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Quick answer: A deal memo is a short document that puts the key terms of an acting job in writing: your pay, your work dates, the role, your billing and any special conditions. It usually comes once you’ve been offered the part, before the full contract (often called the long form) is ready. Read it carefully, because depending on its wording, signing it can commit you even before that contract arrives.
It’s one of the terms that confuses new actors the most, because it shows up at an exciting moment: right after an offer, or even before the final decision. The classic question is “If they sent me a deal memo, did I book it?” Most of the time, a deal memo means you’ve been offered the job. But some agreements are signed before anyone has been chosen, and it pays to know the difference.
As the name suggests, it’s a memo of the deal: a quick summary that the production company and you (or your agent) sign so that both sides are clear on the terms and there are no surprises later.
What does a deal memo usually include?
The content changes from one production to another, but these are the most common points:
- Pay: your day rate, weekly rate or flat fee, plus overtime. If the job is union, it should say which contract applies.
- Dates: your work days, or the number of days or weeks guaranteed, so you can confirm you’re available.
- Role: the character and the project you’re being hired for.
- Location: the city or the location, which matters if you’ll be shooting out of town, plus travel and lodging if they apply.
- Billing: how and where your name appears in the credits.
- Look changes: whether the project needs you to change your appearance, like a haircut or a new hair color.
- Exclusivity and usage: in commercials, whether you’ll be held exclusive to a brand and where and for how long the ad can run.
- Paperwork for minors: if you’re under 18, the permits and documents the production needs.
In commercials, it also helps to understand how session fees, usage and exclusivity are paid. We explain it in how to get commercial auditions.
Avails, holds and test deals: when nothing is final yet
Some steps before a booking can look like a deal but aren’t, and others commit you more than you might think:
- Avail or first refusal: common in commercials. The casting director checks that you’re free on the shoot dates and asks you to get in touch before you accept another job on those days. According to SAG-AFTRA, it is not a booking, and the producer owes you nothing if they don’t use you.
- Hold: under SAG-AFTRA’s commercials rules, being put on hold means the producer has engaged you, and a cancellation fee is due if they cancel.
- Test deal: in TV pilots, actors up for series regular roles negotiate and sign their deal before testing for the studio and the network, so the terms are already set if they’re chosen. Signing it doesn’t mean you got the part: the other actors testing for the same role have signed one too.
If you’re ever unsure where you stand, SAG-AFTRA’s advice is simple: you or your agent should ask the casting director, “Is this a booking?”
What if you sign and then can’t do the job?
What you signed is a commitment: once you’re confirmed, you’re expected to honor it. Backing out without a serious reason can cause problems with the production and hurt your reputation, which carries a lot of weight in this business.
The specific consequences depend on what the document says and on the rules where you work. If something isn’t clear, ask before you sign: your agent, an entertainment lawyer or your union can help.
Important: always read a deal memo carefully before signing it. If there’s a condition you can’t meet (dates, a look change, exclusivity), raise it before you sign, never after.
What’s the difference between a deal memo and the final contract?
The deal memo locks in the main terms quickly, before the final paperwork is ready. The long-form contract is the complete document, with all the fine print, and it details the job.
They’re two different documents with different jobs. If the final contract says something different from what you agreed in the deal memo, ask about it and have it clarified or corrected before you sign. And once everything is signed, make sure you get a copy signed by both sides.
How to tell if a deal memo is legit
A legitimate deal memo names the production company and the project, and you can read it calmly, take it home and run it by someone. Be wary if they rush you to sign on the spot, if it has blank spaces or if it asks you to pay for anything: those are classic signs of a fake casting call.
If you’re a minor, a parent or guardian reads and signs for you. Depending on the state, you may also need a work permit and a blocked trust account: in California, for example, 15 percent of a minor’s gross earnings must go into a Coogan account. Our guide to auditions for kids and teens has more on permits and the family’s role.
Tip: If a deal memo includes terms you don’t understand or that worry you, take your time. You can ask for a day to read it calmly or check with someone you trust. A serious production will always respect that.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deal memo in acting?
It’s a short document that puts the basic terms of an acting job in writing (pay, dates, role and billing) before the full contract is ready. It usually comes after an offer, and depending on its wording, it can be binding as soon as you sign it.
Does signing a deal memo mean I booked the role?
In most cases, yes: a deal memo usually follows an offer. The big exception is the test deal for a TV pilot, which is signed before the final decision, while other actors are up for the same role. And in commercials, an avail or first refusal is not a booking at all. When in doubt, ask: “Is this a booking?”
What should I check before signing a deal memo?
Check the work dates, to make sure you’re available; your pay and which union contract applies, if any; whether they’re asking for a look change; any exclusivity with competing brands; your billing; and, if you’re under 18, which paperwork you need. If something isn’t clear, ask them to explain it before you sign.
What happens if I sign a deal memo and then can’t do the job?
Once you’re confirmed, what you signed is a commitment and you’re expected to honor it. Backing out without a good reason can cause problems with the production and, above all, hurt your professional reputation. If you see a conflict coming, let them know as soon as possible and talk to someone who knows the rules where you work.
Can they charge me to sign a deal memo?
Be very careful. On a legitimate job, the production pays for the casting process, so a deal memo that asks you to pay a registration fee, buy photos or sign up for a class is a red flag. Before signing anything like that, check that the production company exists and talk to someone you trust.
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