Know about the sound and music industries and how they relate to the broader
entertainment industry
Task 1: Areas
of the Music Industry
·
Produce an article for the client commenting critically on the
four areas below, weighing up strengths and weaknesses, pros & cons (eg the
benefits of small independent labels compared to the major labels):
P1:
Describe four areas of the music industry
A music artist is an individual that creates and releases music through a record label or independently. Working as a music artist requires a lot of physical and mental effort because you constantly have the live a lifestyle that can be very taxing and stressful . As a music artist you face interminttent periods of unemployment, long nights in the studio recording music, traveling constantly, performing your music and you also have to deal with the uncertainty of not getting a constant income due to frequent rejections for example from managers of a venue rejecting your request to perform a gig at their venue. Although it can be a risky profession, it is one of the most over-saturated occupations today.
2. MANAGER
A manager is an individual or company that guides the professional career of a music artist in the entertainment industry. The manager overlooks the day-to-day business affairs of the artist. This is usually the first person on the team of any music artist. In the early stages of a music artists’ career, the manager usually assumes the role of business manager, as well as booking agent. As the music artist’s career grows it will become necessary to hire individuals who’s sole duties are the responsibility of those position but until that becomes the case the manager usually handles them. The manager receives a compensation of 10-20% of the music artists’ gross income. The exact percentage, and sometimes the monies the percentage will be applied, is negotiated between the music artist and the manager. This commonly happens early in the music artist’s career before any major income is being generated.
3. MERCHANDISE
Merchandise is what artists use to further promote themselves within the industry. Bands merchandise consists of clothing, accessories and posters. larger bands will often have exclusive merchandise that they sell onsite at a concert, this encourages their fans to buy it because its limited. However for smaller bands starting off they use merchandise to promote themselves. By their fans wearing their merchandise it will encourage other poeple to listen to their music. Nowadays bands set up their own website and set up an online shop system this is for the fans who cant afford to go to the bands gigs or cant make it but can still buy the merc online. The only problem with merchandise is that bands can get ripped off. For example if a bands album artwork becomes iconic or very popular then other people will recognise this and start selling their own merc with the artowork on it at a cheaper price thus encouraging the public to buy their stuff rather than the bands offical merc. In order to encourage the fans or the general public to buy your merc then make sure it is of quality for example you dont want the print on a shirt to wear away as soon as its put in the wash. Another good thing to do with merc is sell special items. For example if you do a gig or a tour then have tour tops so that your fans can feel like they were part of the tour.
4. MUSICAL DIRECTOR
A musical director is someone who sets the pace of a musical perfromance for example making sure everyone is playing the right notes and the correct speed. they also lead rehearsals before the piece is performed so that it is to the proffesional standard they desire. Throughout the performance they also balance the mixture of singing and instruments to that one doesnt drown out the other. Muscial directors are mainly involved with classical or contemporary music and will direct large orchestras and choruses. Aswell as their live performances many muscial directors will be asked to score a soundtrack for an upcoming film. This is because films use lots of instuments and the music has lots of movements and they need someone to be at the helm making sure everything is in order. Musical directors are also involved with musical performances on stage and are situated at the bottom of the stage conducting both the musicians and the performers on stage.
P1:
Describe four areas of the music industry
M1:
Explain four areas of the music industry
D1:
Comment critically on four areas of the music industry
LO2
Know the professional roles within a chosen area of the music industry
Pass
A record producer's job is to realise the full potential of an artist or band, by supervising their work in the recording studio, often to an extent that the artists themselves had not previously imagined.
During the course of this work, both in preparation before the actual recording, and during the recording process, the producer must be supportive, challenging, inspiring, demanding, and do whatever it takes to bring out the best in the artist, and capture the highest level of performance at that particular time.
A lot of artists are understandably nervous when recording new works, and lack the confidence which possible subsequent success later brings. The producer must display his confidence in their material and transmit that confidence to the artist so that they can deliver performances worthy of the songs.
Confidence, leadership, diplomacy, and of course, creative musical talent, are all qualities which a producer must possess. A thorough knowledge and familiarity with all of the technology used in contemporary and classic recording is essential.
Some producers develop from roots in musical composition and live performance while others arrive via the studio route, having spent time as recording engineers, and studying, by association, the work of the talented producers with whom they have collaborated.
