Under-five

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TV or film actor whose character has fewer than five lines of dialogue

title: "Under-five" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["soap-opera-terminology", "acting"] description: "TV or film actor whose character has fewer than five lines of dialogue" topic_path: "general/soap-opera-terminology" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under-five" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary TV or film actor whose character has fewer than five lines of dialogue ::

An under-five, also known as an under-5 or a U/5, is a television or film actor whose character has fewer than five lines of dialogue. The term is used in SAG-AFTRA contracts and has been used when referring to performers in a daytime soap opera.

SAG-AFTRA rules

An under-five role falls between an extra (a nonspeaking role) and a day player (a full part). Per SAG-AFTRA, for an under-five the total number of words in the five lines or less must be below 50. Exceeding this reclassifies the role as a full part, which constitutes a substantial rise in pay. An extra may be upgraded to under-five status if they interact with principals or are given direction in a way that furthers the plot.

Prior to the 2012 merger of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), actors performing as under-fives as members of AFTRA became eligible for SAG membership after one year. Post merger, actors performing with an under-five contract operate as members of the consolidated union.

Through November 16, 2016, the minimum pay rate for an under-five actor on a soap opera is $451 for a one-hour show, and $369 for a -hour show. By comparison, the minimum pay rate for a principal on a soap opera is $1,038 for a one-hour show, and $778 for a -hour show. The pay rate for a background actor on a soap opera is $150 for a 1-hour show, and $115 for a -hour show.

Under-five work

An under-five role can be a stepping stone to bigger roles. However, with the general decline of American soap operas, the number of under-fives, extras, and even day players employed has declined, due to reductions of production budgets.

References

References

  1. Cummings, Betsy. (July 25, 2004). "HOME FRONT; Bit Parts on Screen, and a Salary to Match". [[The New York Times]].
  2. Allen, Robert Clyde. (April 30, 1985). "Speaking of Soap Operas". UNC Press Books.
  3. (May 19, 2009). "Resume Billing Double 19 Productions". Double 19 Productions.
  4. Lenhart, Jennifer. "''As The World Turns'' Interview: Patrick Stephenson". [[Soap Opera Digest]].
  5. Ciaccia, Maria. (January 30, 2009). "On the Scene at ''General Hospital''". Generalhospital.about.com.
  6. (December 1, 2007). "When An Actor Should Join A Union". Actorschecklist.com.
  7. "SAG-AFTRA Network TV Code". SAG-AFTRA.
  8. Kanner, Bernice. (August 16, 1993). "SOAP STAR FOR A DAY". [[New York (magazine).

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