3/24/2026: Welp~My royalty check arrived today so, I guess I'll be a high roller buying organic cottage cheese and chocolate milk from Grocery Outlet . . . Lol~Yup--I'm reaaally rollin' in dee dough, eh? The royalty check dated 2/19/2026 took over ONE MONTH arriving. Once upon a time, the residuals, i.e., "Majestic" Film Production's Royalties Check used to be $xxxxx.xx . . . NOW~OOOOOOoooooof~Reaching the bottom o' da barrel at Walmart's $5.00 DVDs on sale~waaaaaah! read more

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I have attended several meetings and events here. The newly renovated building looks great and the front office staff are super cool. The Union for media and entertainment professionals, SAG-AFTRA represents over 175,000 members across the globe. Formed by a merger in 2012 between the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, this unification consolidated the representation of the voice for actors in the industry. Located in the Mid-Wilshire area, the office is easily accessible to its members. read more

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SAG/AFTRA takes producer's deposit and never return it unless they are hounded. Many actors get no benefits from the union, despite getting paid those benefits in their name. Producers pay 22.5% p/h to SAG for each actor knowing those actors won't see a dime of it. Producers frequently cite administrative nightmares when working with SAG-AFTRA. Contract approval processes are notoriously slow, bogged down by unnecessary red tape. Indie producers trying to create legitimate union-approved projects can face weeks--sometimes months--of delays while waiting for contracts, even for small-budget films. This stalls production schedules, strains limited budgets, and forces creators to either cancel projects or resort to non-union hires--leaving actors without jobs. SAG-AFTRA's "low-budget" agreements are anything but low-cost. The financial thresholds required often cripple small indie producers. When struggling filmmakers are forced to allocate disproportionate funds toward meeting union pay minimums, production quality suffers. Ironically, this leaves actors working on shoestring productions with inadequate support, fewer shooting days, and diminished creative opportunities. The union's aggressive enforcement policies frequently create hostility toward producers, driving many filmmakers away from union-affiliated projects entirely. Independent producers, especially those in emerging digital media, view SAG-AFTRA's cumbersome system as outdated and punitive. As a result, they avoid union contracts, leading to fewer legitimate, well-paying jobs for actors. While the union aggressively enforces strict pay requirements for small producers, large studios can exploit "pay-or-play" loopholes that allow them to sideline actors while retaining full production control. SAG-AFTRA's contracts seem more focused on headline-making disputes with studios like Disney and Netflix while offering little protection to independent producers navigating increasingly complex contract terms. SAG-AFTRA's membership rules make it difficult for new and emerging actors to gain entry into the industry through union-approved projects. Indie producers face steep fees for hiring new actors under union agreements, making them less likely to take a chance on unknown talent. This forces aspiring actors into non-union projects with fewer protections, creating the very conditions SAG-AFTRA was designed to prevent. SAG-AFTRA's rigid, outdated structure doesn't just harm producers--it creates a hostile environment for actors, limiting job opportunities and stifling creative projects. If the union continues treating producers as adversaries rather than collaborators, both sides will suffer. The industry needs flexible, modern agreements that adapt to evolving production models--not punitive rules that drive creators away from union projects. Without these reforms, SAG-AFTRA risks becoming a relic of a bygone Hollywood era, hurting the very people it claims to champion. read more

The most lucrative yet controversial, I have heard of this union from countless of people both within and outside of the industry. Some enjoyed the part of joining SAG, some didn't and decided to go Ficore. Obviously everyone journey is different, but be prepared for everything to come before and after become a member of the Screen Actors Guild. First is the $3000 initial fees to join, then the semi yearly due plus the percentage of your work about 1.5 something depends on your locals, I live in San Diego but I would pay the full amount to be LA local hires and also consider to work nationwide. Secondly, you will have to give up all your non union projects which is 60% of productions nowadays plus commercials, there're ways to work around it, but you need to do your own research. Thirdly, you might realize this business is super competitive after joining, as an actor you have to fight among others who have more experiences and been in the industry longer than you, but that not to deteriorate anyone from become SAG, well when the time is right that is, again this is generally speaking. Alright, the best of my knowledge I consider joining as a big stepping stone, the future is still ahead of me. read more

Excellent service and very friendly staff members. They were funny and accommodating to all new members. They explained the process and went over paperwork thoroughly and made me feel very welcome and comfortable. Excited to be a part of the Guild! read more

SAG started out to benefit and protect the performers--now it's a scam. They collect obscene membership fees to pay six figure salaries to the board witch does absolutely nothing for the actors but leach. I tried to call in the other day and was greeted by a rude customer support person who said her supervisor was "in a meeting" and promised she'd have them call me back. Yea right. They never returned my call or addressed my concern. Why pay dues? Work non union there's more opportunity! read more

