Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/23723
so when employers want to know more, you’ll be able to provide some answers right on cue.” Here are more ways you can improve the amount of union work available: #4 Refer them for more information Producers typically find SAG contracts simple and cost effective. Let everyone know how easy it is to work with SAG, and refer interested parties to SAG.org, SAGIndie.org or your local Branch or Division office. DIVERSITY CASTING INCENTIVES #7 Start’em young Every SAG Branch does comprehensive outreach to colleges and arts high schools in their area. Ask your local staff about how you can help; it’s a great way to meet the filmmakers of tomorrow. #8 Build relationships with other unions Participate in local labor events. Other unions oſten give the Guild information about productions, oſten ones they’re partners in. Making a positive connection with these union members can help us keep an eye out for new opportunities. #5 Build bridges between producers You or your local staff can put the producer in touch with a SAG-signatory producer who’s proud to have gone union. Tis producer-to-producer dialogue builds confidence and alleviates fears the non-union producer might have. #6 Get producers to participate Every SAG Branch has workshops, seminars and social events that will help both you and producers. At these events, producers will gain knowledge and tools to forward their careers. Tey’ll also have a positive experience with the union. So invite them! We’re always happy to answer their questions. #9 Build relationships within the industry Te more contacts you have, the easier it is to get in touch with producers who might have misinformation about the union, which you can help correct. #10 Don’t forget to mention the added benefits Aside from the top-quality talent available, there are many other benefits that make SAG appealing to producers. Te Guild can help them reach a wider audience, facilitate the casting of their productions and even increase their industry connections. SAG.org What do Guns, Girls & Gambling, filmed in Utah, Coming Up Roses, filmed in Colorado, and Rites of Spring, filmed in Mississippi, have in common? They all took advantage of the Diversity in Casting Incentive, which is available to producers of feature films that shoot under either the Low Budget or the Modified Low Agreements. That means that in return for hiring a specified percentage of performers from certain protected groups under contract, a production is permitted to expand its budget beyond what is limited by the regular Low Budget Agreement by 50 percent. This same incentive is also available under the Modified Low Budget Agreement. Here is what the Diversity in Casting Incentive looks like. The total production cost maximum may be increased to the following amounts: Modified Low Budget Agreement—from $625,000 to $937,500; Low Budget Agreement— from $2.5 million to $3.75 million, if the producer has demonstrated diversity in casting by meeting the following criteria: A) A minimum of 50 percent of the total speaking roles and 50 percent of the total days of employment are cast with performers who are members of the following four (4) protected groups: 1. WOMEN 2. SENIOR PERFORMERS (60 OR OLDER) 3. PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES, OR 4. PEOPLE OF COLOR (BLACK/AFRICAN-AMERICAN, ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER AND SOUTH ASIAN, LATINO/HISPANIC, ARAB/MIDDLE EASTERN AND NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN) B) A minimum of 20 percent of the total days of employment is cast with performers who are People of Color. For more information about SAG’s Diversity in Casting Incentive and the Diversity, Special Skills and Talent Bank, e-mail diversity@sag.org or call Yuisa Gimeno (323) 549-6644. Fall/Winter 2010 - SCREEN ACTOR 59