within six hours from the time of first call. The provisions for meal periods are the same for all performers.

Please note that, for the purpose of synchronizing performers’ meal-time, the performer may be given a non-deductible meal of 15 minutes free from all activity within two hours of the performer’s call time. An announcement should be made and a notation indicating the start and finish time of the non-deductible meal must be on the production time report. The following is then allowable:

• The first meal break would then be due six hours from the end of the non-deductible meal.
• The second meal break must be called within six hours from the time of call back from the first meal break.
• The Producer can deduct actual time up to one hour spent at each meal period.
• A twelve minute grace period to set up provided the six hour period is not already extended due to camera being in the course of photography.

Meal penalty payments for violations of either meal period are:

• for the first half-hour, or fraction thereof: $25 per performer
• for the second half-hour: $35 per performer
• for each half-hour thereafter: $50 per performer