Co-production
Starting a co-production with artists in Japan: five things to agree on first
Co-producing music across borders can open new doors for everyone involved. Differences in language and business habits can also cause misunderstandings. Before you begin, agree on the essentials and put them in writing.
Five things to agree on first
- Purpose: what you will make, and who it is for
- Roles: who handles lyrics, composition, arrangement, vocals, recording and project management
- Workflow: how files are shared, deadlines, and how many review rounds
- Language: which language you use, and who handles interpreting or translation
- Rights and costs: how the finished work will be owned, and how costs are shared
List roles and deadlines
Make a shared list of who delivers what, and by when. If you work across time zones, agree on which time zone your deadlines use.
Agree on the number of review rounds
Revisions can go on forever if there is no limit. Decide in advance, for example, one review at the demo stage and one at the final stage, and what happens if more rounds are needed.
Check rights and costs with professionals
Rules and customs for music rights and revenue sharing differ from country to country. Put what you agree in a written contract, and ask a specialist in music rights to review it where needed.