SAG-AFTRA adds a pitch agreement for indie game demos
A new union agreement lets small developers hire SAG-AFTRA performers for demos and vertical slices made to raise funding, with negotiable pitch fees.
SAG-AFTRA has introduced a Pre-Funding Pitch Interactive Media Agreement that lets small game developers hire union voice and motion performers for demos, trailers and vertical slices shown to investors, Voice Over Herald reported on November 7, 2026. The union announced it on November 5.
Per the report, it applies to projects with no more than 30% of their initial production funding secured. The pitch fee is negotiated between performer and producer with no minimum, though health and retirement contributions are still owed. Once funding passes 30% of the planned budget, or if a performer's pitch material is used in the finished game, the union's independent interactive terms apply, and earlier pay can be credited against scale.
Why it matters: small teams pitching a game have often had to choose between non-union talent and costs they could not cover before funding. This gives them a middle path.
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