what kind of lawyer does a producer need

Do you need a lawyer to produce music?

Oct 30, 2020 · Lawyers can work in a law firm with other lawyers, with a partner, or practice by themselves in a solo practice. In most cases, a lawyer will be chosen based on the type of case, or practice area, and the location of the case. Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases.

Do I need a lawyer to hire an indie producer?

Mar 02, 2022 · An entertainment lawyer can be an essential professional resource for a producer, director or other creative working in film or television. However, knowing what an entertainment lawyer does, how those skill sets can both protect and boost your career and where to find one who suits your needs can all together feel like an overwhelming proposition.

What do lawyer specialize in?

Jun 12, 2009 · Music lawyers are under the umbrella of entertainment law, and many specialize in a certain part of the music industry. Understanding what you need legal help with will make it easier for you to find a lawyer who is up to the task. Knowing whether you are looking to build a long-term relationship with a lawyer is also something to consider.

Do I need a lawyer for my business?

Sep 08, 2008 · Though the kind of representation that you choose depends on your individual situation, most beatmakers/producers only need a lawyer, and at times a beat broker, but not a producer-manager. Beatmakers/producers are already self-contained and usually very organized.

What do production lawyers do?

Production counsel makes sure everyone is properly classified as either an employee or an independent contractor. They handle workplace disputes so that work stoppage is avoided or minimized. Production counsel also handles immigration visas for cast members, crew members, and any below-the-line personnel.Jun 21, 2017

What is the most needed type of lawyer?

The Top 10 Lawyer Types You're Most Likely to NeedCivil Litigation Lawyer (a.k.a. Trial Attorney) ... Criminal Defense Lawyer. ... Defamation Lawyer (a.k.a. Libel and Slander Attorney) ... Business Lawyer (litigation or transactional) ... Family Lawyer (a.k.a. Domestic Relations Attorney; a.k.a. Divorce Lawyer) ... Traffic Lawyer.More items...•Dec 31, 2015

Do record labels need lawyers?

A record label lawyer is responsible for overseeing the legality of contracts and other transactions between musicians and the parties who pay them. They can negotiate contracts between artists and record companies, as well as copyright agreements and other binding documents.Oct 4, 2019

Why do artist need lawyers?

Trademark and Copyright - Prevent Others From Using Your Work. Artists need help doing a trademark or copyright. They need that type of advice from a lawyer or they can find themselves in litigation. People will also take artists' art, design, or photos and post them on social media channels or web pages.

What's the easiest type of lawyer to be?

However, there are many sectors of law which are less stressful:Real estate law.Intellectual property law.High Street family law.Government lawyers.Working In-House.Jul 9, 2021

What type of lawyer is the highest paid?

Medical Attorneys Medical lawyers are among the highest-paid types of lawyers and earn one of the highest median salaries in the legal field.

How much does a music lawyer cost?

Typically, a music lawyer will charge 5%. It could be 5% of a specific contract or 5% of your earnings from the music and entertainment business and your fee agreement should be clear on this.Jan 8, 2018

Can a lawyer be a musician?

Lawyer-turned musician, Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz the Bahd Guy or Falz, has said that some of the skills he learnt as a lawyer are now helping in his musical career. The University of Reading, England-trained lawyer stated this during an Instagram Live session with his fans.Jan 2, 2021

Who is an art lawyer?

Art attorneys advise on the various art specific laws that exist at the state and federal level and affect the relationships and transactions among collectors, artists, dealers, and other art world participants.

What do real estate lawyers do?

Real estate lawyers deal with rights concerning land, water, and structures. Perhaps you need to determine whether a lien has been asserted against your property, or you need to carve out an easement. Maybe you need to divide one lot into two or more lots, or change the zoning classification, or move a boundary line.

What is a traffic lawyer?

Traffic Lawyer. Traffic lawyers are often considered a type of criminal-defense lawyer, but there’s a big difference between being accused of murder and being accused of running a red light, and different considerations come into play in formulating defense strategy.

What is transactional lawyer?

The transactional lawyer will incorporate your startup, help secure funding, draft your employment and non-disclosure agreements, issue stock, spin off subsidiaries, and countless other tasks associated with operating your business. Unlike the business litigation attorney, the transactional lawyer does not go to court.

Why do you need a defamation attorney?

You want a defamation attorney if you need to take someone to court for defaming your character through libel and/or slander, or if you’ve been accused of causing harm to the reputation of another individual or business by making false and defamatory statements of your own.

