Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Great news for indie game developers! The new Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement makes it easier than ever for independent studios to work with top SAG-AFTRA talent—without breaking the bank.
In this episode of Take 5, Sarah Elmaleh (actor, voice director, and Chair of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee) sits down with Ray Rodriguez, SAG-AFTRA’s Chief Contracts Officer, to discuss how this groundbreaking agreement provides scalable compensation, A.I. protections, better working conditions, and residuals for performers.
Whether you're a developer looking to hire professional talent or a performer wondering how this affects your career, this is a must-watch.
0:00 – Introduction: New Opportunities for Indie Game Creators
0:07 – Accessing Professional SAG-AFTRA Talent on Smaller Budgets
0:12 – Meet Sarah Elmaleh & Ray Rodriguez
0:23 – Why This New Tiered Budget Agreement Matters
0:38 – Background: Evolution of the Low-Budget Video Game Agreement
0:43 – How the Tiered Budget Contract Works for Producers
0:51 – Using the Agreement During a Strike: Interim + Tiered Options
1:01 – Budget Tiers Explained: $250K to $30M
1:10 – Four Budget Levels & Scaled Minimum Rates
1:22 – How Higher Tiers Align With Traditional SAG-AFTRA Rates
1:28 – Projects Under $250K: Contact SAG-AFTRA for Options
1:36 – Why This Contract Feels Familiar to Film Actors
1:42 – Robust AI Protections Built Into the Agreement
1:51 – AI Protection #1: Informed Consent for Digital Replicas
2:04 – AI Protection #2: Voice & Visual Replication Rules
2:12 – AI Protection #3: Synthetic Performances & Monitoring
2:22 – AI Protection #4: Compensation for Your Digital Replica’s Work
2:33 – Core Performer Protections Beyond AI
2:38 – Limits on Hours, Breaks & Mandatory Safety Standards
2:55 – Motion Capture & Stunt-Related Safety Requirements
3:11 – Vocal Stress Protections for Voice Actors
3:23 – Why Game Work Can Be More Physically Demanding
3:40 – Sharing in Success: The Secondary Payment Structure
3:53 – Why These Secondary Payments Are Better Than the Main Contract
4:06 – How Unit-Based Payments Function Like Residuals
4:15 – Updating Compensation Models as Games Evolve
4:25 – Producers Encouraged to Consult on New Monetization Models
4:32 – Why This Agreement Benefits Both Members & Game Studios
4:43 – Supporting Passion Projects While Ensuring Fair Pay
4:55 – Closing: How This Contract Helps Grow the Indie Game Sector
5:02 – Learn More at sagaftra.org/interactive
5:14 – Subscribe for More SAG-AFTRA Contract Education
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.
Learn more at SAGAFTRA.org/Interactive and subscribe to the SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel for more updates.
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
Great news for indie game developers! The new Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement makes it easier than ever for independent studios to work with top SAG-AFTRA talent—without breaking the bank.
In this episode of Take 5, Sarah Elmaleh (actor, voice director, and Chair of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee) sits down with Ray Rodriguez, SAG-AFTRA’s Chief Contracts Officer, to discuss how this groundbreaking agreement provides scalable compensation, A.I. protections, better working conditions, and residuals for performers.
Whether you're a developer looking to hire professional talent or a performer wondering how this affects your career, this is a must-watch.
0:00 – Introduction: New Opportunities for Indie Game Creators
0:07 – Accessing Professional SAG-AFTRA Talent on Smaller Budgets
0:12 – Meet Sarah Elmaleh & Ray Rodriguez
0:23 – Why This New Tiered Budget Agreement Matters
0:38 – Background: Evolution of the Low-Budget Video Game Agreement
0:43 – How the Tiered Budget Contract Works for Producers
0:51 – Using the Agreement During a Strike: Interim + Tiered Options
1:01 – Budget Tiers Explained: $250K to $30M
1:10 – Four Budget Levels & Scaled Minimum Rates
1:22 – How Higher Tiers Align With Traditional SAG-AFTRA Rates
1:28 – Projects Under $250K: Contact SAG-AFTRA for Options
1:36 – Why This Contract Feels Familiar to Film Actors
1:42 – Robust AI Protections Built Into the Agreement
1:51 – AI Protection #1: Informed Consent for Digital Replicas
2:04 – AI Protection #2: Voice & Visual Replication Rules
2:12 – AI Protection #3: Synthetic Performances & Monitoring
2:22 – AI Protection #4: Compensation for Your Digital Replica’s Work
2:33 – Core Performer Protections Beyond AI
2:38 – Limits on Hours, Breaks & Mandatory Safety Standards
2:55 – Motion Capture & Stunt-Related Safety Requirements
3:11 – Vocal Stress Protections for Voice Actors
3:23 – Why Game Work Can Be More Physically Demanding
3:40 – Sharing in Success: The Secondary Payment Structure
3:53 – Why These Secondary Payments Are Better Than the Main Contract
4:06 – How Unit-Based Payments Function Like Residuals
4:15 – Updating Compensation Models as Games Evolve
4:25 – Producers Encouraged to Consult on New Monetization Models
4:32 – Why This Agreement Benefits Both Members & Game Studios
4:43 – Supporting Passion Projects While Ensuring Fair Pay
4:55 – Closing: How This Contract Helps Grow the Indie Game Sector
5:02 – Learn More at sagaftra.org/interactive
5:14 – Subscribe for More SAG-AFTRA Contract Education
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.
Learn more at SAGAFTRA.org/Interactive and subscribe to the SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel for more updates.
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
