I am currently taking an “Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution” course at Full Sail University. Although class is coming to an end, I must say that I truly enjoyed it and I have learned a lot. As an up and coming artist, I was unaware of some of the things that I needed to make it in the music industry. From taking this course, I have learned how to find the right agents, how to create a query letter, a press kit, and how to find the correct sites for self-publishing. The greatest thing about this class is the fact that we are able to collaborate, give advice, tips, and share industry news. Although I am able to take in all this knowledge, other people may not be as fortunate. This course has inspired me to share my knowledge with those people. So every week, I will be posting a blog that relates to the entertainment industry or the music industry.
So for my first blog, I will be giving advice on how to find an agent and what to include in the contract. As an artist I have a habit of looking for a talent agent, publishing agent, and a music-booking agent. When looking for the right agent, it is always important to do research. Everyone isn’t lucky enough to know someone who is working in the entertainment industry, so this is why I encourage people to do their research. Today, it is much easier to just use the Internet to find an agent. Technology has also made it easier for those who do not live in a city that targets entertainment to find all types of agents. Online, we may run across dishonest people, so always remember to check the agent’s credentials. Once you find the agent that fits your needs, always remember to review the contract with your agent.
In the contract please remember to specify exactly what you are going to do. Whether it is singing, producing, writing, or other things dealing with the entertainment industry. The contract should not last longer then three years. Finally always discuss what you expect your agent to make, as in money. Normally, an agent will not make more the 10%, when it comes to certain things. So as an artist, my agent will receive 5% of personal appearances, 10% of generated revenue, and 10% for film, radio and TV.
Websites:
http://www.allmusicindustrycontacts.com/index.html
For my second blog, I would like to discuss an article that I came across a few days ago.
This article was based on an event that took place on May 5, 2011 at Drexel University. A few well-established women working in the music industry discussed gender barriers they broken to build success and they also gave the students industry advice. This panel of women included Rona Elliot, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame board member, Stacie George former WKDU DJ, Joan Myer who has worked for several well-known artists, and Vanessa Parr, who graduated from Berklee University. All of these women are doing completely different jobs in the industry, but they all agreed that the music industry was cutthroat and demanding. It was clear that all of them have experienced some form of sexism. However, they gave tips on how to fight against sexism in the music industry. I like the fact that they encourage us to be creative and win the respect of our male peers in any industry. This event was created because one of the students couldn’t fine powerful women in the industry, when doing some research. The reason why I wanted to take sometime out to write about this article in my blog is because as a woman I need some encouragement. I also want other women to know that they don’t have to accept sexism, sleep around, or flirt to work in the music industry. This also shows that we as women can be more then just video girls, singers, and rappers. Sometime I feel like giving up because I am a woman, but after reading this article I know that I could do any job in this industry. I just have to continue to working hard and show men that I can work just as hard as they do. So for any female reading this blog, please take the time to review the attached article. It would also be good if you reached each female that was included on the panel, to see what they are doing and how they may have changed the industry.
websites:
http://thetriangle.org/2011/05/13/women-in-entertainment/
