Undercover Agent Responds to comments made this AM by Ric Williams:
But “IF” the licensed agent or agency is going after SAG or AFTRA work then what I have said is 100% correct !
My understanding, from all the press that has been given in this scenario, the reason this “agent” or “agency” got licensed was to EXPOSED, MARKET and GENERATE work for his “adult star” clients into the “real” mainstream world, maybe even to go as far as subscribing to Breakdown Services, therefore going after the SAG and AFTRA work. If this is TRUE then violations will exist. As I believe this individual runs a distribution company from the same address as the agency.
And YES the ATA [Association of Talent Agents] is voluntary but highly recommended for any legitimate talent agent/agency to become part of…like CAA, ICM, William Morris, UTA, Endeavor etc. And YES some agents / agencies DO NOT join the ATA. But they pretty much follow the same rules and guidelines set-up by the ATA. Seek SAG and AFTRA work only . Take a 10% commission. I assure you the agencies I previously mentioned do not take a 20% commission.
Mr. Williams did not address that it was in violation of a licensed agent to seek work for actors or actresses in the Non-Union area, but of course he is not a member of the ATA just a licensed agent.
Under cover agent says: “I would like his take on this , ie, Non-Union work, as it was not addressed in his rebuttal view on Adult FYI”
Under cover agent says: “I would like to throw this out there for thought”. In the book outlining the “Laws Relating To Talent Agencies” Excepts from the California Labor Code and California Code Of Regulations,Title 8.
1700.33. PROHIBITED EMPLOYMENTNo talent agency shall send or cause to be sent, any artist to any place where the health, safety, or welfare of the artist could be adversely affected, the character of which place the talent agency could have ascertained upon reasonable inquiry.
Under cover agent says: So I guess un-protected sex with Double Anal, DP’s, Anal, Straight Vaginal, drug and alcohol use does not fall under 1700.33. This has GOT TOO make you wonder how the the State Of California could react to this when it pertains to Licensed Agents or Agencies.
And surely this has been already implemented within the current Licensed Agents.
1700.25 LICENSEE TO DEPOSIT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF ARTIST IN A TRUST FUND.
[a] A licensee who receives any payment of funds on behalf of an artist shall immediately deposit that amount in a TRUST FUND ACCOUNT maintained by him or her in a bank or other recognized depository. The funds, less the licensee’s commission, shall be disbursed to the artist within 15 days after receipt.
[b] A separate record shall be maintained of all funds, received on behalf of an artist and the record shall further indicate the disposition of the funds.
1700.26. RECORD REQUIRED
Every talent agency shall keep records in a form approved by the Labor Commissioner, in which shall be entered all of the following:
(1) The name and address of each artist employing the talent agency.
(2) The amount of fee received from the artist.
(3) The employments secured by the artist during the term of the contract between the artist and the talent agency, and the amount of compensation received by the artist pursuant thereto.
(4) Any other information which the Labor Commissioner requires.
No talent agency, its agent or employees, shall make any false entry in any records.
1700.28. RECORD – COMMISIONER INSPECTION
All books, records, and other papers kept pursuant to this chapter by any talent agency shall be open at all reasonable hours to the inspection of the Labor Commissioner and his agents. Every talent agency shall furnish to the Labor Commissioner upon request a true copy of such books, records, and papers or any portion thereof, and shall make such reports as the Labor Commissioner prescribes.
Under cover agent says: “Hopefully the talent “signed” are, to the agent or agency, current with their state and federal taxes. As it will expose them even more to outside government departments”. “Hopefully they are fine knowing that the State Of California I,e. The labor commission will now know that they are Adult Performers and also have their real names and addresses.”
…..AND FINALLY in my opinion, by a licensed agent being required to follow 1700.26 and 1700.28. This will definitely have the government knocking on doors sooner or later. And not coming in first to clamp down on un-licensed agents operating in the adult world. And section 1700.33 could certainly raise some eyebrows. All in all The INDIVIDUALS who SUFFER here will be the hard working males and females who are out there everyday in the trenches providing “adult entertainment” for the fans.