The parking ticket system you have installed in your back parking lot is always having issues with tickets becoming unreadable or demagnetizing. I'm currently sitting at a gate right now in the back trying to get out. The security guard on the phone told me that no one was available to help me exit, it's 9am on a Sunday. What am I supposed to do, sit here all day? Unacceptable. I'm calling the police if they don't let me out of here in the next 10 minutes. read more

I was in and out in 30 minutes to apply my sag aftra membership! Not sure his name is Bryan or Brian was the one who helped by step by step of the paperwork he is very patient and professional. Thank you for your help! read more

SAG-AFTRA - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

SAGAFTRA membership services have become aggressive and with attitude. If I wanted this treatment I'd join the post office union instead. Is this what my dues go to? So curt and rude with a touch of terrible diction. No, you don't need to 'regurgitate' a question I 'axed' on an entirely different call.... *face palm* read more

I called the LA office yesterday regarding my membership and Stacey was extremely rude and aggressive. Barely wanted to hear about my issue an had no desire even trying to help. She does not have the right character to be the first person of contact when members call. read more

I'm usually only coming here to give them money (paying dues lol), but I always have a positive experience. I think it's pretty funny that the same man who sits at the front desk when I burst into the Sag office in 2008 very excited to join Sag and screamed, "I'm here to pay for my SAAAAG!" who looked at me and pointed to the cashier's window and just replied with "You need to go there." in a monotone but nice voice still works there and still looks at me like I am a strange girl. Everyone is always nice at the SAG office so I really don't have much to say about it here. I will give a tip for new or unseasoned actors, don't waste your money going to certain bookstores buying the Agency Listing books. The SAG office have the updated packages available for free. Also, parking is free with validation so don't forget to get your ticket validated when leaving the SAG office. SAG/AFTRA members also have our own designated parking area which is nice and if it is full, there is extra parking in the lot. I hope this review helps build your excitement a little more when you're making the big decision to join the Screen Actors Guild. Good luck fellow actors, dancers, and performers! :) read more

Had an amazing experience here recently with a special event ticket to see the Good Times showing with a Q & A with Robert Pattinson himself in person. Well organized, nice and helpful staff, lovely, intimate, and comfortable screening room where you can actually see and hear everything perfectly. Rob himself was also awesome - not that that reflects on SAG ;) Haha Final Verdict: Should I have the opportunity to come back I definitely will! read more

This is probably one of the most random places I've been to. I visited LA in 2004, when my boyfriend at the time was attending the LA film school. Somehow he befriended an older woman who happened to be a member of the SAG. She invited us to preview 2 movies back-to-back: The Polar Express, and Closer. Following was a Q & A with the director Wes Anderson (Holy Mother!!!). I LOVE The Royal Tenenbaums, so getting to know a little about the Director helped me understand the concept better. Needless to say, it was a LONG evening but well worth sitting in a movie seat for 5 hours. The venue was great, and outside the theater there are vintage black and white photos of infamous Hollywood moments and actors. read more

I've been a proud union member since 2012. I've been disappointed in some promises to fulfill principal work that have been reneged on, and have had some really difficulty switching from the New York office to the LA office. The Los Angeles office on Wilshire Blvd is really easy to get to, and I hear that it's much easier to join now that the unions have merged. :) read more

This rude lady on the phone at the SAG office is eating her breakfast in my ear and saying she can't verify its me on the phone because I can't recall the name From one of 5 million productions I done . Although I verified my Social and address already . I'm like do you know how many random things I have done and most of which are working titles ?!? so anyways after her making me want to jump a bridge I hang up and call back to get a lovely man who actually gave me the title of what I worked on and fixed the issue I was having and answered all my questions . Thank you for making my day !! And to the lady that sucks at her job you should definitely quit . read more

I've been a member for several years now, never needed to call them to use their services till this past spring. I did a commercial as a background actor and the company was slow to pay. I contacted SagAftra and I was put in touch with Teka Perry in the commercial division, she was very helpful in getting my pay and penalties due to late fees and sloppiness of the production company. Teka Perry is a great asset to this actors union. read more

The guild will always hold a special place in my heart. As a youngster back in the midwest, my biggest goal for after graduating high school and university was to then move to LA and join the indistinguishable Screen Actors Guild, because as anyone being paid in entertainment knows, you cannot actually speak in mainstream film or television if you are not a member of the Guild, which technically means, while millions of folks say they are actors, really, the only ones that can actually have lines on tv are in the guild, of which there are only about 350,000 of us. As such, it is a huge rite of passage for actors. It's supposed to take years to get your SAG card and all the amazing benefits that come with it "including health care better than the Pentagon...that isn't an exaggeration". I got mine in 4 months. I worked hard to get it, and once it was in my hand, I felt my first huge sense of accomplishment in LA. My first time going to the guild and my first guild meeting and my first SAG Card way back in 2004 will always be incredible milestones and memories for me, and now that we have merged and become SAGAFTRA, I look forward to many new memories and am both honored and proud to be a member of the charter class of this new union :) They've always had my back on set, in films, in financial settlements, etc, and I know they always will. I give my beloved Screen Actors Guild, a 5 out of 5 stars. read more