No matter which path the producer follows, he or she must develop facility in a number of areas, which include musical analysis, song arrangement, technical fluency, familiarity with the latest studio techniques, and the skill to combine these factors in a skilful and creative fashion.
When it comes to studio techniques and style, no two producers work in the same way. Some are very "hands on", in that they involve themselves in every minute detail of the musical arrangement of the artists' songs, in effect becoming an extra member of the band. Whereas others take more of a back seat, subtlely guiding the artist through the maze of multitudinous options available when making contemporary records. Some producers move between the two roles, depending on the needs of the artist and the music.
P2:
M2:
Explain the roles associated with an area of the music industry
D2:
Comment critically on the roles associated with an area of the music industry
LO3
Producer Agreements are entered into by the producer and the record label for the production of an artist's record.
Production Agreements are increasingly common, yet distinct. By signing a production agreement, an artist enters into a form of recording contract with a production company to make a record, which, if successful, will be sold or licensed to a third-party label for release.
The Producer Agreement
Prior to starting work on a record, the producer should try to finalize a producer agreement. This contract provides the only real means of protection should the record label decide to switch producers halfway through a project, rework your demos, or simply not pay you. In this situation, you'll need written evidence of the parties' agreement.
It is typically the record label that funds the upfront recording costs, with the producer providing a written assignment of ownership in the sound recording copyright(s) to the record label. For the sake of clarity (and anticipated label profit!), the artist is also called upon to do the same in their recording contract.
In addition to the creative and technical side of the job, the producer normally takes on a number of administrative duties, to support the smooth running of the studio sessions. Often, producers will be asked to obtain signed consent and release forms from session musicians thus allowing the record label to exploit all performances on the album or single. It's not uncommon for the producer to be asked to obtain permission for the use of any uncleared samples as well. The record label should hold responsibility for that, plus any associated cost, and this needs to be clarified at the outset, as sample clearance can greatly increase the total album budget. Also the record label won't accept contractual delivery of any master recording until all samples have been cleared, which will delay payment to the producer.
The producer agreement with the label will state that the producer has to deliver the master recordings to a technically and commercially acceptable standard. This condition, too, might have the effect of delaying the payment to the producer, or a final tranche of an advance, until the label are satisfied they have a commercial record on their hands. What may amount to an artistic difference shouldn't prevent the producer from getting paid for their work, and in practice the label A&R person will ask the producer to tweak the album until it satisfies label expectations.
Producers are paid by a combination of fees, advances and royalties, and will usually charge a rate per 'master' recording (usually a song on an album), depending on the status of the producer and artist in question.
P3:
M3:
Explain the contracts associated with an area of the music industry
D3:
LO4
Be able to create a business plan for a product or service
Follow link below:
P4:
Create a business plan that partially meets the needs of a service or product
M4:
Create a business plan that fully meets the needs of a service or product
D4:
Create a business plan that completely and in detail meets the needs of a service or product
LO5
Know the importance of royalties in the sound and music industry
Source of infomation: http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
MCPS - MCPS sits under the broader PRS for Music brand, and licenses your mechanical (reproduction) rights and pays your mechanical royalties.
Source of information: http://www.prsformusic.com/creators/memberresources/MCPSroyalties/Pages/MCPS.aspx
PPL - Established in 1934, PPL exists to ensure that those who invest their time, talent and money to make recorded music are fairly paid for their work. PPL licenses recorded music played in public or broadcast and then distributes the licence fees to its performer and recording rightholder members.
Source of information: http://www.ppluk.com/About-Us/
Historical background and the importance of royalties
Describe the importance of licensing and royalties in the music industry.
Royalties are extremely important because its what people like artists use to get most of their money. Everytime their songs are played on the radio or downloaded or performed live then Musicians and artists receive royalties through different 'streams' depending on their musical activities and involvement in the creation or exploitation of musical works and recordings. It’s important to know which streams applies to you especially which collection societies you may need to join in order to receive royalties. PRS for Music represents songwriters and publishers, collecting and distributing licence fees when members music has been performed or broadcast. MCPS which is now part of PRS for Music, collects and distributes licence fees to writers and publishers when their music is released or sold on CD or as a download. PPL collect and distribute royalties from recorded music to recording owners and performers when it’s either broadcast or played in public.
