SAG-AFTRA has received reports that there may be some financial/accounting irregularities with respect to the above-referenced agency’s payment obligations to SAG-AFTRA members pursuant to the Union’s franchise requirements. As a precaution, we are reaching out to all members listed as clients, or former clients, of the agency in our database.
SAG-AFTRA advises you at this time to review your own financial records regarding any SAG-AFTRA covered work that you have completed through this agency. Should you discover any abnormalities in how payments were made to you for SAG-AFTRA-covered work, please notify the union’s Professional Representatives Department by the close of business on Friday, March 29. The union will do its best to assist you– please see the procedure below to expedite the process of filing an agency claim with the Union.
If, however, you fail to discover any irregularities in your agency’s payment obligations to you, SAG-AFTRA reminds you of your continuing obligation to promptly pay your agent [within ten (10) days of receipt] its rightful commission, as it becomes due. If you are confused about your obligations hereunder (or indeed, your agent’s obligations to you), please do not hesitate to contact our office for assistance.
Regarding any existing check authorizations: Please note: you have the right to revoke any and all check authorizations currently on file for this agency, if you wish to do so. For TV/Theatrical work, please contact residual.trust@sagaftra.org or call (855) 724-2387 for this purpose. For Commercial work, please note you also have the right to revoke any and all check authorizations on file by directly contacting the applicable paymaster and requesting this revocation. Again, please note that the potential revocation of any pre-existing check authorizations does not negate your continuing obligation to promptly pay your agent commissions if and when such sums are owed.
This notice is in regards to all work covered by SAG-AFTRA’s jurisdiction only.
By copy of this letter, we are also placing KMR on notice and reminding it of its obligations that any and all talent payment checks now in its possession, or which may hereafter be received by it in connection with SAG-AFTRA represented performers, are to be held in trust for the benefit of the performer on whose behalf the check is issued, in accordance with SAG-AFTRA Agency Regulations, and applicable state law. KMR remains a fiduciary under the law and under the SAG-AFTRA agency regulations.
Please do not hesitate to contact the SAG-AFTRA Professional Representatives Department at agency@sagaftra.org or (323) 549-6745 if you have any outstanding questions. Thank you.
Procedure for Filing A Claim Against Your Agency For Undistributed Funds
In order to start a claim against this agency, please provide the following information to SAG-AFTRA in your initial written communications with the union:
Your name, phone number, and SAG-AFTRA IDN.
The total amount of the claim (calculated for commercials by finding 10% of the gross amount of the outstanding checks (for the agency's commission) and subtracting it from the net (after tax) amount of the outstanding checks.
Any supporting documentation from the agency regarding the dispute (such as emails, text messages, etc.).
Copies of the outstanding checks and their accompanying stubs (or a talent payment report with the same information, which verifies the Union status of the project and gross and net amounts of each payment). This can be obtained by contacting the payroll company which processed the job.
Proof that the agency received and cashed/deposited the checks (copies of the front and back of each check bearing the agency's endorsement, which can also be obtained by contacting the payroll company which handled the job).
Any other relevant information.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns in the meantime.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.