Joining a Film Union · SAG-AFTRA
Puppeteer: how to join SAG-AFTRA
Puppeteers give creatures and characters their performance, from rod and hand puppets to animatronic builds. On union productions the on-camera performance is SAG-AFTRA, and the craft overlaps closely with the art and creature-effects departments.
Good to know
Counterintuitive but true: on a union set the on-camera puppetry is a performance, so it is SAG-AFTRA, not a craft local. If you also build the puppets, that side can fall under the IATSE art and creature-effects locals, so many puppeteers end up working across both worlds.
How to join, step by step
1
Know your union
- On a union set, on-camera puppetry is a performance, so it is SAG-AFTRA, not a craft local.
- If you also build the puppets, that side can fall under the IATSE art and creature-effects locals.
2
Build performance and credits
- Live shows, indie projects, and demo footage show your rod, hand, and animatronic performance.
- Overlap with the art and creature departments widens the work you can take.
3
Get covered performance work
- Covered days come from signatory film, TV, and commercial jobs.
- Non-union projects build the reel and relationships that lead there.
4
Earn eligibility and join
- A covered performer booking makes you eligible for SAG-AFTRA.
- Keep contracts and pay stubs for verification.
What you’ll need
- Proof of a principal day OR three covered background days (vouchers, contracts, pay stubs)
- Government ID and work eligibility documents
- Initiation funds: currently $3,121 national (payment plans exist)
- First semiannual dues, due at joining
Find your local
SAG-AFTRA membership runs through a local for your market. Look up the one that covers where you work on the union’s site.