TO: All Franchise Applications Instructions (All Locals excluding California and New York) Be sure that the answers to the questions in the Application and additional information requested below are accurate and complete. False or misleading statements may result in a delay or a denial of your 12C franchise application. Please read the Application and Regulations Governing Agents 12C very carefully and answer all questions completely and truthfully. PREREQUISITES TO RECEIVING A FRANCHISE IN LEGACY AFTRA S JURISDICTION: 1. Please provide a photocopy of your current State Talent Agency License and/or any local licenses/business operating permits for the market(s) in which your agency conducts business. This document must be provided to SAG-AFTRA prior to receiving this franchise package. Rule 12C, Section VIII A(3). 2. Please provide a photo copy of your surety bond(s) for a total amount of $20,000, listing SAG- AFTRA as the assignee. ($10,000 if working exclusively under one Legacy Union.) [Note: In States where SAG-AFTRA incorporates an existing State bond requirement, the State and Union bond totals would be combined e.g. In Philadelphia, licensed agents are required to post a $3,000 bond with the State and $7,000 with existing L-SAG and/or L-AFTRA. The agency would now necessitate the posting of a $14,000 bond with SAG-AFTRA as the assignee and $3,000 with the State.] Please provide a letter from your financial institution, on its letterhead, providing proof of your agency s client trust account (name and number) as well as proof of your agency s business operating account (name and number). Attach cancelled/voided checks from these accounts to your application (Rule 12C Section VIII K) 1 3. Please provide a statement of ownership breakdown with percentages on agency letterhead. If only one person is an owner, please indicate this clearly. 4. All agents are required to complete a SAG-AFTRA Agency Information Sheet. 5. Please include three (3) letters of recommendation from recognized industry professionals within SAG- AFTRA s jurisdiction including, but not limited to recognized casting directors who have worked on Union signatory projects, franchised talent agents, signatory companies, SAG-AFTRA members in good standing, etc. All letters of recommendation must be on company letterhead, where applicable, and signed. 6. SAG-AFTRA agrees to conduct a timely office inspection prior to the finalizing of any franchise application. The Union reserves the right to reject any office space which, in its determination, may endanger the health, safety or welfare of its current or future members. 7. Please attach a resume for each owner of past experience, in chronological order, for at least the last (5) five years of employment. [Please note: SAG-AFTRA requires a minimum of one (1) year of applicable experience in the entertainment industry before franchising an agency.] 8. All agency employees who are actively engaged in the conduct of the applicant's business within the scope of Rule 12-C are required to execute an Application for a Sub-Agent Franchise Exhibit "D". Such employees 1 NOTE: Your attention is called to Section X (M) of Rule 12-C (Page 18&19) which states:. The moneys belonging to the artist shall not be commingled with moneys belonging to the agent but shall be segregated and kept in a separate account which may be knows as a clients account or trust account or an account similar in nature. Each agent may have one or more of such client s accounts or trust accounts and may keep all moneys of all artists in one or more of such client s accounts or trust accounts.
are known as sub-agents. These sub-agents must provide their name, social security number and resume by affixing that information to the application and returning to SAG-AFTRA. Do not list employees who are not engaged in negotiations, procuring employment, advising artists, or the like. 9. Additional information required of Corporate Applicants: A corporation must submit a copy of your corporate minutes reflecting the election of officers or the signed statement of the stockholders appointing the officers, where such appointment is authorized by the Certificate if Incorporation. The Seal of the Corporation must be affixed to the minutes or statement. Additionally, a corporation must submit a copy of proof of filing of its Certificate of Incorporation. 10. Please Read Rule 12C, Appendix A if this section applies, please explain in detail. 11. NOTE: SAG-AFTRA franchised agents may not benefit, directly or indirectly, from the operation of a school, broadly defined. If the applicant is connected in any way with a modeling school, or school of any type, please explain in detail. OFFICE INSPECTION During the application process, a representative of SAG-AFTRA will visit your office to inspect its facilities. Our guidelines include (but are not limited to): 1. An agency must be located in a commercial office building or space. 2. The office space must be used only for business purposes and not for residential purposes. 3. There must be two rooms (reception area and office) or a built-in room divider. 4. The agency name must appear on the building directory. 5. There must be separate restroom facilities near the office. 6. An agent may not share an office telephone with another business without written approval from SAG- AFTRA. 7. SAG-AFTRA will not approve any office space which, in its determination, may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of its current or future members. Mail your completed Franchise packet to: Attn: Professional Representatives SAG-AFTRA 1900 Broadway, 5 th Floor New York, NY 10023 If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at 212-863-4230.
