Shadow C. LaValley shares how he became SAG-eligible through his work on Escape at Dannemora. He drove hours to audition for the production, was cast by Ben Stiller as a featured extra, and got the chance to see a major set from the inside.
There was one snag: Shadow had been told he’d be paid at the union rate, but when he arrived, he was handed a non-union voucher. He showed the team the email confirming the agreement, they reviewed it, and his pay was corrected. That experience became part of his path toward SAG eligibility.
It’s a behind-the-scenes story about persistence, learning how the process works, and advocating for yourself when the details don’t line up. Have you ever had to speak up to get an agreement honored?
#ChrisDunham #MikeMichaels #RLS8GUY #SAGEligible #SAGAFTRA #ActorJourney #EscapeAtDannemora #ActingCareer #BehindTheScenes #ChrisAndMikeShow
SAG eligibility, Shadow C. LaValley, Escape at Dannemora, featured extra, acting career, union voucher, union pay, actor journey, Ben Stiller, behind the scenes
