Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
You nailed the audition and have been cast as a major role performer. Great, but what exactly does that mean, and how could it affect your paycheck? SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, New York and New York Local President Ezra Knight joins SAG-AFTRA Deputy Chief Contracts Officer Jessica Johnson to explain when the classification applies, how minimum rates are calculated and what performers should ask before accepting a role.
*What you'll learn:*
- When major role performer provisions apply and which types of productions they cover
- How the half-hour and one-hour guarantees, one-day exception and 2027 episodic escalator affect minimum rates
- How terms such as guest star, top of show and co-star relate, and what to clarify before accepting a role
*Featuring:*
- SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, New York and New York Local President Ezra Knight
- SAG-AFTRA Deputy Chief Contracts Officer Jessica Johnson
0:00 What Is a Major Role Performer?
0:46 How Major Role Performer Status Is Defined
1:15 When Major Role Performer Provisions Apply
2:03 Rates and Pay Guarantees
2:59 The One-Day Exception
3:24 Negotiating Above Scale
3:37 The New 2027 Rate Escalator
4:32 Guest Star, Top of Show and Co-Star Explained
6:01 Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Role
6:54 Where to Find Help and More Information
Have questions about major role performer provisions or your rights under SAG-AFTRA contracts? Visit sagaftra.org/tv for more information, including the Major Role Performer bulletin (ow.ly/Bi7B50ZzxOY).
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
You nailed the audition and have been cast as a major role performer. Great, but what exactly does that mean, and how could it affect your paycheck? SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, New York and New York Local President Ezra Knight joins SAG-AFTRA Deputy Chief Contracts Officer Jessica Johnson to explain when the classification applies, how minimum rates are calculated and what performers should ask before accepting a role.
*What you'll learn:*
- When major role performer provisions apply and which types of productions they cover
- How the half-hour and one-hour guarantees, one-day exception and 2027 episodic escalator affect minimum rates
- How terms such as guest star, top of show and co-star relate, and what to clarify before accepting a role
*Featuring:*
- SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, New York and New York Local President Ezra Knight
- SAG-AFTRA Deputy Chief Contracts Officer Jessica Johnson
0:00 What Is a Major Role Performer?
0:46 How Major Role Performer Status Is Defined
1:15 When Major Role Performer Provisions Apply
2:03 Rates and Pay Guarantees
2:59 The One-Day Exception
3:24 Negotiating Above Scale
3:37 The New 2027 Rate Escalator
4:32 Guest Star, Top of Show and Co-Star Explained
6:01 Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Role
6:54 Where to Find Help and More Information
Have questions about major role performer provisions or your rights under SAG-AFTRA contracts? Visit sagaftra.org/tv for more information, including the Major Role Performer bulletin (ow.ly/Bi7B50ZzxOY).
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
