1.) Make sure you get the same royalty that the independent production company receives with the record company. Also, negotiate a lower limit of at least 15% as an all-inclusive royalty so you don`t get stuck if the production company negotiates a bad license rate for itself. «I am proud of the preliminary agreement we have reached with Canadian producers and studios,» said Marie Kelly, ActRA`s National Chief Negotiator and National Executive Director. «I congratulate and thank our dedicated bargaining team for working late at night and on weekends to advance the needs of our diverse members. Through hard work on both sides of the table, we were able to overcome a complex set of issues and negotiate the best solution for our Canadian screen industry. Our eligible members now have the opportunity to review the details of the preliminary agreement and vote on the improvement program. 3.) Some owners of independent production companies are really valuable team members. It can be extremely valuable to have an established and reputable producer vouch for you and negotiate on your behalf, rather than approaching labels like a lone wolf. If you build a relationship of trust with your producer and he is really worth his salt, it can be very beneficial. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2021 — The Alliance des artistes canadiens du cinéma, de la télévision et de la radio (ACTRA), the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) have reached a preliminary agreement on a new three-year term of the Independent Production Agreement (API). There are two types of agreements: the first are contracts with a single artist, the second are multi-artist or «label» contracts.

In this article, we will discuss the contracts of a single artist. 1.) They are a little more accessible. In many cases, artists who may not have been able to sign a recording contract directly with a major label can still launch their career by signing an independent production contract. Once your career gains momentum, you can grab the attention of a major label and abandon the independent company. 2.) Your royalties can improve significantly. If you sign with a reputable independent production company, the royalties you receive can be much higher than those you could acquire yourself as a freelance artist. In this way, you can ride the coat tails of the independent company. 3.) Request the right to approve the distributor that the production company uses. ABOUT THE AQPM The Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) represents 150 independent companies involved in the production or co-production of film, television and digital content for all screens in French and English. aqpm.ca ABOUT THE CMLCAThe Canadian Media Producers Association is the national advocacy group for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production and distribution of English-language content for television, film and digital media channels. We work to promote the continued success of the Canadian manufacturing sector and a bright future for our members` diverse content for national and international audiences.cmpa.ca 2. Letters of incentive still exist in independent production agreements and are actually more likely to be invoked than in an agreement with a loan company.

The Independent Production Agreement (API) sets out the terms, conditions and rates for actors in front of and behind the camera who participate in English-language film, television and media productions in Canada, with the exception of British Columbia, which operates under a separate collective agreement. A single artist contract is when an independent company enters into an agreement with a distributor for a particular artist. Functionally, this is almost the same as a deal you would have with your loan company. Click here for our article on multi-artist offers. Sometimes referred to as a label contract, a multi-artist agreement occurs when an independent company agrees to deliver recordings from multiple artists to a distributor. 2.) Lack of autonomy. In an independent production agreement, the independent company will negotiate your agreement on your behalf, giving you much less control and fewer opportunities to enter into your agreement with the label. In the end, you have no say in the deal that the independent production company makes with the label. 4.) Request a proportionate share of all audit recoveries received by the independent production company. Valérie BastienAssociation québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) vbastien@aqpm.ca Independent production contracts can be alternatives to using your own loan company.

In an independent production contract, an artist would sign with the independent company, which in turn would enter into an agreement with a record company. These are commonly referred to as «upstream» relationships: an independent production company enters into an agreement with the artist to develop their work, including the conditions under which the production company can «upstream» the artist to a major label on predetermined terms (e.B. royalties, profit sharing, etc.). Contact me if you would like to discuss independent production contracts or unique artist contracts. As part of my media law practice, I regularly review, design and negotiate these types of agreements. «AQPM would like to thank the members of all the bargaining committees involved,» said Hélène Messier, President and Chief Executive Officer of AQPM. «This agreement will ensure the stability of the industry for the next three years and maintain the partnership between producers and performers.» «As the Canadian film and television production industry continues to face the many challenges of the pandemic, this agreement provides the stability that is essential to the success of our sector,» said Sean Porter, Senior Negotiator and Senior Director, National Industrial Relations and Counsel for the CMPA. .