Does your acting agent have to be a real agent or can it be someone you know, for example?

Question

I was just wondering... Because I've seen actors whose agents are for example their dad or something.

Answer 1

I am sure it is possible if you are established as an actor or actress. Probably more so if they are incorporated, but this is just a guess on my part.

I see parents more as managers though.

Answer 2

The agent must be franchised and have his or her own Talent Agency, to legally represent actors.

There are professional contracts that must be signed between the actor and the Talent Agent.

Report the person to the Unions, because only a SAG/AFTRA franchised agent can represent actors.

Answer 3

I believe you are thinking about a manager. That's usually the position give family members and friends. The manager usually handles day to day business and schedule type issues, while an agent actually finds you work and negotiates contracts. Although someone could possibly do both, most actors have both and agent and a manager.

Answer 4

The Screen Actors Guild does not currently have an agreement with The Association of Talent Agents. So there are non-SAG franchised talent agents that can represent you.
However, they must be licensed with your state as a Talent Agent. As an example CESD is a big legit agency who represents Miley Cyrus. They are a non-SAG franchised agency. You can search the SAG website on this direct link for both SAG-franchised and non SAG-franchised agencies in every state:

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



This excerpt is from the Screen Actors Guild website:

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.

Answer 5

Sure, your agent can be someone you know as long as the person knows how to deal with people you will be working for or with. The person must be able to portray some professional skills.

Answer 6

Yes. Better someone that loves you than someone who is unknown to you.