Dear Member,
SAG-AFTRA is writing to inform you about a change in the agency representational landscape which may affect you. The union has recently learned that an agency with which you may be affiliated, Exclusive Artists Agency, has joined the Association of Talent Agents (“ATA”). In short, this agency is now no longer franchised under legacy SAG’s agency regulations [16(g)], and remains franchised only under legacy AFTRA’s agency regulations, 12-C.
What does this change in status mean? Basically, SAG-AFTRA members may still be represented by ATA agents, such as Exclusive Artists Agency, with the understanding that your agency relationships may not be fully protected under both sets of agency regulations, 12-C and 16(g). There is no change in this agency’s status under legacy AFTRA, 12- C. Exclusive Artist Agency must, however, remain legacy AFTRA-franchised in order to continue to represent you for SAG-AFTRA covered employment opportunities, and members remain largely protected by the legacy AFTRA’s agency agreement.
However, should Exclusive Artist Agency present you with a general services agreement or “GSA” (i.e., an agency-generated document created outside of SAG- AFTRA’s jurisdiction/oversight to represent performers for union-covered work), we strongly recommend that you take the time to become well versed on such document’s terms and conditions prior to signing, as in some cases these types of non-conforming contracts may attempt to circumvent many union protections that you enjoyed while this agency was fully franchised under SAG's 16(g) and AFTRA's 12-C. Fully understanding what you are signing onto is necessary to ensure that your interests are best protected.
Please note, SAG-AFTRA's position is that GSAs are not valid for any area covered by the 12-C agency regulations, but they may nonetheless attempt to alter your obligations to this agent if you choose to sign one. Although the union cannot offer you individual reviews of GSAs, we would be happy to answer any general questions that you may have about the change in this agency's status, and point you toward online resources which may be able to assist you further. Should you choose to continue to be represented by Exclusive Artist Agency and potentially sign a GSA contract, the union also recommends that you secure the services of independent legal counsel prior to signing anything which is not a union-approved document.
Should you have any additional questions regarding the contents of this notice, please contact the National Office’s Professional Representatives Department at agency@sagaftra.org or (323) 549-6745. Thank you.
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.