SPANISH LANGUAGE COMMERCIALS
Q. Are there any differences between Spanish language and English language commercials in regards to the minimum session fees or working conditions?
A. No, the minimum session fees and all working conditions for Spanish language commercials are exactly the same as English language commercials. All provisions of the contract apply. In addition, if the producer wishes to also hold the Spanish language performer exclusive to the advertised product in the English language market, an additional 50% of session and use is paid to the performer.
Q. What are the differences between Spanish language and English language residuals?
A. For Class A or program use residuals, Spanish language performers receive a per cycle payment rather than a “pay-per-play” structure. The four major Spanish language networks, Galavision, Telemundo, Univision, and Telefutura are either paid as program use or Wild Spot, depending on the media buy. For Wild Spot residuals, the television markets are weighted differently than in the English language market to account for the cities with large Hispanic populations. For example, Miami has a unit weight of 4 for the English market and a unit weight of 17 for the Spanish market. All cable use payments for Spanish language commercials are identical to English language commercials.
Q. Are there any differences between Spanish language and English language commercials in how Internet and New Media residuals are calculated?
A. No, for Spanish language commercials exhibited on the Internet and New Media, the residual payments are identical to English language commercials. Please contact your local SAG office for further information.
Q. How is foreign use paid on a Spanish language commercial?
A. For use in South America and/or Central America and/or Mexico, 4 session fees are due. For use in the Caribbean and/or Puerto Rico, 3 session fees are due. If the producer elects to exhibit the commercial in any country in South America, Central America and/or Mexico IN ADDITION TO any country in the Caribbean and/or Puerto Rico, a total of 4 session fees are due. For use in countries outside of those listed, the residual payments would be the same as an English language commercial (UK: 3 session fees; Europe: 2 session fees; Japan: 1 session fee; Asian-Pacific countries: 1 session fee; and anywhere else: 1 session fee). For use throughout the entire world, 8 session fees are due. Session and holding fees cannot be credited against foreign use.
Q. How are performers paid when the producer makes a Spanish language commercial from an English language commercial?
A. If the commercial is filmed twice, performers receive two separate session fees and the commercials are considered separate spots for residual purposes. If the commercial isn’t filmed twice and only the voice-over changes, the on-camera performers receive one session fee and one set of residuals.
Q. Does SAG monitor the payments for Spanish language commercials?
A. Yes, all checks for Spanish language commercials are sent to the Guild for verification before distribution to the performers. That way, the Guild can file claims for late or improper pay immediately.
DUBBING
Q. Does SAG cover Spanish Language dubbing?
A. Yes. SAG has a Spanish Language Modification (Dubbing) Agreement for the purposes of dubbing Spanish language sound track to be used in connection with motion pictures initially produced in a language other than Spanish.
Q. Does the Dubbing Agreement apply to programs dubbed for Second Audio Programming on Broadcast television?
A. Yes.
Q. How much do performers get paid?
A. A performer may be employed for the purpose of dubbing sound track on an hourly basis with a minimum guarantee of three (3) hours. The performer
shall be compensated a t a rate of $20.64 per hour for each of the first 8 hours on any day.
The Employer must also contribute 13.15% of all gross compensation to the Pension and Health plans.
Q. Do I get residuals for Spanish language dubbing?
A. No.
TRANSLATIONS
Q. If performers are asked to translate the script at a session, audition or another performer’s dialogue, do they get paid?
A. On Commercials an additional 50% of session is paid to any performer asked to provide translation services.
On Television and theatrical productions a performer cannot be required to translate another performer’s dialogue into any language other than that in which a script is written. However, performers may bargain separately for such non-covered services.
GLOBAL RULE ONE
Q. If a performer is offered a job on non-english production outside of the United Sates and its territories would they be in violation of Global Rule One if they accept?
A. No. Global Rule one doesn’t extend to foreign language outside of the U.S. or its territories.
SPANISHLANGUAGE TELEVISION
Q. Are SAG members allowed to work on telenovelas or webnovelas?
A. If you are offered employment on a telenovela or webnovela or any work for Spanish language television contact Carlina Rodriguez, Director Spanish language organizing via email at carlina.rodriguez@sag.org or (305) 670-7677 x 7076 to discuss the particulars.
NON-UNION AUDITIONS
Q. Can I go to a non-union audition?
A. Yes. SAG members are allowed to go to non-union auditions but you cannot accept the work unless the production signs a SAG agreement.
PUERTO RICO
Q. Does SAG have jurisdiction in Puerto Rico on regardless of language?
A. Yes. Our South Region office in Florida oversees SAG productions regardless of language, services the members and presents workshops and seminars on a regular basis in Puerto Rico. For more information please contact Leslie Krensky, South Region Executive Director at lkrensky@sag.org or via telephone at (305) 670-7677 ext. 7077
ORGANIZING
Q. Who do I call if the company is interested in signing or to try to get the production organized?
A. Contacts:
Carlina Rodriguez - Director Spanish Language Organizing carlina.rodriguez@sag.org or (305) 670-7677x 7076
Jacqueline Perez-Osorio, Organizer at jperez@sag.org or (323) 549-6548
Marlena Fitzpatrick-Garcia, Manager Organizing mfgarcia@sag.org or (212) 827-1505.
Q. How can I get involved?
A. There are many SAG committees and task forces such as the National Spanish Language Media Task Force and MOVE/MORE. Click on the link below and select the one that interests you.
http://www.sag.org/committee-service-request-forms
