Question 1

CoEd or Corporate Educational/Industrial programs

Accepted Answer

This is the most common type of project we convert at soundBOX. CoEd contracts are the easiest and quickest to convert.

These are generally productions for non-broadcast use which include: corporate training videos, e-learning, instructional/industrial videos or educational apps. The platforms or ‘usage’ for these types of projects can be corporate/company websites, schools, stores, conferences, non-broadcast award events or new media platforms.

There are two types of CoEd projects – CAT I or CAT II.  
Category I programs are shown on a more restricted, in-house basis only and can have a usage period of up to 10 years. 
Category II programs are intended for unrestricted exhibition to the general public and have a usage period limited to 3 years.

The new scale rates as of December 15, 2026:
 
CAT I is $550 for the 1st hour of recording and $161 for each add’l half hour
CAT II is $614 for the 1st hour of recording and $161 for each add’l half hour
 
There is also a ½ hour rate for a project that is less than three minutes upon completion. 
 
The new scale rates as of December 15, 2026:
 
CAT I is $329 for the half hour
CAT II is $363 for the half hour

Anything more than a half hour defaults to the hourly rate described previously.

We can convert a CoEd project the week of your session and even the days following your session. This is the ONLY contract we can convert if your session has already occurred.

Question 2

Interactive – Video Games

Accepted Answer

Are you casting or involved in a game that could go union? As a reminder, the entire cast or at least those working in the US, will have to go union. We are not able to convert a project for only one member of the ensemble cast.
 
In addition, to make a project union there must be at least one union member attached to the project.

We work with production companies both large and small to navigate the union requirements for their video game projects.

See agreement options below and preliminary questions required for each to submit for union clearance.

• Tiered Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement (TBA) – for indie game devs and low budget projects. There are various tiers and rates depending on the game’s overall budget.

• Independent Interactive Localization Agreement (I-ILA) – for finished projects originally scripted and released in a Foreign language being dubbed into the English language.

• 2025-2028 Interactive Media Agreement (IMA) – The IMA is now place with updated provisions, AI protections and rates. This new agreement is the result of the video game strike that took place from July 26, 2024 to July 9th, 2025.

Question 3

Dubbing

Accepted Answer

Are you part of a series or feature film being dubbed into English? There are two types of Dubbing Agreements under SAG-AFTRA – The Modified Dubbing Agreement and the Non-Dramatic Dubbing Agreement. Each agreement will fall under one of two categories depending on exhibition. You can find out more info here.(https://www.sagaftra.org/production-center/contract/895/getting-started)
 
Rates begin at $103 per hour with a two-hour minimum and include residuals or a residual buyout depending on which Category your project is assigned. 
 
The Dubbing Agreement is an easy project to convert as long as production and the entire ensemble are on board making the project union.

Question 4

Podcasts

Accepted Answer

Independent Podcast Agreement

SAG-AFTRA has new podcast contracts in place to cover your podcast at any budget level plus a dedicated podcast department to help you every step of the way. Most rates are fully negotiable and soundBOX LLC can help you get your project submitted and covered by SAG-AFTRA!

Check out more facts here about the new podcast contracts from SAG-AFTRA plus review the list of preliminary questions required to get your project submitted to the union. 
Podcast FAQs_May 2023_v5 (https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/sa_documents/Podcast%20FAQs_May%202023_v5.pdf)

Question 5

New Media – lots of things!

Accepted Answer

NEW MEDIA - The New Media Agreement covers original and derivative entertainment productions made for initial release on new media platforms. This includes all online and mobile platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo and TikTok.

A NM project can come in many different forms. It can be a short live-action film produced for YouTube, it can be an animated pilot that you plan to share privately with producers in the hopes it gets picked up by a studio, it can be you as the voice of an app – there are many different flavors of New Media and many different types of contracts under the New Media agreement. Ask us! We’ll tell you where your project may fall among these contracts.

Please review these questions for your NM project:

Question 6

Commercials Audio-Only – radio spots/Pandora

Accepted Answer

COMMERCIALS - We can convert the Commercials Audio-Only Contract. This means a commercial project with NO PICTURE for use on radio or audio-only platforms.

We are NOT signed to the Commercials Contract and are NOT authorized to convert Broadcast/New Media Commercial Content that includes a video element. We’re sorry we can’t help you here. This includes regional/national political spots, YouTube or social media commercials – anything that is selling a product or service.

The best method to convert these types of projects is to have your client (or YOU) contact the Commercials Department at SAG-AFTRA to go through the process of applying for an OPO or One Production Only authorization. In short, your client/ad agency/production company becomes the signatory for the project. All companies can do up to three OPO’s before being required to become a Union house.

Question 7

Audiobooks

Accepted Answer

We’ve partnered with Noah Levine at Skywire Paymaster for ALL Audiobook conversion projects. He’s amazing and has this process dialed in perfectly. Please reach out to Noah via his website at https://skywirepaymaster.com/.(https://skywirepaymaster.com/)

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Talent Supporting Talent

Specializing in Voice Over Signatory Services

CONVERTING WORK

WHERE TO BEGIN

soundBOX is signed and authorized with SAG-AFTRA
to the following contracts

SAMPLE BREAKDOWN

FILING AS AN INDIVIDUAL/W-2 EMPLOYEE

FILING AS CORPORATION/LOAN-OUT

READY TO GET STARTED?

soundBOX is not affiliated or endorsed by SAG-AFTRA

All information provided will remain confidential

Please fill out our form below so that we can best assist you with running your job union.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions

- Tim, Bethanie, Toni

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