Artists signed to recording companies receive a separate royalty stream direct from their record company. This can be between 12-18% of the Published Price to Dealers, which is pretty much the price at which record companies sell the CD to retailers. It can also be between 8-12% of the Retail Selling Price. The profit share model generally means that both artist and record company share profits 50/50 once costs are recouped, this model is quite common with independent labels.
For published songwriters, royalty income is split between the writer and publisher, often with 70% in favour of the writer. The writer’s share can be as low as 50% in some cases but The MU advises its members to aim for more than that. These deals that musicians and artists sign can impact on their careers forever, so contracts should always be checked out by a solicitor before signing.
Source of information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/posts/Copyright-deals-and-royalties-in-the-music-industry
Masters
The final masters are accepted and approved by the label. Metadata and tags are added to the songs. An ISRC number is aqquired by registiring with PPL. Production begins on making the CD's and Vinyls.
Metadata
Metadata is structured data which describes the characteristics of a resource. This includes information such as artists, title, product title, release date, duration, label.
Distribution
Independant labels will usually
Royalties
PRS For Music; Performing Right Society (PRS); Mechanical Copyright Protection Society
(MCPS); Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL); digital rights management (DRM); synchronisation fees; distribution of royalties to writers and publishers; piracy; illegal downloading
PRS - PRS for Music is the home of PRS and MCPS, representing the rights of over 100,000 members in the UK. We license organisations to play, perform or make available copyright music on behalf of our members and those of overseas societies, distributing the royalties to them fairly and efficiently. We promote and protect the value of copyright.(MCPS); Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL); digital rights management (DRM); synchronisation fees; distribution of royalties to writers and publishers; piracy; illegal downloading
Source of infomation: http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
MCPS - MCPS sits under the broader PRS for Music brand, and licenses your mechanical (reproduction) rights and pays your mechanical royalties.
Source of information: http://www.prsformusic.com/creators/memberresources/MCPSroyalties/Pages/MCPS.aspx
PPL - Established in 1934, PPL exists to ensure that those who invest their time, talent and money to make recorded music are fairly paid for their work. PPL licenses recorded music played in public or broadcast and then distributes the licence fees to its performer and recording rightholder members.
Source of information: http://www.ppluk.com/About-Us/
Historical background and the importance of royalties
P5:
Describe the importance of licensing and royalties in the music industry.
Royalties are extremely important because its what people like artists use to get most of their money. Everytime their songs are played on the radio or downloaded or performed live then Musicians and artists receive royalties through different 'streams' depending on their musical activities and involvement in the creation or exploitation of musical works and recordings. It’s important to know which streams applies to you especially which collection societies you may need to join in order to receive royalties. PRS for Music represents songwriters and publishers, collecting and distributing licence fees when members music has been performed or broadcast. MCPS which is now part of PRS for Music, collects and distributes licence fees to writers and publishers when their music is released or sold on CD or as a download. PPL collect and distribute royalties from recorded music to recording owners and performers when it’s either broadcast or played in public.
Artists signed to recording companies receive a separate royalty stream direct from their record company. This can be between 12-18% of the Published Price to Dealers, which is pretty much the price at which record companies sell the CD to retailers. It can also be between 8-12% of the Retail Selling Price. The profit share model generally means that both artist and record company share profits 50/50 once costs are recouped, this model is quite common with independent labels.
For published songwriters, royalty income is split between the writer and publisher, often with 70% in favour of the writer. The writer’s share can be as low as 50% in some cases but The MU advises its members to aim for more than that. These deals that musicians and artists sign can impact on their careers forever, so contracts should always be checked out by a solicitor before signing.
Source of information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/posts/Copyright-deals-and-royalties-in-the-music-industry
M5:
Explain the importance of licensing and royalties in the music industry.
D5:
Comment critically on the importance of licensing and royalties in the music industry.
Masters
The final masters are accepted and approved by the label. Metadata and tags are added to the songs. An ISRC number is aqquired by registiring with PPL. Production begins on making the CD's and Vinyls.
Metadata
Metadata is structured data which describes the characteristics of a resource. This includes information such as artists, title, product title, release date, duration, label.
Distribution
Independant labels will usually
Some have developed systems to promote a healthy market for music and deter theft. However, much more needs to be done. music UT
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