Talent manager and film producer Bruce Edwin offers free, ongoing advice for actors, models, and bands on how to do the right things in Hollywood. These secrets are rarely taught in school. Find out what industry professionals aren't telling you.
ANSWER YOUR PHONE: Don’t tell casting, an
agency, or manager how busy you are, that you can’t answer
your phone readily, and that it would be easier for you to call
them. Trust me, models and talent are usually not more busy than
an agent, manager, or casting, unless you are a star or making
six figures annually, and even then you still might not be. And
no one really cares if you have a busy life any way. What they
care about is if you answer your darn phone and can be
communicated with on their schedule and their terms. Remember,
they do not need you, you need them.
SPLIT SHEET: A split sheet is a breakdown of the
songs authors, the percent of ownership for each writer, the name
of the publisher and percent of ownership for each publisher, and
the year and month the work was finished being created. Split
sheets are essential to protect artist rights, and when getting a
talent manager who assists getting you a record deal.
A&R: Artist and Repertoire, this is generally
the development person at records labels whose finds, with the
assistance of their talent scout, develops and handles
talent.
PUBLICIST: Can be in house or independent. The
Publicist is the person working for the band or label, on behalf
of the band, to get the artist interviews, reviews, previews, and
press and media coverage in all formats including terrestrial
radio, digital, satellite, web, blog, TV, film placement, talk
show circuit, daily print, weekly, monthly, regional, national,
international, in store appearances, and more.
TOUR PUBLICIST: handles publicity only for the
specific tour for a band or bands.
IN HOUSE PR: Publicist at the record
label.
RIDER: An added part of a contract that is
particular to the performers and their demands.
BACKLINE: the necessary gear for a gig
that’s onstage including drum kit, mics, mic stands, amps,
etc. Most venues have a backline, but never assume, always ask
and get detail, and what will be available to you.
PHONER: A phone interview between media and
artist.
TOUR SUPPORT: Can refer to an opener
(opening act that plays first), backline, tour bus, merchandise,
and the like, or all of the above. Major labels often provide
tour support to their artists.
PAY TO PLAY: When the venue charges the artist up-front money to play there, or when they put in the contract that a certain number of tickets must be
sold, or the booker will owe the house money. Pay to play deals
are notorious in L.A, which the industry had a big reaction
against in the 90’s, but now is more common nation-wide, to
prevent the house or promoter from losing money.
THE HOUSE: The music venue.
IN HOUSE: Can refer to in the music venue, in
the record label, or self contained within a unit.
PROMOTER: Can be the booker, or merely one doing
promotion. The promoter can be independent, or work in house for
the venue or label.
BOOKER: music booker, the one that is the broker
between the buyer (house or promoter) and seller (band, agent,
manager, or label).
BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated): U.K. based
musicians organization that must be utilized (or ASCAP) by any
artist to register their songs before making public or
shopping. www.bmi.com
ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors &
Publishers): U.S. based musicians organization that must be
utilized (or BMI) by any artist to register their songs before
making them public or shopping. www.ascap.com
SHOPPING: the action of an artist looking for a
record deal or representational deal.
OPENER: The artist that plays first on a bill.
Often there is a first, second, or even third opener, with the
last opener being the one that plays just before the headliner is
up.
HEADLINER: The main billing of a show, usually,
and hopefully- but not always – the most popular act of the
bill.
THE BILL: The talent line up for a particular
gig.
P.D.’s: Per Diem, or Per Day. The amount
of money paid to a band each day by management or the label when
they are gigging, which usually covers just food and drink money
for smaller bands, and for larger acts can be much more.
THE GIG: The show, the performance.
SOUND CHECK: the time before an artist performs
when they run through a portion or all of the set at the house
with the sound tech. Most major acts have their option for a
sound check that goes as long as they want, up to the duration of
the full set, although some may not opt for that long. Less
established artists will only get a sound check for a few songs,
or may opt for the first part of a few songs. If a band is
treated poorly, or things are backed up, an artist may get no
sound check. More established artists have in their contracts or
riders that they must have a sound check.
I hope this has helped many of you. I will continue more in the
next issue about music terms, and also cover one of the biggest
deal killers of all, and how to avoid it. Be sure to check out
back issues of this series of articles found in the
‘archives’ section by searching "How to Succeed." As always, if you have questions or want further free
advice, you can call my office. Tel: 310-226-7176