Exhibit A-2 SAG-AFTRA APPLICATION FOR AGENT S FRANCHISE UNDER RULE 12-C FOR AGENTS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN FRANCHISED BY AFTRA The undersigned, and each of them, hereby apply to the AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS, hereinafter called AFTRA for an Agent s franchise, for and on behalf of: (Name of agency) As Applicant. For convenience the undersigned and Applicant may be hereinafter collectively referred to as Applicant. 1. Applicant proposes to conduct the agency business at the following offices, having the following address or addresses. Phone Number Offices not listed herein shall not be deemed offices of applicant until notice in writing to AFTRA of the opening of new offices. Applicant agrees promptly to notify AFTRA in writing of any change of address or phone number. 2. Applicant has read the AFTRA Regulations Governing Agents, as modified by the Memorandum of Agreement for Rule 12-C hereinafter referred to as the Regulations. The said Regulations are incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in this application, and Applicant agrees to be bound thereby and conform thereto. Applicant has examined the form of Agent s franchise that AFTRA proposes to issue and is familiar therewith and agrees that the Agent s franchise in such form is the one, which AFTRA may issue pursuant to this application. 3. Applicant agrees that all statements, agreements and representations made in this application are made for the express benefit of AFTRA and it s members, both present and future. Applicant further agrees that this application and the franchise issued pursuant hereto, if one is issued, and the provisions of AFTRA s Rule 12-C, shall constitute a contract between Applicant and AFTRA. 4. All statements attached are a part hereof. Applicant has attached hereto a copy of their state license, where applicable, evidence of an office bank account and client trust account, a written statement detailing the ownership structure of the agency (with the home address and telephone number of each owner), two letters of recommendation from persons employed in the entertainment industry for each owner and a statement setting forth a summary of the experience of each of the undersigned in business and in the entertainment industry, as well as such other facts upon which the undersigned relies in showing his/her qualifications for an agent s franchise.
5. Applicant shall attach hereto a statement giving the names of all members of AFTRA with whom Applicant has agency contracts, giving the date of execution and term of each contract, including extended terms, if any. Applicant shall attach hereto true and correct copies of all agency contracts between Applicant and any member. 6. If any person with whom Applicant has contracts for the splitting of commissions received from members of AFTRA in the fields within the scope of these Regulations, is a person who is engaged in any of the activities prohibited under Appendix A of the Regulations, Applicant agrees to furnish AFTRA with a copy of the contract between Applicant and any such person, which copy is attached hereto. 7. Applicant states that: a. No person, firm or corporation engaged in any of the activities described in Appendix A of the Regulations, or affiliate thereof, has any interest in Applicant s business, either directly or indirectly, whether as an owner or otherwise. b. No person, firm or corporation who is engaged in the said activities, or affiliate thereof, has any right to share in the profits of Applicant s business, directly or indirectly, or hold any indebtedness from Applicant to such person, firm or corporation or affiliate thereof. c. Applicant and Applicant s affiliates are not engaged in any of activities described in Appendix A. If any of the foregoing statements are not correct, the incorrect statement or statements should be stricken out and a detailed statement attached to this application setting forth the facts, which caused Applicant to strike out the incorrect statement or statements. 8. Applicant has never been convicted of a crime, involving embezzlement, theft, fraud, forgery or dishonest conduct. If the foregoing is incorrect, Applicant shall strike it out and attach to this application a statement giving all of the details with reference to any such conviction. 9. Each person, firm or corporation, and all of them, agree to be individually bound jointly and severally hereunder. Each person who is now or may hereafter be an owner of Applicant (as that term is used in subdivision J of Section VIII of Rule 12-C) shall be jointly and severally liable on all contracts between Applicant and any member of AFTRA, where any obligation under any such contract was incurred to such member while such person was an owner of Applicant. 10. Each person executing this application where such application is made on behalf of a partnership or corporation, and each subagent who has filled an application as provided in Exhibit D of the Regulations, states that s/he has no existing contract to act as Agent with artists, or, if such person has any such contracts, then such person states that s/he now holds, or is applying as an individual, for an Agent s franchise from AFTRA. 11. Applicant recognizes that in industries as complicated as those within AFTRA s jurisdiction, waivers may be necessary from time to time with reference to the Regulations and this application, and Applicant agrees that AFTRA may grant such waivers, if permitted by the Regulations, without affecting the Applicant s obligations hereunder. 12. Applicant agrees to conform to the Regulations and does hereby consent to the modification of all existing contracts with reference to industries within the scope of these Regulations between Applicant and present or future members of AFTRA in the manner and to extent set forth in the Regulations. 13. This application shall be of no effect unless AFTRA issues a franchise pursuant hereto. Any initial franchise granted to a new agent shall be a temporary one-year franchise. At the end of such one-year period, the agent will be granted a franchise unless the AFTRA National Office notifies the agent in writing prior to the conclusion of the initial one-year period that the franchise is being denied or that the temporary franchise is being extended. 14. Notice to the party in whose name the franchise is issued shall be notice to all parties who join herein.
