To find the labor laws in your state
CLICK HERE.
Union Rules:
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There are several unions which govern the employment of child actors. The following is summary information for each of the major unions. Be sure to contact them directly for additional info.
Feature Films & SAG Television – The rules for employing minors in a SAG-AFTRA theatrical motion picture or television production can be found in Section 50 (A-N) of the 2005 Codified Basic Agreement. Click here for a copy
AFTRA Television – The rules for employing minors in a SAG-AFTRA television production can be found in Paragraph 100 of the 2007-2010 AFTRA Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting. Click here for a copy
SAG Commercials – The rules for employing minors in SAG-AFTRA commercials can be found in Section AA of the 2003 Commercial Contract. Click here for a copy
How do I join the Union?
You must first become ‘eligible’ under one of the following conditions:
Book 1 principal (speaking) role in a SAG-AFTRA production OR
Book 3 background (extra) roles in a SAG-AFTRA production OR
Hold 1 year membership in an affiliated performer Union:
AEA – AGVA – AGMA – ACTRA
You must have worked and been paid for
at least one principal (speaking) role.Must Join If you become eligible to join SAG-AFTRA (a.k.a. SAG Eligible) through principal or background work, you become what is called a “must join” meaning you must join the union if you want to work a SAG-AFTRA job again in the future.
Proof of Eligibility If you have become eligible to join under one of the conditions listed above, you should contact your nearest SAG-AFTRA locals office so they can advise you of your eligibility and the amount of your initiation fees. If your file is not on record or incomplete, you should be prepared to submit your original paycheck stubs. Copies are not acceptable as proof of employment.
Dues & Initiation Fees Member dues are based on a sliding scale with the amount due determined by earnings. Each member pays an annual base of $198.00, plus 1.575% of all earnings between $1.00 and $500,000. Dues are calculated annually and paid in two installments, due May 1st and November 1st.
New member initiation fees vary from state to state, and can be costly, so you might want to have the money put aside, just in case. If you are resident of Los Angeles, be prepared to pay $3,000 in initiation fees, plus $99 for the first semi-annual basic dues ($3,099.00 total). Remember, if you are a “must join” you must pay those dues before you will be allowed to work on a future SAG project.
If you have a job pending but simply do not have the cash on hand to join the union when it’s needed, a SAG-AFTRA Initiation Fee Loan is available from the AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union. Members of Children In Film are automatically eligible to join this credit union.
For More Information: SAG Main Switchboard – 323.954.1600
SAG Child Actor Hotline – 323.549.6030
Click here for SAG Young Performers Information
www.sagaftra.org -
Founded in 1913, “Equity” or “AEA,” as it is commonly known is a labor union that represents more than 49,000 actors and stage managers, directors and coreographers in the United States. AEA has jurisdiction over live stage (theatre) and “live” industrial productions.
You are eligible to join AEA by virtue of employment under an Equity contract. Your application for membership is only valid during the term of your employment contract. You are also eligible to join if you have been a member of a sister union for at least one year and have worked as a performer under the union as a principal or background actor.
As of August, 2013, member Initiation fees were at $1,100. Ongoing member dues of $118 per year plus 2.25% of gross earnings are also collected.
AEA has more than 30 national and regional contracts and the rules for employing minors in an AEA production vary depending on the contract which you are working under. Generally speaking, AEA refers back to the prevailing law in any State where a minor might be employed.
For a list of AEA rule books click here
For More Information:
National Headquarters
TEL: 212-869-8530
FAX: 212-719-9815
www.actorsequity.org -
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the union of more than 22,000 professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada including TV, film, radio and digital media.
ACTRA has 10 Canadian national collective agreements and regional, specialized agreements covering film, TV, radio, digital media and videogame productions. Click here to learn more.
Actra has 9 autonomous branches accross Canada. Click here to find the branch closest to you.
ACTRA National
625 Church Street, 3rd floor,
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2G1
800-387-3516
416-489-1311
Work Permits:
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If you are a production company seeking to employ a child actor, you can research the child actor labor laws for all 50 states right here on our site. (feature coming soon)
Find out whether or not you need a work permit or if a Studio Teacher is required by law. You can also find out how many hours each child can work per day.
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Learning the child actor labor laws in your state is one of the first steps towards becoming a successful child actor parent. You’ll want to learn about entertainment work permits and obtain one if necessary, find out if a trust account is required in your state, or if your talent agency is required to hold a license. Minor Performer Alliance can answer all of these questions.
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Minor Performer Alliance makes it a priority to be on top of changes in state law, however laws vary from place to place and evolve over time. Even if a statement made about the law is accurate, it may only be accurate in certain jurisdictions and not all jurisdictions; as well, the law may have changed, been modified or overturned subsequently since the entry was made on the website. We strongly encourage you to follow the links provided for each individual state, study the law and then contact the state for further information.
The legal and financial information provided on Minor Performer Alliance is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a licensed professional.
Coogan Blocked Trust Accounts
Jackie Coogan - “Trouble” 1922
History:
In 1921 seven-year-old Jackie Coogan (1914-1984) became the world’s first child superstar and for he decades held the title of the youngest millionaire in history. At age 21, Jackie believed his fortune was well intact but soon learned that his mother and step-father had spent most of his earnings. Jackie had to sue them for what was left.
This court battle brought much attention upon child performers and provoked the State of California to enact The California Child Actors Bill in 1939. The new “Coogan Law” defines a minor’s earnings as their sole and separate property and requires employers to preserve 15% of gross compensation in trust until the age of majority (18).
Many states have followed California’s lead and enacted their own regulations. To find out if a state requires a minor performer trust account choose any state from the drop down list above and open the link “Trust Account Required?”