The SAG Shortcut
SAG-AFTRA in a Day.*
SAG-AFTRA Commercial Shoot –From $1,499
Bundle & Save🎬 Want a principle Voucher?
Book a commercial and get $200 off.📦 Full Eligibility Bundle – $1,499
(Get fully eligible, fast.)
3-Month Plan: $499/month
👆🎤 Includes a principal, speaking role in a union commercial-style shoot
💼 Includes SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley submission
💰 Covers required union wages + pension & health contributions
✅ Best for actors who want to get SAG-Eligible in just 1 shoot
3 Month Plan: $333/month
👆I👥 Non-speaking (background) role in 1 union commercial-style shoot
📝 Includes 1 SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley submission (background)
💰 Includes SAG-required background pay ($427.30) + pension/health (20.5%)
⚠️ Note: You need 3 background vouchers to become SAG-Eligible
👆👥 Non-speaking roles in 2 union commercial-style shoots
📝 Includes 2 Taft-Hartley submission (background)
💰 Includes required union wages + pension/health for both shoot days
⚠️ Note: One more shoot required to reach full SAG-AFTRA eligibility as a background actor
(👆🎥 For existing SAG-AFTRA members only
Shoot a short scene to refresh your reel — does not include a Taft-Hartley)
(⭐ For non-union or SAG actors who don’t need a voucher)
Star in your own custom short film scene (1–3 minutes) — professionally shot, directed, and delivered with your name as lead on IMDb.
⚠️ This option does not include a SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley submission.
Get SAG-AFTRA Eligible — The Smart Way
We shoot real commercials for a variety of brands and companies — and sometimes we hire non-union actors. If you're cast in one of our shoots, we’ll submit a SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley report on your behalf to help you qualify.This isn’t a short film bootcamp — this is real commercial work with professional crews, fast turnarounds, and a direct path toward union eligibility.
How It Works (The Shortcut in a Nutshell)
We produce branded content and commercial shoots year-round. When we cast non-union actors in principal roles, we file a Taft-Hartley to help them become SAG-AFTRA eligible — legally and professionally.What You Get
✅ A principal role in a real commercial (1–3 minutes)
✅ Full crew: director, DP, sound, editor
✅ Professional footage for your reel
✅ SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley submission included (if cast)
✅ Behind-the-scenes photos (optional)
What’s Included
A featured role in a real commercial shoot
Professional director, cinematographer, and editor
SAG-AFTRA contract with union-standard production
Edited footage delivered within 2 weeks
Taft-Hartley submission if you're non-union and cast in a qualifying role
Who It’s For
You’re not trying to get “fake credits.” You want real footage, real experience, and real union eligibility.The SAG Shortcut™ is for actors ready to go pro — fast.You’ve taken the classes. You’ve built your resume. You’re ready to go pro.The SAG Shortcut™ is for actors who want to qualify for SAG-AFTRA — without waiting tables for another two years.We’ve helped over 100 actors make the leap.
Now we’re opening up 10 spots. Starting at $499.
📄 Downloads & SAG-AFTRA Docs
Everything you need to see what we file, what you sign, and how eligibility works.SAG-AFTRA Low Budget Digital Waiver
📥 Download PDFSample Taft-Hartley Report (Blank)
📥 Download FormPerformer Agreement (Sample)
📥 View Principal + Background TemplateHow SAG-AFTRA Eligibility Works (1-Pager)
📥 Download Overview GuideUnion Pay Rate Breakdown
📥 View Rates SheetAdd-On Menu (Optional Upgrades)
📥 Download Options SheetBehind-the-Scenes Lookbook
📥 View PDF Album
CLIENTS
Book a Shortcut Saturday [NOW]
© 2025 The SAG Shortcut™. All rights reserved.
Based in Los Angeles, CA. Not affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.
📧 [email protected]
📸 Follow us: @thesagshortcut
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Shortcut Saturday?
A: It’s a 3-hour shoot day where you’ll film 1 Commercial which qualifies as a SAG-AFTRA principal role submitted with a Taft-Hartley.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: $1,299 for the full bundle — or break it into 3 monthly payments of $433.
Q: What if Stripe doesn’t work for me?
A: Stripe can be picky. We also accept PayPal — but PayPal must be paid in full (no payment plan option there).
Q: Can I add extras like IMDb credit or a scene cut?
A: Yes! We offer add-ons like BTS photos, IMDb submission, 48-hour turnaround, and more.
Q: When do I need to choose add-ons?
A: Add-ons must be selected the same day you book, since we submit the paperwork with SAG-AFTRA right away.
Q: What happens after I pay?
A: You'll get a form to schedule your shoot, plus SAG-AFTRA paperwork and all the prep details to get camera-ready.
About SAG Shortcut and SAG-AFTRA Eligibility
Does SAG Shortcut guarantee SAG-AFTRA membership?
No. SAG-AFTRA is the only organization that can determine eligibility for union membership.
We do not guarantee membership.What we do guarantee is that if you're cast in one of our commercial shoots as a principal performer, we’ll file an official SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley report — the exact process that has helped many actors become eligible.What makes SAG Shortcut different?
SAG Shortcut is run by a working director/producer with credits at Disney, MGM, Starz, Comedy Dynamics, and more.
We shoot professional commercial-style content — not fake productions or unpaid workshops. Your footage is fully usable, SAG-compliant, and professionally directed under a union agreement.What type of role will I get?
Every actor cast through SAG Shortcut receives a principal role with speaking lines in a commercial-style shoot.
We tailor each scene to your strengths — comedic, dramatic, or stylized — and ensure it meets union requirements for Taft-Hartley eligibility.What SAG-AFTRA contract do you use?
We sign each project under an official SAG-AFTRA Commercials Agreement (typically the Low Budget Digital Waiver) or another qualifying contract, depending on the production.
These contracts are approved for Taft-Hartley submissions.Are these real brand commercials?Sometimes.
We work on both real commercial shoots for actual brands and independently produced commercial-style content.If you're cast in a principal role under a qualifying SAG-AFTRA contract — whether for a real brand or a branded-style project — we submit a valid Taft-Hartley to help you become SAG-eligible.All projects are filmed under an official SAG-AFTRA contract, and all roles are paid principal performances that follow union rules.Do I need to pay to participate?
Yes. All performers must be paid principal actors per SAG-AFTRA rules.
We do not use deferred or unpaid labor. Your payment helps ensure your role qualifies for Taft-Hartley submission and meets all union standards.What happens after filming?
We submit your SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley within 15 days of the shoot.
Once processed and verified, you’ll appear in the union system as SAG-Eligible — assuming all union requirements are met.Legal Disclaimer
SAG Shortcut operates within SAG-AFTRA guidelines but is not affiliated with or endorsed by SAG-AFTRA.
We cannot guarantee eligibility or union membership. That decision rests solely with SAG-AFTRA.We commit to providing legitimate union productions, accurate paperwork, and full transparency — but eligibility is ultimately at the discretion of the union.