In the face of Covid-19, many of us are either self-presenting live-stream concerts, or we are working with concert presenters to co-present online concerts. We are pleased to announce two new resources to help members who would like to protect their work online and create fair conditions for our work with other organizations.
Joint Venture Agreement
The “Joint Venture Agreement” is a very simple contract that was created for self-contained musical groups who record and release their own recording. If you are self-presenting a live-stream concert and there is no outside employer, you can use this agreement (as a solo musician or as an ensemble) as a way to ensure that your work will be protected in future. The agreement includes a clause that requires the proper AFM contracts to be executed if the footage gets used in another context, for instance, as background for a commercial, or distributed through other music services. This is a great and simple way to protect your work. Here is the form and the guidelines:
Local 1000 Online Performing Guidelines
If you are working with another organization (for instance a folk club or concert series) to present an online concert, Local 1000’s Online Performing Guidelines can help you negotiate fair conditions for the use of your livestream performance. Based on AFM policies developed since the pandemic began, the guidelines cover fair splits for online ticket sales/donations, conditions and minimums for making online performances available after the live event, and so on. Thanks to the Local 1000 Fair Trade Music Committee for addressing these important new realities for our work as independent musicians. You can download the guidelines here:
The realities of making a living as a folk/acoustic musician are changing quickly and Local 1000 will continue to respond by making new tools and resources available.
