Producer Fee...True FEE or Advance?

[VegasMusician]

Guys...I am somewhat new here and I am unclear about this...maybe you can chime in and help me understand this...?

When you get a placement, is the Producer's Fee exactly that, a FEE in ADDITION to points, or is it simply an advance on the money generated by
those points...?

Thanks!

[chris carter]

There are no rules, ESPECIALLY in the last couple years.

But generally speaking, a label/artist/etc. will want to specify in the contract that the producer's fee is an advance against royalties and this is usually in fact the case.

[themaestro]

As i understand it, your producers fee should include a cash advance, a publishing split, and points (for machanicals). the cash advance has to be recouped before you receive further payment for your points

If i work on a project that i expect will have worthless points, i demand a higher fee...on the contrary, if i believe a project will enjoy high sales, i charge a lower fee to ensure the placement.

If you ever get jerked for your points or your publishing, charge a high fee!

[robmix]

A publishing split ? Who's getting that ???? I've never heard of that from any respectable producer.

[themaestro]

Originally Posted by robmix

A publishing split ? Who's getting that ???? I've never heard of that from any respectable producer.

splits?? what are you saying?? you dont get publishing??? i know producers who have received less than the standard 50%, i know producers who get NO publishing...BIG NAME CATS!!! Most A-list artists will demand that they get publishing on a song even if they dont write on it, and all of the real writers will suffer from a reduction in their share...If ever a producer has to relinquish part of their publishing share i think it is fair to demand more of an advance

[robmix]

Originally Posted by themaestro

splits?? what are you saying?? you dont get publishing??? i know producers who have received less than the standard 50%, i know producers who get NO publishing...BIG NAME CATS!!! Most A-list artists will demand that they get publishing on a song even if they dont write on it, and all of the real writers will suffer from a reduction in their share...If ever a producer has to relinquish part of their publishing share i think it is fair to demand more of an advance

If I write, I get my share. If I don't write on a track I don't ask for a piece.

I was only ever asked once to give up a piece of publishing by a big name artist that wasn't present for the writing sessions. I've had plenty show up and do nothing, and still expect their equal share. But I haven't seen any big name producers demand a piece of publishing when they weren't part of the writing, and that's what I thought you were getting at. I'm sure it happens, but I wouldn't say it's normal procedure.

[illynoise]

Originally Posted by robmix

If I write, I get my share. If I don't write on a track I don't ask for a piece.

I was only ever asked once to give up a piece of publishing by a big name artist that wasn't present for the writing sessions. I've had plenty show up and do nothing, and still expect their equal share. But I haven't seen any big name producers demand a piece of publishing when they weren't part of the writing, and that's what I thought you were getting at. I'm sure it happens, but I wouldn't say it's normal procedure.

Are we talking about Rap producers or Rock producers? Last time I checked (as a rap producer) ie making the music of the song, would entitle me to the publishing of that work or at least the portion of my contribution unless it is a work for hire situation.

This is what I've always negotiated. Maybe I misunderstood your post.....

[themaestro]

Originally Posted by robmix

If I write, I get my share. If I don't write on a track I don't ask for a piece.
But I haven't seen any big name producers demand a piece of publishing when they weren't part of the writing, and that's what I thought you were getting at. I'm sure it happens, but I wouldn't say it's normal procedure.

yeah, i think you misread what i said...i would never demand anything that i'm not entitled to....produce=write, producer's publishing/writer share=50%!! And no, i too have never seen a producer ask for more than 50%, but i have seen many artists who write ask for their 50% writing share as well as up to 20% of the producer's 50%!!

[themaestro]

Originally Posted by illynoise

Are we talking about Rap producers or Rock producers? Last time I checked (as a rap producer) ie making the music of the song, would entitle me to the publishing of that work or at least the portion of my contribution unless it is a work for hire situation.

This is what I've always negotiated. Maybe I misunderstood your post.....

thanks brutha!! i know wasn't trippin!!

[croger]

hey Maestro! I went to your blog.
that prince picture and quote is classic. I am still laughing my ass off. It is so true.

Originally Posted by themaestro

thanks brutha!! i know wasn't trippin!!

[robmix]

Originally Posted by themaestro

yeah, i think you misread what i said...i would never demand anything that i'm not entitled to....produce=write, producer's publishing/writer share=50%!! And no, i too have never seen a producer ask for more than 50%, but i have seen many artists who write ask for their 50% writing share as well as up to 20% of the producer's 50%!!

Ahh, we're all on the same page. I thought you were saying producers were asking for publishing as part of their producer's agreement, regardless of who wrote the song.