Agents for Actors

Shiloh Arts

Shiloh Arts

Well-known member
Does anyone know if in order to get an Acting Agent you need to first be in the Screen Actors Gild? (I should know this ...huh :huh: )
 
No -- I work with plenty of non-SAG actors who have agents... in fact, most of the actors around these parts are non-union and get most of their gigs through their agents.
 
I landed my agent before I was SAG. It all depends really, but there is no requirement. However many agents prefer SAG actors over non-union.
 
alveraz said:
I landed my agent before I was SAG. It all depends really, but there is no requirement. However many agents prefer SAG actors over non-union.
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If you want a serious agent that is serious about you and is taken seriously by legitimate paying customers you should be SAG.

You go with the players ICM, William Morris, CAA, ACME, DIVERSE, CED, Paradigm they won't even waste their time if you aren't SAG.

Futhermore, SAG has nice benefits like pension and welfare as well as credibility.
 
BUT, don't start thinking you can walk into any of those agencies natob just mentioned without a solid resume/reel/training. Those are the big daddies.

Baby steps.

My agent took me before I was SAG and she rocks! I have plenty of commercial and film work, and I make solid wages. There are plenty of reliable agents out there, endorsed by SAG that are legit and will work hard for you, EVEN if you're non-union.
 
It really depends upon the uniqueness of the actor. If a given agency already has your demographic filled then they will be less likely to consider you, regardless of your guild status. If your good and unique they will be interested regardless.

It is really a minor expense to a production company to "Taft-Hartley" any actor into the union if they can argue that the non guild member is the best for a given role. There can be a small penalty to the production company, but very often this is waived. There simply is no excuse to not hiring someone who is truly the best for the role just because they are not currently a guild member.

As for natob2's list of agencies I don't think I would put CED, Diverse or ACME on the same list as CAA, ICM or William Morris, these just are not in the same league.

SAGs value to performers has really diminished in the past few years. While it is true that SAG does have a good health care and pension plan, most of the SAG actors don't earn enough annually to qualify to take any advantage of these benefits. These same actors are hampered by being a guild member (in that they are technically not allowed to work non union - that is unless you are big enough that they can't make an example of you), they get to pay the dues and have their employers make the contributions, but don't get any advantages. Just mention financial core status to most guild members and you will be surprised to learn their reactions.

Rather than worry about being a guild member, worry about being the best for a role. That is what gets you jobs as an actor.
 
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