They do allow exceptions. If they stuck to this rule to the letter, David Strathairn would be the ONLY member of his ensemble and none of the Gosford Park cast members would be eligible.OscarGuy wrote:The SAG recognizes only actors whom the DIRECTORS put into the title credits en solo. This issue comes up every year and it's probably not the smartest nor most fair way to do things, but that's how they do it. You have to be listed solo in the opening credits, not paired with another individual. I don't remember the credits on this one and I couldn't have told you who Tess Harper even played in the movie, so it could still be wrong, but SAG would be broke if it gave a trophy to everyone with a speaking part in a film.
The rules also allow for the director/producer of the film to file for exemptions on a case-to-case basis. One such success story is Creed Bratton for The Office. He wasn't officially part of the ensemble when it won last year because he is credited as "Guest Starring" in the closing credits but the producers vigorously requested that he be given a trophy too so he got one.
I'll also say this rule is painfully unfair. Young no-name kid actors or unknown character actors with significant featured roles aren't given an official nomination/trophy while big-named stars with little more than glorified cameo appearances do.