The Business of Commercials!! 227device produced for such advertising agencies by television stations or
television networks using broadcasting studio facilities of such television
stations or television networks.
Commercials are short advertising or commercial messages made as
motion pictures, 3 minutes or less in length, and intended for showing
over television. Advertising or commercial messages include any narra-
tion, dialogue, songs, jingles or other matter which depict or mention the
advertiser’s name, product or service. They include program openings and
closings which mention the advertiser’s name, product or service. Adver-
tising and commercial messages over 3 minutes in length shall be subject
to separate negotiations between the Union and Producer.
The term ‘‘commercials’’ also includes short advertising messages
intended for showing on the Internet which would be treated as commer-
cials if broadcast on television and which are capable of being used on
television in the same form as on the Internet. If a dispute arises as to
whether material used on the Internet qualifies as a commercial, as
defined above, either party may submit the dispute to a joint committee
established by the Joint Policy Committee and the Union. The joint com-
mittee shall consist of an equal number of persons appointed by the Joint
Policy Committee and by the Union. If the joint committee fails to resolve
the dispute within thirty days, either party may submit the dispute to arbi-
tration.
Mission Statement (www.sag.org)
The Screen Actors Guild represents its members through: negotiation and
enforcement of collective bargaining agreements which establish equitable
levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for performers;
the collection of compensation for exploitation of their recorded perform-
ances and protection against unauthorized use; and the preservation and
expansion of work opportunities.
Joining Qualifications: A performer may become eligible for Screen
Actors Guild membership under one of the following conditions:
- Proof of SAG Employment
A. Principal Performer Employment: Performers may join SAG
upon proof of employment or prospective employment within
two weeks or less by a SAG signatory company. Employment
must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape,
television program or commercial. Proof of such employment
may be in the form of a signed contract, a payroll check or check
stub, or a letter from the company (on company letterhead). The
document proving employment must provide the following
information: applicant’s name and Social Security number, the