15. Applicant attaches hereto a statement setting forth the names of all its subagents (required to sign Exhibit D of the Regulations) who are actively engaged in the agency within the scope of these Regulations. No active member of AFTRA will be issued a franchise with AFTRA as an agent or sub-agent without first placing their membership with AFTRA on Honorary Withdrawal status. No franchised agent or sub-agent shall accept employment as an artist in the jurisdiction of AFTRA. 16. Applicant agrees that all his/her present subagents within the scope of these Regulations, in the nature of negotiations, procuring employment, advising artists, or the like, have endorsed the acceptance by filing and executing Exhibit D of the Regulations and which are attached hereto. Applicant further agrees that at the time applicant employs new sub-agents, Applicant will promptly file with AFTRA a duplicate original of such application executed by such new sub-agent(s). 17. Applicant attaches hereto a statement setting forth a full description of the legal and factual organization Applicant. Named in said statement are the owners of interests in Applicant and the percentage of interest of each, and the nature of such ownership, whether stock, partnership, or otherwise. Applicant agrees to notify AFTRA promptly upon the occurrence of any change. AFTRA may request any applicant or any franchise agent to submit from time to time a complete description of the legal and factual organization of such applicant or franchised agent, listing all persons owning an interest therein, the interest owned by each, and all partners, officers and directors, and the applicant or agent shall promptly comply with such request. 18. Applicant agrees that AFTRA will be notified by applicant of any change in the identity of the persons who are owners, officer, directors, or partners or managers of Applicant, in writing, within twenty (20) days after any such change occurs and Applicant has knowledge thereof (or sooner if required under Appendix A). 19. Applicant has never applied for or held a franchise from AFRA or AFTRA under Rule 12,12-A or 12-B, nor been disciplined under Rules 12,12-A or 12-B. The Applicant s franchise, if any, from the following organizations has never been suspended or revoked: Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, Inc., American Guild of Variety Artists, American Guild of Musical Artists, Inc. If any of the foregoing sentences are incorrect, Applicant shall strike out the incorrect sentence and attach to this application a statement giving the details as to such stricken sentence. The Applicant shall furnish AFTRA with further details, if it requests the same. 20. Applicant specifically consents to Sections XXIX of Rule 12-C, including the designation of ATA. 21. Agent agrees specifically that agent has read and accepts the Duty to AFTRA as outlined in Exhibit I attached to the regulations. 22. Applicant is not interested in any package show as that term is defined in Section VI Rule 12-C. If the preceding sentence is incorrect, the Applicant shall strike it out and attach to this application a statement listing any package show in which Applicant is interested as of the date of this application. AFTRA shall be furnished, if it requests the same, with the name of any package show in which Applicant may become interested after the filing of this application. Please check current applicable union affiliation: Legacy SAG ACTORS EQUITY AFM Dated at this day of, 20. (City/Location)
I declare under penalty of perjury that the above is true and correct. OWNERS/APPLICANT (As defined in Section X-J of Regulations) Signature of Applicant Social Security Number Signature of Applicant Social Security Number Signature of Applicant Social Security Number Signature of Applicant Social Security Number A corporation must submit a copy of their Certificate of Incorporation (or proof of filing for a Certificate of Incorporation). Please affix the Certificate of Incorporation to the back of this application.
