Welcome to the ask Mark Pirro page. We should change this to the SAG financial core page, since it seems that lately 80% of all questions are relating to union issues. Feel free to leave any question or comment you like, even if it's NOT about going SAG financial core ---------- Mark Pirro himself will respond. ---------- Or, if you'd rather not leave a message right now, just click here to go back to our Home Page. Messages are listed from the newest to the oldest. After you've left your message, check back soon. Mark usually replies within 24 hours.. There are now 333 messages in our guestbook. <<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 34 >>> Viewing messages 71 to 80. Your name (required) Your message (required) Where in the world? Mary_San Hi, Mark, I am currently seriously considering becoming F-Core, and I still have one question left to be answered. I appreciate your input in advance. *** When you become F-Core, you still pay the dues, but you don't get the SAG card mailed to you? I have not been asked to show my card in the past, except one time I saw a breakdown (internet) the actors need to state the color of current SAG card, to verify you're a paid-up SAG member. Are there any possible problems on not having a CARD when you audition or work? **** --------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: You pay reduced dues and must surrender your SAG card (you can always find out what the current color of the card is if you find a need to). Rarely, if ever, will you be asked to produce a SAG card for a job. If you are, it would most likely be by an amateur producer who is making his first SAG film and is overly zealous. 30 April 2009 - Los Angeles shawn would like to buy bufords beach bunnies. How? -------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: Contact us at pirromount@hotmail.com and we'll see what we can do for you. 24 April 2009 - usa Rolando I was watching Behind the God Complex online and noted you were using a consumer camcorder to shoot. What camera is it? Does this pass television broadcast standards? Are you shooting a filmlook 24fps if the camera is capable? --------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: I used a Canon HV20 which shoots HDV at 24fps. Picture looks great, perfectly within broadcast standards and very inexpensive. 19 April 2009 - Arizona, USA Martie Ashworth I am in need of work and wonder about going fi-core. If I do this, can I ever go back to being just a sag member? -------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: I don't know why you would ever want to, but my understanding is that you can be re-admitted into SAG if you pay some form of ransom to them in the form of penalties and fines. Hardly worth it, since it doesn't increase your chances for more jobs. 20 March 2009 - Southern California Steve Judge Mark, You're fantastic for answering all of these questions. I am in preproduction planning on a pico-budget project and have a question related to talent. I read on your site that God Complex took a year to shoot. My project may have a similar extended production schedule. One of my concerns is the availability of actors over such a long time; paid or otherwise. You know people die, move, get real jobs, etc. Any advice for mitigating this risk? Thanks in advance. When we win an Oscar I'll say "Mark Pirro taught me everything I know" ------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: Actually, it took The God Complex two years to shoot - over 40 speaking roles and only two flakes. I think the best bit of advice I can give you is to make sure your lead actors are motivated and really into the project. Let them know that it will take a long time, but assure them that you will always accommodate their schedules and will give them footage of their performances as soon as possible. If the lead actors are friends of yours, you have a better chance of success. Always have a plan B to prepare for an actor flaking (there's always at least one per picture). Best of luck. 1 March 2009 - Tampa FL; Dallas TX Anna B. I am considering going SAG fi core. What do i put on my resume? I kind of feel a little vague.and am scared to put fi-core on it. How many people would you say are going this route? Will i have a hard time getting big union jobs if i go fi-core? To be honest, i am a little scared. Are there name actors who have done this? Do you know of people that have advanced their careers to the next level by switching to fi-core? Thanks for your help and this message board! Just want to make sure i find out all the facts. ------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: Don't be scared. It is your legal right to go financial core. It is supported by the supreme court. It's up to you if you put fi-core on your resume or not. It really doesn't matter. Most filmmakers don't care, and the ones who DO care are probably not worth worrying about. I'm a filmmaker and I certainly don't care. Personally, I'll use people whether they're fi-core or not (in fact, many actors I use are still SAG). It's doubtful that going fi-core will have any negative impact on your getting union work (unless the filmmaker is a complete dick). The biggest names I know that went fi-core are Jon Voight, Wilford Brimley and Charlton Heston. George Clooney is financial core, but I believe as a writer. There's no reason for anyone in any profession to talk about it because it's not pertinent to them doing their job. It's like being an atheist. If asked, you'll probably find that most intelligent people you know are, but they have no reason to broadcast it. Switching to fi-core is not a guarantee to advancing ones career (just like leaving your SAG status alone also doesn't guarantee it). All being fi-core does is advance your opportunities because you've now increased the number of movies you can try out for, so it puts the odds more in your favor of getting work. 26 February 2009 - LA Lisamarie Jones I need help, my son is 12 and he is in SAG. He has been not getting even an audition or bookings. Since he joined Can my son at his age join the SAG Core???? --------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: There are no age restrictions on going financial core. 26 February 2009 - New York, NY Anthony Ferreri I just wanted to drop you a quick note and tell you that I LOVE Nudist Colony of the Dead. It's one of my new favorites and I can't help talking about it to people I know. ---------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: Thank you. I hope you have the 2007 remastered version. The original 1990 release looks like crap. 25 February 2009 - Hollyweird jim lavine Thanks Mark. In regard to your criticism I couldn't help ZOOMING in on those big melons! I will try to control myself in the future. My mentor was Russ Meyer. -Jim -------------------------------------- MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: Point taken. 24 February 2009 - San Francisco hippie_nerd Hey Mark, I'm non-union right now but thinking about going fi core once I'm eligible for AFTRA and SAG, but this decision is mostly because I hate politics and don't want to be funding the factions with in the unions when all they seem to be doing is bicker all day and royally screw up negotiations with AMPTP. My main concern with Fi Core though is its long term effects: if eventually there are more FiCore members than there are actually members, won't that hurt actors in the end? The lack of unity might allow AMPTP to pay actors in peanuts and force us to work in unworkable conditions: can this be prevented even if the majority is Fi Core? ------------------------------------ MARK PIRRO'S RESPONSE: SAG is an outdated system, created in 1933. SAG came at a time when studios 'owned' the actors. They were under contract, and couldn't pick and choose the projects they did. They were bought, sold, traded and leased to studios like cattle. Today, actors are more in control. Many have their own production companies and call the shots. Anyway, the reality is that many independent films' wages ARE low, if any. But that's not what its all about, is it? As an actor, you need to get footage, even if you're acting for free. Hopefully, the footage will help you get future jobs and that's how it works. The most valuable thing an actor can get from an independent filmmaker is the footage he's in. SAG's days are numbered and they know it. That's why they discourage people from going financial core. Don't be sucked in by propaganda. Work as much as you can, whether it pays or not. If you are true to your craft, you will get the opportunities and hopefully work for indy filmmakers who will treat you right. Yes, there are abusive filmmakers out there, but you don't need a union to battle them. If the conditions are unworkable, walk off the set. If the wages are minimal, you should know that going in. My current film has NO wages for cast and crew. We had over 40 speaking roles and not ONE complaint. The people that work on my films do it because they want to, and for the experience. I don't deceive them, I don't overwork them (my typical shooting day is less than four hours), and I certainly don't abuse them. When a project is done, I make sure they get footage of themselves if they ask for it. Bottom line: You want to be in a union that still has teeth, become a teamster. You want to work as an actor, go fi-core and WORK WORK WORK. 23 February 2009 - La La Land <<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 34 >>>