Film job profiles/music agent
Music Agents find work for their clients, i.e., Composers, co-ordinate their contracts, and secure appropriate deals for them. They represent a roster of Composers, and cultivate relationships with industry decision-makers in order to persuade them to use their clients. Music Agents negotiate deals, and act as 'midwives' for the whole process. They also support and guide their clients' careers.
Responsibilities
Music Agents are responsible for representing their clients. They must keep up to date with what's happening in the industry, find out what films are in development, and which have been given a green light; and cultivate and maintain relationships with producers and directors. Much of their time is spent establishing and maintaining relationships, using contacts to source work for their clients. Once they are given the creative brief for a project, Music Agents may recommend a specific Composer, although often the production company specifies their own choice. They supervise contracts, and negotiate fees, acting as a buffer during contractual negotiations, even when Composers are initially approached directly. Music Agents facilitate dialogues between Composers and production companies, negotiate fees and publishing contracts, and finalise deals, before handing over to Music Supervisors. Music Agents promote their clients' work, and manage their show-reels, ensuring that new compositions are added as quickly as possible. They may be involved in liaison during the music recording process, and they may also approach record companies to organise the release of a soundtrack. They organise and negotiate contracts e.g., for DVD releases and publishing, and they communicate with the press. Music Agents also look for new clients to complement their existing roster, and help them to develop their careers, usually by promoting them initially for work on television productions.
Skills
Music Agents need excellent social skills, especially the ability to make good contacts within the industry, and to maintain them diplomatically and tactfully, without becoming a nuisance to them. They need excellent communication and linguistic skills, in order to market their clients effectively and succinctly to busy producers. They must also have good business skills, including the ability to negotiate, and to know when not to discuss a deal. Research skills are required, and they must keep up to date with industry developments. They need patience and good listening skills, combined with strong organisational and administrative abilities. Musical skills are desirable, although not essential, but they should have a passion for music and film.
Qualifications/Experience
Industry experience and knowledge is the key to becoming a Music Agent. No specific qualifications are required, but a business background is useful, especially in sales. Music Agents may begin their careers in an Assistant role within an agency, and learn on the job. The main qualification is the ability to develop and maintain a range of industry contacts, requiring good judgement, which is acquired by experience of working in the role.
Responsibilities
Music Agents are responsible for representing their clients. They must keep up to date with what's happening in the industry, find out what films are in development, and which have been given a green light; and cultivate and maintain relationships with producers and directors. Much of their time is spent establishing and maintaining relationships, using contacts to source work for their clients. Once they are given the creative brief for a project, Music Agents may recommend a specific Composer, although often the production company specifies their own choice. They supervise contracts, and negotiate fees, acting as a buffer during contractual negotiations, even when Composers are initially approached directly. Music Agents facilitate dialogues between Composers and production companies, negotiate fees and publishing contracts, and finalise deals, before handing over to Music Supervisors. Music Agents promote their clients' work, and manage their show-reels, ensuring that new compositions are added as quickly as possible. They may be involved in liaison during the music recording process, and they may also approach record companies to organise the release of a soundtrack. They organise and negotiate contracts e.g., for DVD releases and publishing, and they communicate with the press. Music Agents also look for new clients to complement their existing roster, and help them to develop their careers, usually by promoting them initially for work on television productions.
Skills
Music Agents need excellent social skills, especially the ability to make good contacts within the industry, and to maintain them diplomatically and tactfully, without becoming a nuisance to them. They need excellent communication and linguistic skills, in order to market their clients effectively and succinctly to busy producers. They must also have good business skills, including the ability to negotiate, and to know when not to discuss a deal. Research skills are required, and they must keep up to date with industry developments. They need patience and good listening skills, combined with strong organisational and administrative abilities. Musical skills are desirable, although not essential, but they should have a passion for music and film.
Qualifications/Experience
Industry experience and knowledge is the key to becoming a Music Agent. No specific qualifications are required, but a business background is useful, especially in sales. Music Agents may begin their careers in an Assistant role within an agency, and learn on the job. The main qualification is the ability to develop and maintain a range of industry contacts, requiring good judgement, which is acquired by experience of working in the role.
