Whether they are in the Screen Actors Guild or
not, people have a tendancy to move. While SAG
members always remember to forward their postal
mail, oftentimes they neglect to notify their
union of their new address. After six months to a
year, the mail is no longer forwarded by the post
office, and the dues letters and correspondence
stop.
Including their residual checks.
What are residuals? Basically residuals are
further compensation paid to performers for the
re-use of a motion picture or television program
they have appeared in. Performers are entitled to
residuals if they are classified as a principal
performer, which includes singers, stunt
coordinators, pilots, dancers under Schedule J and
other performers designed under the principal
agreement.
Residuals are paid to those performers ever 30
days after an airdate for television
non-syndicated airings, four months for syndicated
airdates and shows that are under basic cable
agreements are paid quarrtlery. A full list of
residual due dates can be found at www.sag.com.
If you think you are due residuals, but have
let your membership in the guild expire, or have
not kept up your contact information, you can
search the SAG Unclaimed Residuals Database for
your name. If your name is found, it will give you
precise instructions on how to fill out the
paperwork to claim your due residuals.
The number one lesson is:
Keep your contact information with your unions
current!
