First, don't eat the green ones...

So SAG sucks. For me.

Not that they suck for the actor that acquires the SAG stamp of approval (though I have yet to hear an actor truly praise the worthiness of their union), but they suck for indie filmmakers trying to get a story out into the big wide world with people that can actually act. Not that being SAG means you can act, or that not being SAG means that you aren't a professional talented actor - it just means the collective has their hooks conveniently cinched in to your delicate flesh just enough to make you wince whenever you hear the word "Deferment" - a curse word to most of us to be sure, but an actual roadblock to the SAG actor! Ha! WHODATHUNKIT?

Background: Making a flick, a feature flick. Doing it right, so doing it legal.
So, --
LLC: "check!" ...
Deal Memos and Contracts? "check!" ...
Insurance Certificate? "check!" ...
Permits from the City Of New York and Parks Department? "double check!" ...
SAG Ultra Low Budget Agreement? " ummm, uhhh... that sure is a lot of paperwork... wait, do I absolutely have to pay the actors up front? And why is the bond the same as paying them out right? Even though its a no budget movie about amnesia and bad marriage and midgets and ninjas?"
SAG - "yup. You can make the check out to..."
This is where the blood leading to my brain begins to pulse uncontrollably, conspiracy theories about draconian union bureaucracy monopolizing a position of power over an entire industry rage betwixt my mightily confused lobes. Go figure why they think my little film is worthy of strong arm tactics. Makes me wonder if actors actually have picket lines and yell scab when SAG shuts everything down. That's worth a doc all by itself.

So we start filming on Thursday - I'll post some stills - filming has been delayed for a number of reasons - not least of which is money (duh), gear (had to wait for the money to get the 35mm adapter thingee and lenses - worth the wait though - NICE!) and a Yeti sized douche bag that doesn't know his ass from the toys that are stuffed in it. Oh and of course SAG has made this legitimization process interesting.

Example? I submit the paperwork for the preliminary package. Wait two weeks. Nothing, I call. Nothing. Finally the package arrives - and legitimately, its a large package full of paperwork and books - but the next thing that happens? Yup. SAG emails me two days later to inform me that I haven't filled out the information package yet and that they will assume I am not using SAG actors in my film. Arrrgh! So I call, get the info that there is no longer a SAG experimental contract (suck-o!) and that my bond for the film will be $1024 for 8 work days of actor work. Paid in full. Before production. ??????

Lesson learned? Wait to deal with SAG actors until you can afford them, and can afford the delays their union puts on production. BLOAT BLOAT BLOAT. SAG Actors are usually great people, but their union is a pain in the ass ... and don't try and do anything with them that might require them next week. That will not happen.