Mostly I've had a good time at the Union. In June a mystery agent for background talent named Toloria Milner didn't process a claim payment I was due and kept dropping my phone calls. Aside from this claims agent it's been great. read more

I've been in the Guild for twenty plus years. I'm very thankful that the actors before me were willing to organize and risk being black listed as well as strike to make the lives of other actors better. I have been happy with the union these past twenty years but something has happened recently. I guess the union has decided to stop working for us, the dues payers. I have left numerous messages with the SF office as well as the LA office and so far not a single phone call has been returned. It has been a month since I was on set and noticed several union violations. I called the Guild to report the violation since the producers owed me money and were blatantly attempting to violate the union rules. Now I know why. Apparently, the "new and improved" union doesn't care and will not take any action whatsoever on the behalf of union members. Which means either they are lazy, apathetic or would prefer to allow producers take advantage of actors. This is disgraceful. Shame on you. What do I pay my dues for, anyway? To pay the salaries of people who can't be bothered to return a phone call? EEEEEEEEEK! Me thinks not. If you're just starting out and considering joining, know this going in-- there will be little support or help if you need them to back you up. read more

Easily accessible and very helpful security at front desk. Very informative about another set of elevators to help with lesser foot traffic in hall read more

As an independent filmmaker working in Los Angeles for over 4 years and helping support the industry on the much lower end, I loathe the way SAG-AFTRA (formerly Screen Actors Guild) treats the little guys. For each of my last three productions, I have found it nearly impossible to get a timely response on any question I have re: paperwork. Your "rep" who is supposed to be making sure things stay organized often is unavailable and takes about two weeks to respond to an email on average. As a producer the thing I least understand is why the operators in the "theatrical contract" department cannot answer general questions re: the myriad confusing contracts they make you fill out. What is the purpose of having them if they just re-route the call to my "Rep", which actually just consists of being put on hold for 20+, getting frustrated, and hanging up without my questions being answered (what has caused me to write this scathing review). Fact of the matter is, Hollywood needs a whole bunch of reforms - especially amongst the various guilds and unions. With all the tentpole crap franchises being produced in association with SAG, DGA, PGA, etc. its no wonder we are all out of work. read more

Downhill and loss of credibility since the union merger last spring. (I write this as someone who has been in both unions for a couple of years). While I have been fortunate to be able to work in the industry, I cannot respect a 'guild' that merges two unions yet still splits the health care & pension. read more

Actors Center. Great facility and a helpful staff make this a haven for actors.

I dig my union and have been in it for decades. I have to give 4 stars instead of 5 for a few important reasons. 1) because I know we have a board of 40 and Apple has a board of 8 and those extra 32 make things a lot slower and harder to get done efficiently. 2) because their credit union (Aftra-Sag Federal credit Union) was sold to big bankers and now has our unions name, charges all sorts of hidden fees and hidden in its membership contract gets complete control of your residual payments (which no bank in the world requests from a member). 3) because only those union members that earn health insurance every year should be permitted to vote that year on leadership so that long term non-working don't run the guild with no stakes involved. 4) I respect the fighting against big studios but am sad the small indies have to go thru so much hell to work with our union with huge deposits and little clear support. I suggest every micro/indie producer should be given one chance with no deposits and have easy-fast clearances and if they screw up they are on a red-list and have to pay bigger deposits, etc. I am very appreciative that our union has a pension and health system though...I never thought as a silly young man to think of such things and am vested with a pension! read more

SAG is a union of screen actors of more than 125000 members, where approximately half of them are in the Greater Los Angeles area. In their lobby they have lists of SAG features that are filming in the L.A. area, which can be helpful to those who are trying to become SAG eligible. Some television shows, particularly the longer running shows also come under SAG jurisdiction. The initiation fee alone is $2277 (in Los Angeles) and there also membership dues in addition to the joining fee. Most SAG members don't make a lot of money from working on SAG projects, and these days when SAG members manage to get SAG work, it is common for it to be in a different state than which they live. Also remember that SAG doesn't get you SAG work. The rates for working on SAG projects can be different from one another, e.g. SAG background work on a SAG new media project can be as low as $64 for 8 hours work i.e. minimum wage. SAG has had problems with its internal politics in the recent past; there was an 11 month dispute in 2008/2009, and a 6 month strike in 2000. Only join SAG if you want to do union principal acting; if you want to do anything else e.g. directing, writing, producing, filmmaking, then don't join SAG. read more