What does Short Project Agreement mean?
Short Project Agreement is the SAG-AFTRA contract designed for short films, webisodes, and digital content that are 40 minutes or less. This agreement allows for flexibility in hiring SAG-AFTRA talent on lower-budget projects without the full obligations of larger contracts. It is ideal for filmmakers and content creators looking to make short films for festivals, online platforms, or educational use. The agreement provides protections for actors while keeping costs manageable for small productions.
Key Points of the Short Project Agreement:
- Length Limit: The project must be 40 minutes or less in length.
- Flexible Pay Rates: The agreement offers more flexible rates for short projects with low budgets.
- Festival Eligibility: This agreement is ideal for projects intended for film festivals, allowing indie filmmakers to work with union talent.
Negotiation Tips:
- Deferred Payment: For low-budget festival projects, actors can negotiate deferred payments with the potential for bonuses if the film performs well.
- Profit Sharing: Actors might negotiate for a small percentage of profits if the short film is sold to a distributor or makes money through streaming platforms.
- Festival Bonuses: If the project is expected to gain recognition in festivals, actors may be able to negotiate for additional compensation based on awards or exposure.
Example:A filmmaker used the Short Project Agreement to produce a 15-minute short film for a film festival, hiring SAG-AFTRA actors while staying within their budget.
Example: A web series creator used the Short Project Agreement to produce a 5-episode series, each episode under 10 minutes, ensuring professional standards for the cast and crew.
Did You Know?
The Short Project Agreement is popular for festival-bound short films and web series, offering flexibility and reduced costs for small-scale productions!
Learn More:
For more detailed information, visit the official SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement page.
