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HOW
TO GET SAG-ELIGIBILITY:
LESSONS LEARNED
ON ALBERT BROOK'S SET
by
Anup Sugunan
I
just worked as an extra on Albert Brooks' (Finding Nemo,
The Muse) Untitled Project which eventually led to
a featured role. Here are a few things I learned from working
on it for eight days.
Get
the novelty of being on screen out of your system because it
will hurt your chance of getting a featured role later on in
the same project. I'd say that it took me about 3-4 major projects
to get it out of me. Now, I will hide my face at all times and
hope for a featured role.
I
ended up getting the role because the casting director was walking
around asking who can drive a right-hand drive stick-shift truck.
I immediately jumped at it and said yes even though I'd never
done it before.
Then, Albert selected me for the role which turned out to be
3 more days (or rather nights, 4pm – 5am) of shooting.
I even got my own room in a honey-wagon trailer. I was excited
about that – the first time I could actually say, `I'll
be in my trailer' and not have it be a joke.
Next
time, I will let the casting directors know upfront that if
they need
anyone for anything, to please let me know.
During
these eight days, I became SAG-eligible by accumulating 3 vouchers
(I ended up with 6 total). However, this does not make me a
better actor. I used to think SAG actors were so much better,
but it's just a title. It means nothing in terms of performance
- don't hide behind a title. So, just keep at it and try and
find projects that will give you vouchers, then YOU can decide
if you want to join or not.
I
will NOT join because I want to be able to continue working
on non-union films. I will join when a big project comes my
way with a decent role. However, if you are not interested in
acting I would recommend trying to join asap and then work background
(aka extras) as a job because it's really flexible – IF
you live in LA because there aren't as many union work elsewhere.
Plus, you meet so many people who can possibly refer you for
another project if you perform well.
The
pay is double. Scale for an extra is $118/8hours currently,
but you get `bumps' for bringing your own wardrobe, changing
wardrobe, mileage, late lunches (meal penalties), etc.
-Anup
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