AGENCY UPDATE FORM AGENCY INFO To update your address, please attach a copy of your license and surety bond reflecting the new address. Name of Agency Agency ID# Phone Fax Address CLIENT TRUST ACCOUNT INFORMATION Bank Name Account # Address BUSINESS OPERATING ACCOUNT INFORMATION Bank Name Account # Address TALENT AGENCY LICENSE & SURETY BOND INFORMATION: PLEASE SEND PHOTOCOPY OF CURRENT LICENSE (OR BUSINESS OPERATING PERMIT IN AREAS WHERE APPLICABLE) AND SURETY BOND (OR CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT WHERE APPLICABLE). OWNERSHIP BREAKDOWN* Name SS# % of Ownership Email Name SS# % of Ownership Email SUB-AGENTS* A resume and application are required for all new sub-agents. Name SS# Authorized Signer? Email Name SS# Authorized Signer? Email Name SS# Authorized Signer? Email * Please attach a separate sheet for additional owners and/or sub-agents. Please Print Name Signature of Owner Date Revised 08.30.16
SURETY BOND FORM KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that we a/an (Name of agency) with business locations at (Individual, Partnership, etc), as principal (the Principal ) and (City, State & Zip), as surety (the Surety ), are held and bound onto Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ( SAG-AFTRA ), in the penal sum of $ to the payment whereof we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, firmly by these presents. WHEREAS, SAG-AFTRA has agreed to issue to the Principal a franchise to engage in business as a SAG-AFTRA franchised talent agency, upon receipt by SAG-AFTRA of satisfactory evidence of a surety bond. It is a condition of this bond that the Principal is to comply with SAG-AFTRA s Regulations Governing Agents under Rule 16(g) and/or Rule 12C, respectively ( Agency Regulations ) and all of the laws and regulations governing the acts of talent agencies in the State of and a further condition of this obligation is that the Principal and Surety to this bond shall be subject to suit and or arbitration by action thereon by any person who shall sustain actionable inquires or loss or damage, including reasonable costs and attorney s fees, by the conduct on the part of the Principal, and it shall be for the purpose of indemnifying any persons injured or damaged or who may suffer loss due to any wrongful act of the Principal, his agents or employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. Regardless of the number of years this bond remains in full force or the number of premiums paid, and regardless of the number or amount of claims or claimants, in no event shall the aggregate liability of the surety bond exceed the penal sum of the bond. The bond shall be deemed continuous in form and shall remain in full force and effect throughout the term that the talent agent maintains a SAG-AFTRA franchise unless terminated or cancelled in the manner herein provided. Any modification in the obligations of the Principal under the Agency Regulations may be made without the consent or knowledge of the Surety and without in any way releasing the Surety from liability under this bond. The Surety may, at any time, cancel this bond by giving thirty (30) days written notice by registered mail to SAG-AFTRA. The Surety, however, shall remain liable for any defaults under this bond committed prior to the expiration of such thirty (30) day period, together with the interest due thereon. If any of the provisions of this bond are held to be illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions shall remain effective. The effective date of this bond is:. Signed, sealed and dated this day of, 20. Witness: Principal: BY: BY: (Witness to Principal Signature) (Signature must agree with owner signature on application) Surety: (Surety Company) BY: BY: (Agent of Surety Company) (Attorney in Fact) INFORMATION NEEDED FROM THE INSURING AGENCY (please type): NAME OF SURETY: ADDRESS: Telephone Number: Bond Number assigned: Please mail this completed form to: SAG-AFTRA PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES DEPARTMENT *1900 Broadway, 5 th Floor, New York, NY 10023 *5757 Wilshire Blvd. 7 th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036
SAG-AFTRA periodically publishes a list of currently franchised agents. Along with the name, address, and telephone number of the agency, we indicate the type of representation offered by the agency. Please select the categories below which apply to your agency for L-AFTRA covered work only: This agency provides representation in the following areas: All Corporate Educational Non-Broadcast/ Industrials On Camera Only Daytime Drama Promotional Announcements Voice Over Only Documentaries Radio Commercials Billboards Hosting Radio Programs Broadcast/ News Infomercials Sound Recordings CD-ROM/ Interactive Interstitials TV Programs Commercials New Media This agency represents the following talent; which includes those who have self-identified as the following: All Dancers Performers with Disabilities Actors Foreign/ International Puppeteers Animation Latino/ Hispanic Seniors Asian/ Pacific Islander/ South Asian Black/ African American Broadcasters Children Comedians LGBT Middle Eastern/ North African Models Musical Artists Native American Spanish Language Stunt Performers
