Monday, November 17, 2008

Current state of Screen Actors Guild members' relationship with their agents

In April 2002, the Association of Talent Agents and the National Association of Talent Representatives (collectively, ATA) chose to terminate their decades-long relationship with Screen Actors Guild. Accordingly, these agencies informed SAG they no longer wished to be franchised by SAG.

This unfortunate decision potentially jeopardized SAG members’ relationships with these agents (and with their Guild), since SAG rules and regulations clearly dictate that any member who chooses to engage the services of an agent is required to choose from an authorized pool of franchised agents, i.e., those that continue to be regulated by the Guild. However, SAG’s National Board, wishing to acknowledge the longstanding relationships Guild members have had with their ATA agents, unanimously adopted a motion in 2002 to temporarily suspend enforcement of these membership rules, but only with respect to ATA agents.

As it currently stands, Guild members may be represented either by SAG-franchised agents (where SAG’s agency protections continue to apply) or by ATA agents (where SAG’s agency protections no longer apply). Fortunately, the SAG agency franchise continues to grow and thrive, and protects thousands of members who have chosen to sign with SAG franchised agencies.

Members who choose to be represented by ATA agencies should note that since these agencies no longer are franchised by SAG, they have no legal obligation to abide by SAG agency regulations, and many of them have chosen not to do so. SAG cannot currently enforce its agency rules against these agencies. Although members temporarily are permitted to be represented by these formerly franchised agents, they are advised not to sign the individual agency representation agreements they are presented, (i.e., general service agreements, or GSAs) without first consulting with SAG. Almost without exception, GSAs strip away most of the hard-fought protections negotiated by SAG on behalf of its performers over the years.

How Much Do Talent Agents Make?

Agents get 10% commission from your income after you work. Now figure if Bruce Willis' agent books him on a job, and Bruce makes $25,000,000 per film, then the agent gets TEN PERCENT after taxes. That would be roughly $1,700,000 for booking Bruce Willis on that job.

But of the hundreds and hundreds of Agents and Sub-Agents in the business, only a tiny fraction of agents make over a million bucks a year. Most agents make less than $30,000 a year, and many don't even make a living off of it, they have other means of finances that allow them to be agents.

There is a HUGE turnover of agents who are starting out within the first two years of becoming an agent because it is extremely hard to become a successful professional Theatrical and/or Commercial Talent Agent. The "average" annual income of a Talent Agent (including these sub-agents, associate-agents, etc.) is roughly $25,000 per year.

What is Commissionable by Your Agent?

Independent Agents

If your agents are Independent (i.e., not affiliated with either ATA and/or NATR), and therefore still franchised by SAG, then these agents (as well as the SAG members they represent) continue to be protected by and bound to the terms and conditions of Rule 16(g). Hundreds of SAG franchised agents across the country have maintained their on-going relationship with SAG, and continue to loyally serve SAG’s members pursuant to the requirements of Rule 16(g). Any standard SAG agency contract you sign with an Independent Agency may be filed with, and processed by, the Guild.

How Film and Television Shows Are Cast

The Film and Television Studios give the "green light" for movies and TV shows to be produced.

Then the production companies hire casting directors, who in turn send out "breakdowns" of the characters being cast.

These "breakdowns" actually are sent out by a service called "Breakdown Services" and are only available to licensed Talent Agencies.

Then the agents at these agencies submit photos, resumes, and sometimes "demo-reels" to the casting directors.

Then the casting directors call in the actors that fit the roles they are casting, usually many many actors are called in.

Then they narrow it down to the best actors who came in and "call back" these actors to read again for the director, sometimes the writer, producer, etc.. Then they narrow it down further, and sometimes there are 3 - 4 "call backs" before an actor is finally hired.

Do I Need An Agent To Be Cast?

Although it is possible to be cast on a show or film with out having an agent, it is very difficult. This usually only happens with smaller roles, and of course with extras. The studios usually only deal with reputable licensed talent agencies when casting acting roles.

In addition, agents are the only ones who receive the "breakdowns" of what roles are being cast at a given time. And in most instances, a studio or production company will not negotiate a contract directly with talent.

I have personally landed several acting roles by randomly sending in my photo and resume to casting directors when I did not have an agent, but it is not common to land roles in this manner.

However, I do recommend sending in to casting directors randomly because you never know if they will be looking for your exact type when they receive your photo and resume.

Important Safety Information

Do NOT incude a home address when sending out your photo and resume. I always recommend using a PO BOX.

Also, NEVER meet someone outside of a professional environment such as a studio, agents, or casting office. Do NOT meet someone at a restaurant, private residence, etc. You should ALWAYS let someone else know EXACTLY where you are going, WHO you are meeting, and WHEN you are going there.

And a parent or guardian must ALWAYS accompany minors. A parent or guardian should NEVER be out of eyesight of the minor, whether it be at auditions or on set.

Talent Agents

Current state of Screen Actors Guild members' relationship with their agents

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