What Does SAG Stand For?

I remember how much I hated all the acronyms when we were first getting started in show business. I didn’t want to ask what they meant for fear of looking stupid and being embarrassed. For one thing, I wondered “What Does SAG Stand For?”

Of course, now with the internet, you can get online and find out exactly what something is. Isn’t the internet wonderful?

At that time, I was just starting to use the internet and used it mostly for email. I used aol on my very inexpensive laptop that was almost unusable because it had so little memory. I don’t know how I survived.

Since the SAG strike issue has been on my mind a lot lately (see So What Is the Status of the SAG Strike?, Is the SAG Strike Still Really Up in the Air?, and What Will a SAG Strike Mean to the Entertainment Industry?), it seems like a good time to answer the question, “What does SAG Stand For?”

SAG stands for the Screen Actors Guild.

What is the Screen Actors Guild?

The Screen Actors Guild is one of the American labor unions for actors employed in the entertainment industry. It was founded in 1933 to prevent the exploitation of actors in Hollywood by the movie studios. At that time, actors were frequently overworked, underpaid, and sometimes working under poor conditions.

SAG establishes mandatory guidelines for working conditions and hours as well as for compensation for actors. SAG actors are only allowed to work on projects with SAG contracts.

SAG also has policies specifically to protect children in the entertainment industry. These policies are strictly enforced. These rules ensure that children are not exploited in any way and that they get appropriate food, rest, and schooling, as well as payment.

There are also different rules for children based on their age at the time of employment and specifying the exact number of hours that they can work and even things such as how many hours of rest-time are required before a child can report to the tv or film set the next day.

SAG also sets standards for agencies. When industry professionals refer to SAG-Franchised agencies, they are referring to agencies that abide by the set of rules set forth by the Screen Actors Guild.

SAG has its own website, http://www.sag.org, where you can find all the news related to SAG in addition to a wealth of additional information about SAG, its policies, course offerings, and many other things. Some of the information is only accessible by SAG members.

Please sign up for Your Young Actors Newsletter for more information on show business acronyms as well as many helpful tips for you and your child as you pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

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Tags: SAG, SAG Strike, Screen Actors Guild, what does SAG stand for

SAG | Debbie Sikkema | April 4, 2009 10:39 pm

16 Comments

By list of hot holiday toys, May 2, 2009 @ 6:27 pm

Hi! Your article really makes sense to me. Thanks so much for sharing!
By matthew from franchises, June 21, 2009 @ 8:40 am

Internet in wonderful indeed However your first few lines had me skimming down and racking my brains thinking, SAG??? I have noo idea.

Gotchya now though

matthew’s last blog post..AAMCO Transmissions
By Josh from Wooden kitchen toys, August 1, 2009 @ 5:52 am

I’m 21 but this still came in handy as I actually believed the acronym they used in Team America. Oh dear – thats a terrible admission isn’t it?! Please forgive me.
By Debbie Sikkema, August 2, 2009 @ 8:53 am

No problem! Thanks for visiting my site and commenting.
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By jenfer from payday loans, December 18, 2009 @ 12:25 am

Thanks for the post.but still i am confused about SAG?
By kitti from payday loans, January 10, 2010 @ 11:59 pm

I think every film industries should have a unity like that.After all unity is the diversity well.
By Jacob from wooden boat plans, March 21, 2010 @ 3:56 am

I agree- I spent a couple days researching this last week, although didn’t find as much information as you’ve displayed here. Thanks for the in-depth post, it certainly clarified a few things for me.
By Fred from Overnight payday loans, April 13, 2010 @ 2:06 pm

I did not know SAG existed. Going to the site to read more about this American labor union for actors.
By adam from Payday loans, April 19, 2010 @ 12:17 am

Hay thanks for the post, and I think to get a good out put unity is must. After all unity is diversity. Not just for the film industry for other also. good job