What does Moderate Low Budget Agreement mean?
Moderate Low Budget Agreement is the SAG-AFTRA contract for films with budgets between $300,000 and $700,000. It allows independent filmmakers with slightly larger budgets to hire SAG-AFTRA talent while maintaining manageable costs. The Moderate Low Budget Agreement offers higher pay rates than the Ultra Low Budget Agreement but still provides flexibility for small-budget productions, making it a popular choice for indie filmmakers.
Key Points of the Moderate Low Budget Agreement:
- Budget Cap: The total production budget must be between $300,000 and $700,000.
- Higher Pay Rates: While still flexible, pay rates are higher than under the Ultra Low Budget Agreement, ensuring fair compensation for actors.
- Festival and Distribution Friendly: This agreement is ideal for films intended for both festivals and small-scale distribution.
Negotiation Tips:
- Profit Participation: Actors can negotiate for a share of future profits if the film is expected to be distributed after its festival run.
- Deferred Payments: For projects on the lower end of the budget range, actors may negotiate deferred payment agreements.
- Back-End Bonuses: For films expected to achieve commercial success, actors may negotiate for performance-based bonuses after the film is distributed.
Example:A filmmaker with a budget of $500,000 used the Moderate Low Budget Agreement to hire SAG-AFTRA actors for a feature film intended for limited theatrical release.
Example: An actor negotiated a profit participation clause in their contract under the Moderate Low Budget Agreement, earning a percentage of profits from the film’s digital distribution.
Did You Know?
The Moderate Low Budget Agreement provides higher pay rates for indie films with budgets between $300,000 and $700,000, balancing cost and compensation!
Learn More:
For more detailed information, visit the official SAG-AFTRA Moderate Low Budget Agreement page.
