UNION MUSIC VIDEOS
What Is A Music Video?
Under the agreement, a music video is defined as an audiovisual product that contains as its underlying audio track, a sound recording produced under the AFTRA Sound Recordings Code and a visual element of the type of genre traditionally produced for exhibition on cable television or made available for digital distribution via Internet streaming and/or download.
Who’s Covered?
All performers engaged in a music video are covered by the agreement, including actors, announcers, dancers, models, up to ten (10) background, narrators, singers, skaters, performance capture work, puppeteers, voice-over performers, swimmers and stunt performers.
Choreographers and assistant choreographers are covered for purposes of health and retirement contributions only.
This agreement does not include instrumental musicians.
Union Security/Membership
All performers employed under the agreement must be members of SAG-AFTRA in good standing.
A 30-day “Taft-Hartley” period allows nonmembers to be employed under the agreement.
Preference of Employment
If a performer is asked to sign any release forms, they must be provided advance notice (upon notification of audition, or engagement if no audition), and the release shall not modify or be inconsistent with anything contained in the SAG-AFTRA Music Video Agreement. If a performer has not been previously notified by their agent, contact them immediately before signing. Do not sign a release form before speaking with your agent.
Auditions
Companies need to notify performers of specific audition times
The maximum time for the initial audition is four (4) hours, starting at individual’s call time
Suitable shelter must be provided to protect from rain, hot sun, cold, etc...
If the audition is captured on video and used in the music video, the performer must be paid scale payment
Scope
If a record company is a signatory to the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings (Sound Recordings Code), then all music videos produced by or on behalf of the label within the United States are covered by this agreement.
If a company is not a signatory to the Sound Recordings Code, the company must be a signatory to the SAG-AFTRA Music Video Agreement to engage SAG-AFTRA members on a music video. Click here for signatory sheet.
Working Conditions
The following must be provided:
An adequate supply of bottled or other drinking water
An adequate number of suitable chairs
The opportunity for men and women to change separately
Space to store personal belongings
Shelter to protect against weather
Meal Periods
Meal periods are not counted as work time
Breaks must be no less than 30 minutes in length
Meals provided must be the same type of meal as that received by other members of the cast and crew
The first meal period must occur within six hours of start, and subsequent meal periods within six hours of the preceding meal period
Fees of $10 for first half hour and $7.50 for each additional half hour will be levied for meal period violations
Production Budget
The budget includes all costs of making the music video
The company must notify the performer and/or agent prior to production of the expected budget
SAG-AFTRA has right to audit the reported production budget to verify compliance and accuracy
Rates/Compensation
Rehearsals
For over $200k budget
$293.55 up to eight (8) hour rehearsal day minimum
Travel
$150 up to four (4) hours
$285 beyond four (4) hours
Lodging provided when performer unable to return home after travel or work day
Per Diem
$70 per travel and/or rehearsal day
$45 per shoot day
SAG/AFTRA Health and Retirement Contributions
H&R contribution rate shall be the same as provided for under the SAG/AFTRA Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings ("Sound Recordings Code")
The revised CBA shall reflect the merger of the SAG and AFTRA Health plans and split H&R Contributions between the AFTRA Retirement Plan and SAG/AFTRA Health Plan
A contribution of twelve and three quarters (12.75) percent of each performer’s gross compensation is payable
Wardrobe
Performers are to be paid a single maintenance fee of $40.00 if they are asked to bring any specific personal items as wardrobe
Extraordinary Risk Circumstances
In agreement, extraordinary risk circumstances are considered ones that involve complex aerial acrobatics, wire-flying, elevated platforms, staircases, support of more than one other person, sight or breathing impairment (such as using masks, fog, smoke or fire) or “continuous acrobatic movements that incorporate weight-bearing pressures on the hands and arms”
Stunt Coordinator is required when performers engage in aerial acrobatics
When extraordinary risk circumstances are present, performers will be paid the following:
Budget
100k and below $50 extraordinary risk fee
Above 100k $100 extraordinary risk fee
If significant “knee work” or work on concrete surfaces is required, dancers or their agents must be notified so that they may negotiate additional payment prior to engagement.
Dancers may wear knee pads for knee work in rehearsals, and during a shoot if it does not interfere with the look or aesthetic of the project.
Turnaround Time
Performers are guaranteed a minimum 12-hour turnaround time
A $50 per hour fee will be due to each performer for each hour of violation
Time Of Payment
Payment must be made within 30 calendar days of engagement
There will be an additional payment of $4 per day for each day payment is late, without limitation on the number of days
Production Report
The company is responsible for providing a completed production report to SAG-AFTRA containing full and specific production and performer information
Admission To Premises
SAG-AFTRA representatives will have access to auditions, rehearsals and production of all music videos
Use of Material
See above chart
Performers additionally receive applicable SAG-AFTRA Commercial rates if any portion of the music video is licensed for use in a broadcast or cable television commercial
Background Actors
Budget of above 50k will cover the first ten (10) background actors
Background actors coverage is limited to safety provisions and H&R
All other provisions are negotiable
*Streaming
Streaming includes all the Labels total music video revenue X 0.25%. That 0.25% goes into a union residual pool and is divvied according to the success of the music video. The music videos residuals will then be equally divided amongst its' principal performers.
0 to 50k
FREE BARGAINING
SAFETY PROVISIONS
STREAMING*
50k+ to 100k
FREE BARGAINING
$175 USAGE FEE (APPLICABLE
ONLY WHEN USED)
STREAMING*
H&R FOR ALL
SAFETY PROVISIONS
100k+ to 150k
$500 UP TO 12H SHOOT DAY MINIMUM
$175 MANDITORY USAGE FEE FOR DANCERS ONLY
STREAMING*
H&R FOR ALL
SAFETY PROVISIONS
150k+ to 200k
$520 UP TO 12H SHOOT DAY MINIMUM
$175 MANDITORY USAGE FEE FOR ALL DANCERS & PRINCIPALS
STREAMING*
H&R FOR ALL
SAFETY PROVISIONS
200k+
SHOOT DAY MINIMUM
$520 UP TO 10H
$642 UP TO 12H
$500 MANDITORY USAGE FEE FOR ALL DANCERS AND PRINCIPALS
(2% INCREASE IN FEES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2018)
STREAMING*
H&R FOR ALL
SAFETY PROVISIONS