Yes. Most casting directors will audition non-union actors, but on union projects it's harder to actually hire one, so non-union actors book most often on smaller projects or in roles that need someone specific. We asked 20 casting directors "Do you audition non-union actors?", and 14 of the 19 clear answers were a straight yes.
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Mostly, yes. Of the 19 casting directors whose answers we could read, 14 said yes without much hesitation, three said sometimes, and two said rarely. Rachel Sutton's answer was "all the time", Seth Yanklewitz said "happily", and Ricki Maslar said you never know where you'll find the next Jeremy Renner.
Several told us they don't even ask about union status at the audition stage. Kerry Barden said he only asks practical questions when a project moves fast, such as whether an overseas actor has a visa.
On a union project, hiring a non-member means the production has to justify a Taft-Hartley to the union. Deborah Barylski said that's why she's selective, and Scot Boland told us the line producer decides whether a role can go that way.
The exceptions came up again and again: children and teens, first-time hires, special skills, and very specific types. Bonnie Zane said a non-union 40-year-old character actor is a hard case when many union actors could play the role. Lisa Beach said it's rare in LA, but more likely in smaller markets where the talent pool is thin. Already SAG-eligible? Lisa Zambetti said that's easier.
Union jobs run on a contract the union has already negotiated: a minimum pay rate (scale), rules on hours, overtime and meal breaks, and in many cases residuals and pension and health contributions on top of your pay. If something goes wrong, the union enforces the contract for you.
Non-union jobs are whatever you and the producer agree. Some pay well, but as Ben Whitehair notes in our library, they basically never pay residuals, and if a producer doesn't pay, it's on you to chase it. Our SAG-AFTRA rates 2026 page shows the current minimums.
Not at the start. One of the representatives in our library put it simply: you usually start non-union and work your way up, and the goal is to get you into the union. Shaan Sharma explains that commercial agents value union members because union work still pays the most over time, though many agencies now run non-union departments too.
Shaan Sharma lists five: safety, lower pay, no benefits, product conflicts and enforcement. The one that catches actors out is the buyout "in perpetuity". If you sign away the rights forever, that ad can stay online and block you from a competitor's job for years. A union commercial, by contrast, has a set period of use. He also notes that commercial work has shifted heavily towards non-union over the past two decades, which is why you'll see so many non-union commercial auditions.
No. Joining means agreeing not to work on projects that haven't signed a union contract. Ben Whitehair notes the only gap is work the union doesn't cover at all, such as print, and suggests calling SAG-AFTRA if you're unsure whether a job is covered.
It's the union rule behind that answer. SAG-AFTRA's Global Rule One page (checked October 2026) says members can't perform on projects that haven't signed union contracts, and that a member who breaks the rule is subject to disciplinary action. Ben explains that "global" means it applies wherever you work, including overseas, though which contracts apply differs by country.
Financial core (Fi-Core) is a status where a performer resigns their SAG-AFTRA membership and becomes a fee-paying non-member. According to SAG-AFTRA's financial core page (checked October 2026), Fi-Core performers give up their card, can't present themselves as SAG-AFTRA members on headshots, resumes or websites, and can't use member-only benefits such as the Conservatory or the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Returning to membership later requires union approval. It's a significant decision, so read the union's page in full before considering it.
If you're early in your career, non-union work is how most actors build footage, credits and confidence, and casting directors will still see you. Once you're SAG-eligible, the timing of joining is partly up to you and partly set by the union's 30-day windows. Our SAG-E page and how to join SAG-AFTRA page cover both.
General information only. Union rules vary by contract and state, so check with SAG-AFTRA for your situation.
Mostly yes. Of the 19 casting directors whose answers we could read, 14 said yes, three said sometimes and two said rarely.
Yes, through a Taft-Hartley, but the production has to justify hiring a non-member, so it happens most for kids, special skills, specific types and smaller markets.
No. Under Global Rule One, members can't work on projects that haven't signed a union contract.
Generally no. Residuals come from union contracts, so non-union projects basically never pay them.
Financial core is when a performer resigns SAG-AFTRA membership and becomes a fee-paying non-member, giving up the card, member-only benefits and the right to call themselves a member.
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