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Amateur Rights Query

Thu, 20 Aug 2009, 09:19 am
CatInTheBag9 posts in thread
has anyone had experence of being asked to agree to pay a large percentage of the rights up front before being being granted the contract and given the rights to an (amateur) show? Cheers

Thread (9 posts)

CatInTheBagThu, 20 Aug 2009, 09:19 am
has anyone had experence of being asked to agree to pay a large percentage of the rights up front before being being granted the contract and given the rights to an (amateur) show? Cheers
JoeMcThu, 20 Aug 2009, 09:57 am

It's normal Kate!Base fees

It's normal Kate!

Base fees are paid up front, generaly dependant upon venue capacity, ticket price & number of performances. Also with musicals they can atract a percentage of the gross box office as well, which is determined after the production final wash up. 

LabrugThu, 20 Aug 2009, 09:59 am

Sounds Dodgy

You should look at the standard arrangements done through mainstream publishing houses - this sounds ... not right.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
"ƃuıʇsǝɹǝʇuı ǝɟıן ƃuıʞɐɯ"

LabrugThu, 20 Aug 2009, 10:04 am

Before or After

Before the Contract is offered though? Wouldn't it be a part of the contractual arrengment? Until the contract is aggreed to and  "signed", they could still deny rights.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
"ƃuıʇsǝɹǝʇuı ǝɟıן ƃuıʞɐɯ"

LogosThu, 20 Aug 2009, 10:12 am

Well

You shouldn't be asked to pay until you have been advised that on receipt of payment you will be granted performance rights. The invoice you receive should state that rights will be granted on receipt of the required payment. Amateur rights always require upfront payment and in the case of non musicals it is a fixed sum per night. Musicals will usually ask for a lump sum against a percentage of door. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au
CatInTheBagThu, 20 Aug 2009, 12:44 pm

Thanks all - we are used to

Thanks all - we are used to paying an amount up front plus plus the rest dependent on ticket sales, box office, venue capacity etc but not one third up front, PLUS an assurance that we will do another show from this agent within a specified time. Seems a bit odd to me but maybe not!
KimberleyThu, 20 Aug 2009, 06:04 pm

Which agent?

Which agent?
ozzieparkerThu, 20 Aug 2009, 10:14 pm

sounds fishy

You should not have to pay anything before you sign a contract. That is a scam of some sort. What are you trying to get permission for, if you don't mind me asking? You can send me the name in a private message if you like. I'll get my agent to see what she can find out. You never know what's comin' for you.
Walter PlingeSun, 23 Aug 2009, 12:30 pm

Never Heard of This Before

An 'assurance that you will do another show from this agent within a specified time?' I have never, in all my years, heard of anyone or any company who has been asked to submit to a condition like this in order to get the rights to stage an amateur production. Something is definately not right with this arrangement. Run now. If it were me, I would also be contacting other amateur theatre companies and warning them about this particular agent. Just out of interest, if your company didn't end up doing another show from this agent in a specified time, after agreeing to, what exactly would, or can, this agency do about it?? It sounds like a hollow threat designed to blackmail people methinks. Tulipa
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