What to do if you have been injured in a car accident?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, find yourself a personal injury attorney. These lawyers are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and helping you obtain the maximum recovery in light of the liability and damages issues involved. Personal injury lawyers don’t just handle car-accident cases. Typically, this is the type of lawyer you need if you’ve suffered a physical injury as the result of someone else’s negligence. Examples include “premises liability” cases (such as where you’ve slipped and fallen at a commercial establishment due to an unsafe condition), medical malpractice cases, and animal attacks.

What are some examples of premises liability?

Examples include “premises liability” cases (such as where you’ve slipped and fallen at a commercial establishment due to an unsafe condition), medical malpractice cases, and animal attacks. 10. Real Estate Lawyer. Real estate lawyers deal with rights concerning land, water, and structures.

What do you want from your ex wife?

You want a divorce. You want custody of your kids. Your ex-wife wants an increase in her spousal support and you’d rather not give it to her. You’re getting married and you want to ensure you won’t lose half of everything you own if you ever get a divorce. If your legal needs involve family relationships and obligations, you need a family lawyer.

What is entertainment lawyer?

What is an entertainment lawyer? Unlike divorce or corporate lawyers, an entertainment lawyer represents and protects the interests of creatives, companies and others in the many areas of the entertainment industry, such as film, television, new media, theater, publishing and music.

Which states offer competitive financial advantages for productions?

Many states outside of California and New York offer competitive financial advantages for productions, making it attractive to creatives on a budget to film in these other locations with local crew and other resources at their disposal.

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property, or IP, is big business. From a screenwriter’s spec script to a musician’s original song, anything created within this industry necessitates protection from those who may want to buy it, option it, license it—or infringe upon it with unauthorized use. An entertainment lawyer can see to it that a client’s intellectual property is handled properly and protected when copyright or trademark issues arise.

Can an emerging creative lawyer be an entertainment lawyer?

And while true that these professionals can foster your career and provide some of the same benefits as an entertainment lawyer, namely industry connections and career advice, neither have the legal expertise of an entertainment lawyer.

Do entertainment lawyers provide free consultations?

Yes, most entertainment lawyers will provide a brief complimentary consultation. Keep in mind, though, that this consultation isn’t about getting free information for a legal issue. Rather, the consultation is to determine if that particular lawyer will be a good fit for your needs. 10.

Is an entertainment lawyer an employee?

Is an entertainment lawyer hired as an employee or contractor? Unless you are potentially forming a company that would require the ongoing services of an entertainment lawyer, they would not be hired as an employee. Rather, they are a contractor who is part of a law firm or the proprietor of their own business. 16.

Do entertainment lawyers charge hourly?

Very commonly, lawyers charge an hourly rate, but it’s possible to hire one who uses flat rates for particular services as well. Should you hire an entertainment lawyer for a court case, you may even be able to negotiate having their fee—or contingency rate—come out of the expected settlement.

Who is Heather McDonald?

If you're entering into any kind of deal in the music industry where money and contracts are involved, you should probably hire an entertainment or music lawyer.

Should a lawyer be present during a contract negotiation?

If possible, your lawyer should be present with you during any negotiations with the other party. At the very least, your lawyer needs to read over and approve any contracts or other documents before you sign them.

What is a producer manager?

Normally, a manager is someone who manages the entire career of a client.

How long does a producer manager's representation period last?

Typically, the representation period will last two years or more.

What is a beat broker?

A beat broker is someone who promotes the beats of a beatmaker/producer. A beat broker can be a friend, a music insider, or anyone who has access to a network of recording artists, in particular, recording artists who are likely to be in the market for new music material. A beat broker’s only responsibility is to shop the beats of the beatmaker/producer whom they represent. They need not be skilled in negotiating the terms and sale of the beats that they’re shopping. Because of this limited (but critical) scope, an agreement between a beat broker and beatmaker/producer can be rather simple, straightforward, and short in duration. A beat broker can be commissioned for a 10-percent finder’s fee, worked out over a per-beat or per-situation agreement.

What is a beatmaker in rap?

Hip-hop/rap beatmakers/producers provide beats for other recording artists to write and perform to. Unlike other recording artists, who sell their persona and image to the public as much as their music, beatmakers/producers sell their music to other recording artists. They usually do not worry about their persona or image standing in the public eye.

What is beat making in hip hop?

Hip-hop beat-making/production is a very meticulous and often-arduous craft, which is usually orchestrated in a solitary environment. It is this solitary dimension to beat-making and production that prompts the need for representation. Beatmakers/producers need a representative, someone to pitch and/or broker the sale of their beats.

What is representation in music?

