What does Documentary Agreement mean?
Documentary Agreement is the SAG-AFTRA contract that covers narrators, voice actors, and performers involved in documentary films and series. This agreement ensures that actors providing narration or appearing on-screen in documentaries are compensated fairly and receive union protections. It applies to both feature-length documentaries and documentary series made for TV or streaming platforms.
Key Points of the Documentary Agreement:
- Fair Pay for Narrators: Voice actors and narrators in documentaries are paid at union rates, ensuring fair compensation.
- Health and Pension Benefits: Actors and narrators in documentary projects receive health and pension benefits, similar to other film or TV contracts.
- Residuals for Reruns and Streaming: Performers receive residuals when documentaries are aired on TV or streamed on platforms like Netflix and Hulu.
Negotiation Tips:
- Additional Compensation for High-Profile Projects: For documentaries expected to gain widespread attention, actors may negotiate for higher pay or back-end bonuses.
- Profit Participation: Actors in commercially successful documentaries may negotiate for a share of the profits or additional residuals for streaming success.
- Creative Control: For high-profile documentary projects, narrators may negotiate for more creative input or approval of the script or final cut.
Example:A narrator for a feature-length documentary received residuals each time the film was aired on cable TV and streamed on a major platform.
Example: An actor appearing in a documentary series negotiated for additional pay due to the physical demands of filming in remote locations.
Did You Know?
Narrators and performers in documentaries can receive residuals for reruns and streaming, ensuring long-term compensation!
Learn More:
For more detailed information, visit the official SAG-AFTRA Documentary Agreement page.
