Official Course Description:  MCCCD Approval:  4-24-2012
MUC241  2012 Summer I - 9999	LEC  3.0 Credit(s)  3.0 Period(s)  3.0 Load  Occ
Business Principles of Music Production
Operation, scope, roles and responsibilities in the commercial music production process. Focuses on business aspects of commercial music production, including project management, budgeting, production personnel, deal structures, revenue sources, copyright, publishing percentages and career strategies. Prerequisites: (MUC109 and MUC110) or permission of Instructor.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
MUC241  2012 Summer I - 9999	Business Principles of Music Production

 

1.         Describe the business roles and responsibilities of music producers. (I)

2.         Explain the essential business participants in the Commercial Music Production process. (II)

3.         Examine the key financial constituents in the business of music production. (III)

4.         Evaluate revenue sources and payment arrangements. (III, IV)

5.         Appraise legal and contract issues for professional music producers. (V)

6.         Determine copyright issues and publishing percentage splits. (IV, V)

7.         Evaluate Project Management skills required for successful music production. (VI)

8.         Explain budgeting and expense tracking procedures. (VI)

9.         Discuss the business aspects of producing records. (VII)

10.       Recommend the process for developing a career as a commercial music producer. (VIII)

 

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
MUC241  2012 Summer I - 9999	Business Principles of Music Production

 

I.          Business Roles and Responsibilities of Commercial Music Producers

            A.        Project management

            B.        Hiring staff

            C.        Studio and equipment rental

            D.        Budget and accounting

            E.         Delivering a finished master recording

II.        Essential Business Participants in the Creative Music Production Process

            A.        Artists

            B.        Producers

            C.        Artist managers

            D.        Record labels

III.       Revenue Sources

            A.        Speculative projects

            B.        Artists

            C.        Record labels

            D.        Music publishers

            E.         Film/TV producers     

            F.         Music supervisors

IV.       Production Deal Types

            A.        Percentage of royalties

            B.        Advance fees

            C.        Split of songwriter's music publishing royalties

            D.        Flat project fees

            E.         Hourly fees

            F.         Per song fees

V.        Legal Issues And Contracts

            A.        Working with attorneys

            B.        Parties to a producer agreement

            C.        Common contractual issues

            D.        Copyright ownership of finished product

            E.         Publishing percentage splits for producer

VI.       Business Leadership

            A.        Project planning and management

                        1.         Analysis of project scope

                        2.         Scheduling and timelines

                        3.         Budgeting and cost analysis

                        4.         Staffing

                        5.         Tracking expenses and accounting

                        6.         Plan a production project

            B.        Financial considerations

                        1.         Union pay scales

                        2.         Recording funds

                        3.         Costs included or excluded

VII.     Music Record Production

            A.        How Record Labels work

            B.        The Artist and Repertoire (A&R) function

VIII.    Career Strategies

            A.        Getting started

                        1.         Typical pathways to a music producing career

                        2.         Skill development

            B.        Pros and cons of hiring a manager

            C.        Build or buy a studio

            D.        Protecting your career

                        1.         Insurance

                        2.         Producing credits for your work