Is it bad to sign with a non SAG agency?

Question

I live in Arizona. My game plan is to be in LA by summer 2008. While in Arizona, I want to sign with an agency, one in particular actually. The dilemma is that she is not SAG franchised. I really feel comfortable with this Agent...some larger agencies will not work as hard for you b/c they're such a large agency but she's very persistent and I feel comfortable with her...
I don't have much recent experience. I was enrolled in SAG between 18mo and 4years of age. My goal this year is to take a few acting classes, build my resume with this agent and sign with a SAG franchised agency in LA...
Is it truly that bad to no sign with a SAG franchised agent right now, considering my circumstances??? Or should I go for SAG locally first as opposed to later..????
Thanks!

Answer 1

So long as there is a clause you can get out of the contract if you go SAG you are OK or if there is the SAG rull 9 or 11, that says if they don't get you any work in 90 days you can terminate the contract.

If you can't terminate the contract you have problems once you are SAG.

You can't work with a SAG agent unless you are generally SAG.

Just get it clear in writing that this agent has 15 days to start to apply for a SAG franchise or you must terminate. And if the Agent can't get a SAG franchise then you must terminate.

Answer 2

I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild Equal Employment Opportunities Committee.

It is ok to sign with a non-franchised agency, as long as the GSA (General Service Agreement) is not unfair. If you are a member of SAG, please send or fax a copy to the Arizona SAG Branch with a cover letter and ATTN: Agency Contracts Dept. They will let you know if the GSA is fair and safe for you to sign.

Screen Actors Guild
Arizona
3131 E. Camelback Road, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
Tel. [phone] (toll free)



SAG Member Advisory on Talent Agents

The members of Screen Actors Guild have stated clearly that the tentative agreement reached with ATA and NATR is unacceptable. Therefore the new Agency Franchise Agreement will not take effect.

In order that performers may continue in the pursuit of their careers with a minimum of disruption, the National Board of SAG unanimously adopted a motion calling for continued exploration of a variety of options to ensure protection for performers and, during this period, suspension of the member rule requiring that members deal only with franchised agents.

It is important to note that:

There are some talent agencies that are no longer franchised by Screen Actors Guild. This means that those agents have no legal obligation to abide by the requirements of Rule 16(g), the SAG Agency Franchise Agreement, and that SAG cannot enforce the Agency Franchise Agreement against those agents. The Guild’s leadership will immediately engage in an active campaign to persuade agents to re-sign the

Agency Franchise Agreement.

Although members are permitted during this interim period to be represented by a non-franchised talent agent, members are advised not to sign individual representation agreements if the terms provide less protection than Rule 16(g), the SAG Agency Franchise Agreement. Examples of agreements which provide less protection are those with: a term longer than 3 years, a commission rate of greater than 10% and payment of commission on compensation including penalties, residuals, per diem, etc.


Go to this site, it is the Screen Actors Guild website, and anyone can access the National Agent Database. This is a list of Agents and contact information, both SAG franchised, and non SAG franchised, in all states:


http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application?origin=page1.jsp&event=bea.portal.framework.internal.refresh&pageid=AgentInformation

Answer 3

Why is she so persistent? I'd say proceed with caution. Read your contract thoroughly and FYI, here's a list of SAG agents in AZ:

Black Agency, Robert
4032 N. MILLER ROAD, NO. 104, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251
Tel: [phone]
Type: FS

Dani's Agency
ONE EAST CAMELBACK ROAD, SUITE 550, PHOENIX, AZ 85012
Tel: [phone]
Type:

Fosi's Talent Agency
2777 N CAMPBELL AVENUE, #209, TUCSON, AZ 85719
Tel: [phone]
Type:

Leighton Agency, Inc
10049 EAST DYNAMITE BLVD SUITE #D125, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85262
Tel: [phone]
Type:

S.I.M. Model/Talent Agency
4554 E INVERNESS AVE STE 134, MESA, AZ 85206
Tel: [phone]
Type: FS

Signature Models & Talent
2600 N. 44TH ST., SUITE #209, PHOENIX, AZ 85008-1521
Tel: [phone]
Type:

Good luck!

Answer 4

When is your debut!!!?