Why Record Union?
So what CAN happen?
Say you record a jingle...for starters, jingles run in 13-week cycles, so if it continues to play, you receive a check every 13 weeks. And that jingle could be used in a movie or on a record, resulting in new use payments. Members of KC and the Sunshine Band are still making money on things they did 20 years ago.
Re-use too!
That movie you played for could come out in videocassette or be shown on TV. One band made 4-figures sidelining in a movie. The next year, they received a check in the mid-3 figures when the movie went to videocassette. Then the movie went to pay TV...Cable TV...free TV...get the idea? $1.2 million was distributed in re-use last year!
How do I know if I should get a check?
Rest assured that if your recording is reused or picked up for new use, you will get the money due to you. The AFM has a department devoted exclusively to monitoring for new- and re-use. They continuously audit to check for payments and money due.
National contracts to fit any project
The producer thinks there’s no budget to record union? There are many different categories of scales, and we may be able to find something that will work. Some scales are as low as $25/hour! The Limited Pressings rates have no budget restrictions for the producer, and the Low Budget category has the added bonus of participation in the Special Payment Fund. Is the producer worried about committing to an agreement? They can sign a special letter that only applies to that one job. Or (with an indemnification letter) the recording studio can become signatory. Even the leader can sign an agreement enabling pension contributions to be made. It can be easier than they think.
Bandstand Agreement
This is a free service of documentation and administration provided by the Local for its members. It protects the master tapes from outside entities who may take the opportunity to use the recording(s) without the group’s authorization. The service also provides protection for the members of the group from each other should the group disband.
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