Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

standard industry rates

Im going into the studio to make a song for my first solo demo. The producer has triple platnum credits - in the end it should be high quality. He wants 5pts plus co-writer credits on the track. Is that normal? he wont work with me without a vocal coach, my harmonies arent as good as they can be. So I hired a vocal coach who has been singing backup for a famous band for over 30years. I hired her just to keep me on pitch and help with harmony, but now shes telling me I will never be able to do it alone and shes demanding to sing the backups for me and wants payment for that. She's changed my chorus and became co-writer. she also wants payment for being vocal arranger. I dont want to over concern myself with the motivations of others but I do want to make sure Im not being taken advantage of when it comes to the payments (points and work for hire) of these two very business savy professionals. The fact is I need a lawyer to represent me when it comes to contracts and industry business deals because I know almost nothing and Im tired of feeling left out of the legal loop.


Asked on 6/20/03, 2:35 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Keith E. Cooper Keith E. Cooper, Esq.

Re: standard industry rates

Don't sign anything without having an EXPERIENCED music attorney look at it. You should be aware that the producer may drop you if you don't agree to his terms, but a good attorney should be able to improve the deal.

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Answered on 6/22/03, 3:15 pm
H.M. Torrey The Law Offices of H.M. Torrey

Re: standard industry rates

your concerns are very valid and all too real. its is VERY easy to be "taken" in the movie and/or any other type of entertainment related industry, especially if u are just starting out. if you would like legal representation with your music projects, now and when you "make it big", feel free to email me directly with how you would like to proceed. it would be an honor to help a "fellow musician" out in any manner i can.

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Answered on 6/20/03, 2:44 pm


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