Why Are Some Agencies Not Checked Under SAG?
What is SAG?
If you're wondering why some talent agencies aren't marked as SAG on our platform, here's a quick breakdown to help clarify:
SAG stands for the Screen Actors Guild, now part of SAG-AFTRA, a major union that represents film and television actors. Learn more at: sagaftra.org
What Does It Mean to Be a “SAG-Franchised” Agency?
In the past, SAG had a formal agreement with certain talent agencies. These agencies could become SAG-franchised by agreeing to follow specific rules designed to protect actors—such as not charging certain fees or requiring upfront payments.
So why aren’t all agencies checked now?
That agreement between SAG and agencies actually expired a while ago. Some agencies still call themselves “SAG-franchised,” but it doesn’t mean what it used to.
Here’s the key point:
- A SAG-franchised agency isn’t automatically good.
- And a non-franchised agency isn’t automatically bad.
That's why we don't put too much weight on the SAG label anymore—and why some agencies may not have the SAG checkmark.
Because of the outdated nature of the SAG franchise system, we don’t automatically check every agency as SAG unless there's current, relevant information that supports it.
We always recommend doing your own research and trusting your instincts—look for transparent communication, fair terms, and a solid track record when considering an agency.