Commercials

The Commercials Contracts cover advertising programs generally under three minutes in length and intended for use on television, foreign, theatrical, radio and new media.

Looking for the Regional Commercials Codes? Click here.

Step 1

Prior to auditions, prior to casting, prior to production, to use a SAG-AFTRA member in a commercial, there must be a SAG-AFTRA signatory attached to the project. The signatory could be an advertising agency or an advertiser. If a signatory is not already attached and you would like your company to become a signatory, complete a Preliminary Information Form.

Step 2

A SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will contact you and provide you with a packet of forms. Complete and return the following documents from your packet:

1. Signatory Information Sheet
2. Corporate Resolution/Limited Liability Corporation/Limited Partnership Authorization
3. Credit Check

Step 3

Email the completed form to the Commercials Department or fax to (212) 944-6774.

A SAG-AFTRA Business Representative will contact you within two business days to discuss your interest in becoming a signatory.

Step 4

Once your SAG-AFTRA Business Representative has reviewed your documents and you have signed the Letter of Adherence, you may begin the audition and hiring process. At auditions, an Exhibit E Sign-In Form must be made available and returned to the Commercials Department within 15 business days of the audition date.

Step 5

Upon hiring your cast, you must clear your cast with SAG-AFTRA to verify that the performers you have hired are in good standing. This is referred to as the Cast Clearance (or Station 12) process.

Step 6

On the actual shoot day(s), an on or off-camera principal performer is given an Exhibit A-1 Employment Contract and an extra is given an Exhibit A-2 Employment Contract. This contract contains information on hours of work, hours for fitting, pay rate, overtime, use type (seasonal, non-air demo, cable-only, etc.), and any special provisions that apply.

Working With Non-SAG-AFTRA Members

If any of the cast are not yet SAG-AFTRA members, you should submit the applicable Taft-Hartley Report, along with a head shot and resume, to the Commercials Department within 15 days after their work date.

Payment must be made to the performer within 15 business days of the session. The Pension & Health payment is made directly to the SAG -Producers Pension Plan in Burbank, CA. Specific information regarding this payment can be found on the Pension & Health Reporting Form.

At any point, please feel free to contact the Commercials Department with questions. We are here to assist you in ensuring that your experience with producing under the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract is a smooth and easy process.

Thank you for working with SAG-AFTRA.