PRODUCERS: HERE’S WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET A PLACEMENT
It’s a great day in the life of a sound designer when they get that first email, text or call that one of their beats has been placed with an artist on a major record label. The great news is that a getting a placement can open up other opportunities for producers and get the momentum rolling. The alternative is that artists, attorneys and A&Rs often sniff inexperience and take advantage of your first major label placement opportunity. A common question I get from producers is: What should I do when a manger/artist/attorney contacts me about a placement?
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU ARE GETTING A PLACEMENT?
The easiest answer is don’t agree to anything until you have discussed with your attorney or manager. One of the biggest mistakes I see from inexperienced producers is agreeing to material terms before they have a representative involved. “Material terms” in this context would be your fee/advance, producer points and publishing splits. Often times if you do not have a representative involved, A&Rs and artists are more likely to offer you less respectable terms. Bringing in an attorney or having an experienced producer manager, should alleviate some of those concerns. The right manager or attorney could have the vital relationships in place to make sure you are compensated properly…
