SAG hell

Alright where to start... I've purchased alot of stuff for my shoot and was ready to actually get started but I've run into a snag... or should I say a SAG. See the actors I've been working with are all SAG and when I phoned up SAG to find out about SAG's experimental film clause, I realized they need at least a month to go over my script and budget and things before granting me permission to shoot my movie.

My lawyer called them up actually to get all the details but they refuse to talk to him or send him any details claiming they "don't talk or deal with lawyers - only to producers" for the experimental clause. When he told them he represents me and speaks for me they reiterated their claim to not speak with lawyers. They even refused to allow a conference call with my lawyer being involved. Thus they're refusing every independent filmmaker their constitutional right to be represented by an attorney when speaking to them (a lawsuit waiting to happen). But my lawyer found out the details of the experimental film clause and realized the only reason they probably refuse to talk to lawyers is because the experimental film clause is very restrictive and set up in such a way that if I tell them one wrong thing they'll refuse to grant me the experimental contracts.

This I found out for myself about a month ago when I called up SAG and told them I wanted to keep the budget down below $200,000. They told me the experimental clause had to stay below $75,000 and that I couldn't do it. So I said "Alright, then I'll keep the cost below $75,000 and they said "Nope, too late you already said $200,000!" As if you can't change your mind! I said "When I said $200,000 I didn't realize that was too high a price tag - I'll keep the film below $75,000 though - all I have is $28,000 anyway!" They're cruel over there at SAG. They don't negotiate and they seem to enjoy deterring indy filmmakers from using their actors (all of whom want to be in my film more than anything).

So now my film is in hiatus. I have a crew all ready to go and a lot of the equipment is already purchased. We'll see what happens. I still have to convince SAG to let me have the experimental clause. They could refuse me because of a million reasons and then I'm fucked. I can't even find other actors because my actors attached won't let me use anyone else, that's how much they want to be a part of this project.

But things are going well besides. Entertainment Tonight called and want to come down to our set when we shoot to film the making of the film. That's pretty cool. One of my actors broke his ankle but he should be walking again by the time we go into production. A Production Assistant who wants to work on the film also broke her ankle. Crazy. But I gotta get to bed. I'll try to keep regular updates from here on out so stay tuned. The REAL Film school just started boys and girls...