SAG-AFTRA will start accepting influencer members

This is an insult to the atmosphere players!

will they get union insurance?

So they fucked their members over healthcare and now they're saying they're the same as these vapid social media pricks? Equity should expand into film/television as a rival union, they'd probably do quite well.

How do you determine who is an official "influencer"? And, didn't they used to be called snakeoil salesmen and hucksters? We need more carnivals to contain these people.

Ever since Donald Trump resigned his membership, the union hasn't been any good.

"and actors who are looking to become influencers to have that advertising work count towards their pension and health."

So actors who peddle bullshit on their IGs benefit, too. Jen Garner will finally get credit for peddling cheap drugstore face cleanser.

R4 Anyone who's paid to advertise on their social media in video or audio form. Still imagery isn't eligible. This gets them pension and healthcare benefits. How is this good for current members? SAG were claiming their previous healthcare system was unaffordable and so slashed it - how is it going to be any more affordable when you add potentially thousands of people who are making - and therefore contributing - small amounts here and there?

[quote]There is no mandated contract minimum; fees and rates will still be independently negotiated between the influencer and the advertiser.

So what's the point?

Those youtubers work hard. Say what you want but most young people watch YouTube just as much if not more than streaming. These YouTube kids are putting out content once a week and spending hours editing their videos (except for the top tier ones who hire editors). What exactly are the majority of SAG members doing?

Most actors are setting up YouTube channels at this point.

I’m too old for tiktok.

Why not?

"Influencers" are content-creating ADVERTISERS same as commercials, so why not offer them membership?

R8 Thing is, they're not going to get the successful ones joining, because they won't need what SAG-AFTRA offers. They're going to be getting the dregs.

Great for them. But it makes my negative feelings for them even stronger!

That is one way to regulate the Influencer business.

[quote]how is it going to be any more affordable when you add potentially thousands of people who are making - and therefore contributing - small amounts here and there?

This will likely only affect those who have a big platform because whoever is sponsoring the influencer will have to become a signatory in order for it to be union work and in order for the Pension and Welfare Fund to accept the Pension and Welfare contribution. Also, there is an eligibility threshold a performer must meet to even get the insurance and it is likely they won't meet it so they're not using the benefit.

R13 Thanks for the information and correction.

That means they are desperate for money from more dues paying members.

Mary! Now every John, Joe, and Mary will be part of the union !!

[quote] it makes my negative feelings for them even stronger!

My negative feeling would be smaller if they drop that arrogant, vainglorious label "influencer".

Oh good lawdy. Who let that trash in?

SAG merging with AFTRA was a huge mistake. Everyone knew it at the time. Actors and local weather people are not in the same profession.

Is anyone surprised it would just get lower and lower?

[quote]Actors and local weather people are not in the same profession.

Do you know what an acting challenge it is to remain upbeat knowing that a tornado is about to blow someone's house away? Glenn Close couldn't do it.

What r8/r8 are saying. The majority of influencers work more (and harder) than actors - so why the f not?

It’s an industry that needs to be regulated anyway - it’s the Wild West out there.

That's cool.

[quote]SAG merging with AFTRA was a huge mistake. Everyone knew it at the time. Actors and local weather people are not in the same profession.

Unlike actors whose income can fluctuate, broadcasters have a steady income and many in the local markets are high earners(newcasters and DJs both), making more than the minimum dues paying members that populate the union. When people think about SAG-AFTRA members they think of the movie stars but the majority of actors barely anything. That was a pre-merger issue and it will always be the issue.

Are Reality TV stars eligible to join SAG-AFTRA?

SAG-AFTRA has become a joke.

There actually is a SAG joke I heard, from Forbidden Hollywood (a film themed version of Forbidden Broadway)

[quote]Turns out there is a cure for homosexuality. A SAG card.

We can tell the wannabe "influencers" on this thread. I'm surprised they haven't tried to link to their lame channels.

Isn't membership fees for SAG/AFTRA like $5Gs a year? Forget it. I'll pay for my Academy movie ticket nominations myself.

Influencers are probably about the only performers earning any money from performing at this time. A union can't exist if none of its members are earning money and paying dues.

[quote]SAG-AFTRA has become a joke.

They became a joke within the past decade when they stopped protecting American actors and letting the industry hire foreigners in their place, including to play Americans. The industry has become so far-left and anti-America, it'd disgusting.

So who came up with this?

Should Gabrielle Carteris be sent packing?

Do the very big movie stars really get their health insurance through SAG-AFTRA? Surely they can afford to self-insure?

[quote]The industry has become so far-left and anti-America, it'd disgusting.

^^^ Found the Trumpster

[quote]That means they are desperate for money from more dues paying members.

No, it actually does not. If they were "desperate for members" than it would be like the legacy AFTRA union, where anyone could join by paying the initiation fee.

I have no idea why lefties are the first to shit all over union labor with their snark and ignorance. Many actual SAG-AFTRA members are totally unaware of what their union does, or how it operates, mostly the Republicans.

R27: The initiation fee is $3000. Then you pay dues in May and then again in November. The union used to be very selective and it was very difficult to join. Ever since SAG and AFTRA merged, it’s become much easier. In addition to the 3 background pay stubs and getting a speaking role, you can now join via New Media and now of course this.

They'll have to drop the "speaking role" requirement if all you have to do is make a Youtube video of yourself unboxing your shit.

Considering that the vast majority of today's actors are pretty blah, it's not surprising that the union is now letting pretty much anyone join.