Show and Event Production / Lesson 2 / Technical Riders and Contracts

Lesson Overview

When preparing to perform a show two of the most important documents an artist might prepare are the technical riders and contracts, which can be used to help define the working relationships with other people involved in the project.

As the name suggests, the technical rider includes the everything related to the more technical aspects of your setup, often including detailed descriptions of spacial, electrical and other requirements for a venue, wiring diagrams demonstrating how each piece of equipment should be connected, and contact information of anyone who might need to be reached for any follow up questions.

Contracts can come into play to help specify the scope of a working relationship, whether it is a collaboration or work-for-hire. As an artist you may find yourself on many different sides of contracts. In one situation, you may have a client who is paying you to do certain tasks, such as perform live at an event. In another, you may hire someone else to help with the preparation of materials. For collaborations it can often be useful to have a contract in place to clarify the responsibilities of each individual before a project begins, and specify who has future rights to continue development after the initial work has been completed.

Another detail we will look at in this lesson are the various jobs that are crucial to the lifetime of a show production beyond the artists and performers themselves. In particular, visual artists and VJs may find themselves working closely with, or assuming the role of, the lighting designer (the LD) for a show. The LD also deals with light, color, themes, feelings and time, with many of the same intentions as the video side of a performance, and there are an enumerable number of ways to use the two techniques together to reach the level of epic event production.

Note on "Work-for-Hire"

Normally, the person who creates a work of art is the initial owner of the copyright. A "work-for-hire" agreement is a specific legal exception to this rule.

Under a valid work-for-hire contract, the copyright doesn't transfer from you to the client. Instead, the client or company that hired you is legally considered the author and initial owner of the copyright from the moment the work is created. Essentially, you never hold the copyright to begin with; you are being paid to create it for them. This is a critical distinction from simply selling or licensing a work you already own.

Resources

Templates

Please note that these are basic templates and should be reviewed by a legal professional before use.

Technical Rider Starter Template

[ARTIST NAME] - TECHNICAL RIDER

Date: [Date]

Contact Information:

  • Artist/Band Contact: [Name], [Email], [Phone Number]
  • Technical Contact: [Name], [Email], [Phone Number]

1. STAGE & POWER

  • Stage Dimensions: Minimum [Width] x [Depth] x [Height].
  • Power Requirements: [Number] of dedicated [Voltage] circuits.
  • Stage Plot: (See attached diagram)

2. AUDIO

  • Front of House (FOH) Console: [Preferred Console], or equivalent.
  • Monitor Console: [Preferred Console], or equivalent.
  • Microphones: (See Input List)
  • Monitors: [Number] of wedges, with [Number] of mixes.
  • Stands & Cables: All necessary stands and cables for microphones and instruments.

Input List:

ChannelInstrument/VocalMicrophone/DIStandNotes
1Kick
2Snare
3Hi-Hat
...............

3. BACKLINE

  • Drums: [Specify kit pieces, cymbals, hardware]
  • Bass Amp: [Specify make/model, wattage]
  • Guitar Amp: [Specify make/model, wattage]
  • Keyboards: [Specify make/model, stand]

4. LIGHTING

  • General: Basic stage wash, with front and back lighting.
  • Specifics: [Any specific lighting requests]

5. HOSPITALITY

  • Dressing Room: [Number] of clean, private dressing rooms.
  • Catering: [Number] of hot meals for [Number] people.
  • Beverages: Water, assorted soft drinks, etc.

Artist Contract Template

PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT

This agreement is made on [Date], between [Artist Name] ("Artist") and [Venue/Promoter Name] ("Purchaser").

1. PERFORMANCE:

  • Date: [Date of Performance]
  • Time: [Time of Performance]
  • Venue: [Venue Name and Address]
  • Length of Performance: [Number] minutes/hours.

2. COMPENSATION:

  • Fee: $[Amount]
  • Payment Schedule: 50% deposit due on [Date], remaining 50% due on the day of the performance.

3. TECHNICAL & HOSPITALITY:

  • Purchaser agrees to provide all technical and hospitality requirements as outlined in the attached Technical Rider.

4. CANCELLATION:

  • If Purchaser cancels within [Number] days of the performance, the full fee is due.
  • If Artist cancels, the deposit will be returned in full.

5. GOVERNING LAW:

  • This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State].

Signatures:

[Artist Name]

[Venue/Promoter Name]

Work for Hire Contract Template

WORK FOR HIRE AGREEMENT

This agreement is made on [Date], between [Client Name] ("Client") and [Contractor Name] ("Contractor").

1. SERVICES:

  • Contractor agrees to create [Description of Work to be Created] (the "Work").

2. COMPENSATION:

  • Client agrees to pay Contractor a total fee of $[Amount].
  • Payment Schedule: [Specify payment schedule].

3. OWNERSHIP:

  • The Work created under this agreement is considered a "work made for hire."
  • Client will be the sole and exclusive owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to the Work.

4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR:

  • Contractor is an independent contractor, not an employee of the Client.

5. GOVERNING LAW:

  • This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State].

Signatures:

[Client Name]

[Contractor Name]

Homework

  1. Create an example technical rider for your dream setup / tour that includes:
  • Contact information.
  • A list of equipment you'll provide.
  • A list of equipment you need the venue / producer to provide.
  • Drawings for one or more possible stage / set design variations and layouts.
  • One or more flow charts showing how each piece of equipment is connected and laid out within the stage / set design.
  • Hospitality / green room requirements.
  1. Continue development of media resources and other elements for the final performance. If doing live performance, prepare for rehearsals; if making music video or demo reel, have rough cut ready for feedback.

Review Questions and Further Discussion

  1. What jobs are involved in a large show production?
  • Artists / Performers (openers, headliners)
  • Tour & Show Managers
  • Lighting designers (LDs)
  • Stage designers
  • A1 (FOH Engineer) / A2 (Audio Tech)
  • Camera operators
  • Stage hands
  • "Runners"
  1. What is a technical rider?
  • Client contracts
  • Review of cables, adapters and other equipment
  • Considerations for different types of performance venues
    • Clubs
    • Arenas
    • Festival shows
    • Theaters
    • Art galleries
  1. Working with lighting and stage designers
  • Design considerations; when can light / video / stage elements work together, when do they work better alone?