Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Think you need a big budget to make a professional film? Think again! In this episode of Take 5, Stacey Travis, Chair of SAG-AFTRA’s Low Budget Committee, and Olga Rodriguez-Aguirre, Executive Director for Entertainment Contracts, break down how indie filmmakers can access union protections and SAG-AFTRA talent without breaking the bank.
Stacey and Olga discuss:
The Ultra Low Budget Agreement ($300K or less) and its key provisions.
The Moderate Low Budget Agreement ($300K - $700K) with increased rates and residuals.
The Low Budget Agreement ($700K - $2M) with full residuals and standard working conditions.
Diversity incentives and budget caps to promote inclusivity on set.
For more information, visit SAGAFTRA.org/LowBudget.
0:00 – Introduction: Understanding SAG-AFTRA Low Budget Agreements
0:06 – Meet Stacey Travis & Olga Rodriguez-Aguirre
0:12 – What We’ll Cover: UPA, Moderate Low & Low Budget Agreements
0:34 – Ultra Low Budget (UPA) Agreement Overview
0:45 – UPA Budget Cap, Daily Rates & Working Conditions
1:00 – UPA Background Incentive: Raising the Budget to $350,000
1:17 – Examples: Big Stars Who Worked Under UPA
1:32 – Moderate Low Budget Agreement Overview
1:59 – Budget Range: $300K–$700K & Key Provisions
2:12 – Minimum Rates, Residuals & Production Conditions
2:23 – Low Budget Theatrical Agreement Overview
2:35 – Budget Range: $700K–$2 Million & Minimum Rates
2:53 – Domestic-Only Filming Requirements (UPA, Moderate & Low)
3:00 – Diversity Casting Incentives Explained
3:05 – Defining Diversity Under the Low Budget Agreements
3:18 – Budget Increases for Meeting Diversity Goals
3:29 – Incentive Examples: Moderate Low Up to $950K, Low Budget Up to $3M
3:46 – Background Hiring Incentives for Moderate Low Budget
4:02 – Why Hiring Background Increases Budget Caps
4:12 – Where to Find More Information (sagaftra.org/lowbudget)
4:22 – Additional Resources: Explainer Videos & Festival Success Stories
4:33 – Closing: Thanks for Watching “Take 5”
Any information provided in this video is provided for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of legal and/or financial counsel. You should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided in this video. SAG-AFTRA, its affiliates and contributors, shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or damages arising from anyone’s use of the information described and/or contained herein.
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Watch our NEWEST videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1&index=2
Follow SAG-AFTRA:
Website: sagaftra.org/home
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftra
Instagram: instagram.com/sagaftra
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftra
Watch more SAG-AFTRA:
Actor to Actor Interviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCH2A9ciqhchJRvXgFbhT0R&playnext=1
Events: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCY7OnjbhQXFMZespg2gUYd&playnext=1
Industry Panel Discussions: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDDRF2OQQJWAYmB47v0j_06&playnext=1
Latest Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1
Popular Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDXBxaZ40JAOrS4hyf97nUy&playnext=1
About SAG-AFTRA:
Welcome to the official SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel. On this channel, you’ll find a variety of informational, entertaining, and educational content, including interviews, industry panel discussions, celebrity events, actor to actor interviews, SAG Awards red carpet footage, award show bts, and more. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.
#SAGAFTRA
Think you need a big budget to make a professional film? Think again! In this episode of Take 5, Stacey Travis, Chair of SAG-AFTRA’s Low Budget Committee, and Olga Rodriguez-Aguirre, Executive Director for Entertainment Contracts, break down how indie filmmakers can access union protections and SAG-AFTRA talent without breaking the bank.
Stacey and Olga discuss:
The Ultra Low Budget Agreement ($300K or less) and its key provisions.
The Moderate Low Budget Agreement ($300K - $700K) with increased rates and residuals.
The Low Budget Agreement ($700K - $2M) with full residuals and standard working conditions.
Diversity incentives and budget caps to promote inclusivity on set.
For more information, visit SAGAFTRA.org/LowBudget.
0:00 – Introduction: Understanding SAG-AFTRA Low Budget Agreements
0:06 – Meet Stacey Travis & Olga Rodriguez-Aguirre
0:12 – What We’ll Cover: UPA, Moderate Low & Low Budget Agreements
0:34 – Ultra Low Budget (UPA) Agreement Overview
0:45 – UPA Budget Cap, Daily Rates & Working Conditions
1:00 – UPA Background Incentive: Raising the Budget to $350,000
1:17 – Examples: Big Stars Who Worked Under UPA
1:32 – Moderate Low Budget Agreement Overview
1:59 – Budget Range: $300K–$700K & Key Provisions
2:12 – Minimum Rates, Residuals & Production Conditions
2:23 – Low Budget Theatrical Agreement Overview
2:35 – Budget Range: $700K–$2 Million & Minimum Rates
2:53 – Domestic-Only Filming Requirements (UPA, Moderate & Low)
3:00 – Diversity Casting Incentives Explained
3:05 – Defining Diversity Under the Low Budget Agreements
3:18 – Budget Increases for Meeting Diversity Goals
3:29 – Incentive Examples: Moderate Low Up to $950K, Low Budget Up to $3M
3:46 – Background Hiring Incentives for Moderate Low Budget
4:02 – Why Hiring Background Increases Budget Caps
4:12 – Where to Find More Information (sagaftra.org/lowbudget)
4:22 – Additional Resources: Explainer Videos & Festival Success Stories
4:33 – Closing: Thanks for Watching “Take 5”
Any information provided in this video is provided for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of legal and/or financial counsel. You should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided in this video. SAG-AFTRA, its affiliates and contributors, shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or damages arising from anyone’s use of the information described and/or contained herein.
Subscribe: bit.ly/subSAGAFTRA | Make sure to enable ALL push notifications!
Watch our NEWEST videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1&index=2
Follow SAG-AFTRA:
Website: sagaftra.org/home
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftra
Instagram: instagram.com/sagaftra
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftra
Watch more SAG-AFTRA:
Actor to Actor Interviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCH2A9ciqhchJRvXgFbhT0R&playnext=1
Events: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCY7OnjbhQXFMZespg2gUYd&playnext=1
Industry Panel Discussions: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDDRF2OQQJWAYmB47v0j_06&playnext=1
Latest Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1
Popular Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDXBxaZ40JAOrS4hyf97nUy&playnext=1
About SAG-AFTRA:
Welcome to the official SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel. On this channel, you’ll find a variety of informational, entertaining, and educational content, including interviews, industry panel discussions, celebrity events, actor to actor interviews, SAG Awards red carpet footage, award show bts, and more. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.
#SAGAFTRA