Representation, in the form of a manager or a lawyer, is an essential asset to any recording artist trying to succeed in the music industry . But for the hip-hop beatmaker/producer, whose role is different from that of a typical recording artist, their representation can look different from the traditional performer's.

Is hip hop rap a new phenomenon?

It’s important to point out that hip-hop/rap beat-making/production is a relatively new and unique phenomenon in the recording industry. As a result, many recording artists are still trying to navigate their way through the existing model.

What is a producer in music?

Often in pop, R&B, and especially hip hop, producers are creating new music by providing beats or even complete music floors over which an artist sings or a rapper ‘spits.’. In that case, the producer is creating two copyrights: the sound recording and a part of the musical composition.

What is a producer's agreement with an artist?

Generally, when an artist or indie label hires a producer to create a beat and fully produce one or more tracks, the agreement will be a work for hire, but the producer usually receives an upfront and can negotiate a “back-end” royalty.

What is a Neptunes production?

A Neptunes production has drum machine sounds, but also usually employs synthesizer riffs, sampling keyboard and other percussive sounds. The Neptunes created some of the biggest hip hop, R&B and pop hits of the late 1990s and 2000s. So, acquiring a beat from them or Pharrell could be very expensive.

What happens to a work for hire agreement?

If the agreement is a sale, it will usually be structured as a ‘work for hire.’ In a work for hire agreement, the producer loses all rights in their beat, including the copyright and the right to use the beat again for any purpose. If, on the other hand, the grant of rights is a non-exclusive license, the producer keeps the copyright, and retains the right to use it or make other deals.

What is copyright law?

As we discussed in the prior installment on ‘sync’ licenses, copyright law protects ‘musical works’ including songs and any accompanying words as well as orchestral works, librettos, and other musical compositions. But copyright law also protects ‘sound recordings,’ that is, recordings of musical compositions.

What is mechanical royalty?

In exchange for that permission, the producer usually receives a ‘mechanical’ royalty, i.e., a royalty tied to the use of the underlying musical composition contained in the record.

What type of music does an artist use?

Many artists, particularly in hip hop and R&B but also in pop music, work with drum, digital or other percussive “beats” as core elements of their recordings. Often, an artist or indie label will search for the right beat on which to base a song.

What are the duties of a lawyer?

A lawyer has several duties which go beyond the basic court trial. Researching information, drafting documents, mediating disputes and providing counsel to clients about their legal rights are just some responsibilities involved depending on the area of law.

What does a criminal lawyer do during trial?

During trial, the criminal lawyer will advocate for the defendant and argue motions (motions to dismiss or motions to suppress), and also argue appeals - all motions and appeals need to be drafted and filed by the lawyer in advance. Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer.

What is a bankruptcy lawyer?

Bankruptcy Lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer assists individuals or organizations that make legal declarations stating their inability to pay their creditors. Understanding the process and filling out the bankruptcy forms can be daunting.

How many hours do lawyers work?

A lawyer can work in a law firm, private company, or even work for state as a public defender or for the prosecution. Most attorneys work 50-80 hours per week, including weekends. The newly hired attorneys usually serve as clerks in charge of researching information and aiding in preparation for upcoming trials.

What does an animal lawyer do?

An animal lawyer will advise clients, research cases, review and prepare legal documents, conduct depositions, create pet trusts, argue cases in court, file class action lawsuits and a variety of other duties. They may also publish case studies in journals dedicated to the study of animal law.

What is legal separation?

In the case of legal separations, a divorce lawyer will grant the separation in the form of a court order (a legal separation is a process by which a married couple may formalize a separation while remaining legally married). When there are children involved, a divorce lawyer will help set the terms for child support and child custody.

What is tort law?

This type of lawyer tends to practice primarily in the area of law known as tort law, and provides legal service to those who claim to have been injured as a result of the negligence of another person or entity.

Essential Information

Film producers are responsible for the behind-the-scenes decisions for movies, such as those regarding film finances, script selection and cast management. Film producers aren't always required to have certain educational credentials.

Education Requirements

Successful producers need good business skills and creativity. Although producers may be hired based on their experience and reputation, some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree.

Salary Information

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), producers in the motion picture and video industry made an average annual salary of $113,860 as of May 2020 ( www.bls.gov ). In the same year, directors and producers spanning all applicable fields, including radio, television, theater and advertising, made an average annual income of $96,690.

Job Duties

The business decisions associated with films are managed by producers. They might choose scripts, find funding, hire staff and supervise production crews. Producers may also negotiate salaries and uphold union contracts. Producers are also involved with a film's development and provide approval on creative decisions.