Low Budget Guideline

The Low Budget Guideline is meant for first time and emerging producers working with emerging and diverse performers. Productions under these guidelines are for theatrical or festival use.

Preliminary Note

Where the terms of the Low Budget Agreement are silent, the terms of the current Independent Production Agreement apply.

Step One

Please familiarize yourself with the Low Budget Guideline in full before proceeding to step two.

Step Two

This checklist outlines all the documents required to make a full paperwork submission to ACTRA Toronto. Please note the timelines within this checklist.

Step Three

Blank templates to complete some of the checklist items can be found here:

  1. Voluntary Recognition Agreement (What’s this? It’s the document where you agree to the terms of the IPA)
  2. Security Agreement (What’s this? It’s a document, required before you start production, that protects the payment due to performers.)
  3. Production Form

Need assistance in completing these forms?

Please review the how-to documents below:

Here is a copy of the Low Budget Productions Rate Chart for reference.

Paperwork Submission Portal

Ready to submit your full paperwork package? Please follow the instructions below.

Low Budget Feature/Short Application Form

General Information

MM slash DD slash YYYY

To allow sufficient time for your paperwork to be reviewed for approvals per the submission timelines on the checklists page, you may not select a shooting date less than three weeks from the application submission date.

Nudity, Stunts, Minors

Does your script contain nudity, partial nudity, scenes of an intimate nature? (yes/no radio button)
Does your script contain stunts?
Does your script contain minors?

Production Form Upload

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, xls, xlsx, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, xls, xlsx, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, xls, xlsx, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, xls, xlsx, Max. file size: 20 MB.

Submit Application

By clicking submit, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information I have provided is true, accurate, and made in good faith.

Permit Access Fund

LBG productions may be eligible for the Permit Access Fund. This Fund is intended to help reduce barriers and create a pathway for performers from historically underrepresented communities (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Persons with Disabilities/Disabled Persons) to work towards gaining access and full membership into the union. Producers can apply to the fund to cover 50 per cent of a Principal Performer or Actor’s work permit fee for low-budget productions under ACTRA Toronto’s Low Budget Guideline. Click here to learn more.