Today’s #MMD is a practical explanation to a question we get frequently:
If I book a co-star role, can I bump up my billing to guest star without asking for a pay increase?
The simple answer is: 𝗻𝗼
According to SAG rules for TV, billing and pay MUST be tied.
Any bump in credit will need to result in the appropriate bump in pay.
For a co-star role that works 2 days, for example, this would be asking for an increase in credit + an increase from $2,060 to $9,064 (TOS) (as of 2021).
That is over $7k in “bump” money and one that our production/studio will not be prepared for.
This is why communication and a mutual understanding with your reps is 𝘴𝘰 important.
If they don’t want you working for co-star credit, they either won’t submit you for co-star roles, or (hopefully), they will be very clear on the expectations when submitting you (i.e. they will only come in for this role if it’s bumped up properly to a guest star).
Sometimes we can do this! But it needs to be made perfectly clear (on BOTH sides) what the expectations are BEFORE an offer comes in.
Is there 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 that can be done for a credit bump?
Yes.
Sometimes casting offices will be OK with you crediting yourself as a guest star on your 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦 if you or your rep feel it’s an important step.
There is a respectful way to do this.
Please don’t start listing your one-line co-star roles as guest stars.
𝙱𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚜𝚔.
Booking a role that is “on the cusp” of a guest star or one that has a sizable amount of scenes/dialogue/or emotional requirement, is a viable favor to ASK about listing a credit bump on your resume alone.
Talk to your reps—have your reps talk to us. We’re usually happy to give you our thoughts or blessing on the matter.
#themoreyouknow #thecastingdirectorscut #mondaymythdebunkers #actorlife
Related reading: What Is a Guest Star Role? Guest Star vs. Co-Star in TV, What Is a Day Player? Day Player vs. Co-Star and What Is a Featured Role? Does It Pay More?.
Want help applying this to your own career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Ramani or see our packages.