Dear Agent, As per your request, please find two copies of the Application for a Sub-Agents Franchise Under Rule 12-C, Exhibit "D". Please complete this form and send it back to the SAG- AFTRA Department of Professional Representatives in Los Angeles, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, 7 th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036; or to 1900 Broadway, 5 th Floor, New York, NY 10023. Include your resume, listing your business experience for the last three years, and your Social Security number. (Please call our office to verify if there is already a resume on file). If you have any questions, please contact our office. Thank you. Sincerely, SAG-AFTRA Department of Professional Representatives
EXHIBIT D Application for a Sub-Agent Franchise under Rule 12C The undersigned hereby applies for an AFTRA Sub-Agent Franchise to act as a sub-agent for the agent named below, as hereinafter set forth: For convenience the undersigned may be hereinafter referred to as Applicant, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists may be referred to as AFTRA. Applicant states and represents that the following are true and correct: 1. Applicant proposes to act as a sub-agent for, an agent holding an Agent s Franchise from AFTRA, or an applicant therefor. 2. Applicant has read the AFTRA Regulations Governing Agents, as modified by the Memorandum of Agreement for Rule 12-C, which may hereinafter be referred to as the Regulations. The said Regulations are incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in this application, and Applicant agrees to be bound thereby and conform thereto. Applicant has examined the form of the sub-agents franchise, which AFTRA proposes to issue, and is familiar therewith and agrees that the subagent s franchise in such form is the one which AFTRA may issue pursuant to this application. 3. Applicant agrees that all statements, agreements and representation made in this application are made for the express benefit of AFTRA and of its members, both present and future. Applicant further agrees that this application and the franchise issued pursuant hereto, if one be issued, shall constitute a contract Applicant and AFTRA. 4. Applicant attaches hereto a statement as part hereof summarizing his/her previous business experience. 5. Applicant is not engaged in the production or distribution of motion pictures except as permitted by Sections V and XVI of the Regulations. 6. Applicant has never been convicted of a crime involving embezzlement, theft, fraud, forgery or dishonest conduct. If the foregoing is incorrect, Applicant shall strike it out and attach to this application a statement, as part hereof, giving all of the details with reference to any conviction. 7. Has Applicant ever had an agency license revoked, suspended or denied? 8. Has any franchise been revoked, suspended or denied by SAG, AGVA, Equity or AFM? I declare under penalty of perjury that the above is true and correct. Executed on this day of 20. (city) (State) Applicant (Print Name) Applicant Social Security Number Applicant Signature Agent s email address (for confirmation) The undersigned franchised talent agent or applicant for a talent agent s franchise joins in the foregoing application as of the above date and certifies that the applicant for a sub-agent s franchise is a bona fide employee of the undersigned. TALENT AGENCY OWNER SIGNATURE DATED
Thank you for your interest in becoming a SAG-AFTRA Franchised Agent. Included below is a watermarked sample of our newly branded logo, exclusively for our SAG-AFTRA franchised agents. This logo has been updated to reflect the overall rebranding of SAG-AFTRA. As a franchised talent agent you would be eligible to use our approved SAG-AFTRA Franchised Agent s logo in conjunction with your business and marketing purposes. As in the past, SAG-AFTRA believes our agents deserve a logo that uniquely positions them in their representation of our members and future members. Your agency would be free to request official use of the logo for your website, stationery, forms or other documents. Use of the logo is, of course, completely voluntary and can be used as long as you remain franchised with SAG-AFTRA. By contacting agency@sagaftra.org and officially requesting the logo, it is understood that your agency, all its employees, independent contractors, and affiliates will abide by the usage guidelines, attached for your review, which outline how the logo may be used by your agency. Once you have become franchised and have officially requested use of the logo, SAG-AFTRA will forward you a Zip folder featuring the logo in various formats for all of your business needs. Thank you for your interest in servicing our members and representing SAG- AFTRA.