BASCA Guidelines
"BASCA is delighted to be able
to publish these guidelines with the BBC which provide for fair and
equitable working practices which we believe meet the needs of TV
composers and commissioners" Patrick Rackow, Chief Executive,
BASCA
BBC/British Academy of Songwriters,
Composers & Authors/Musicians Union guidelines for the
commissioning of music for BBC programmes
1. The Music Copyright section of the
BBC's Talent Rights Negotiation Group is responsible for
negotiating terms and issuing contracts for all music commissioned
by the BBC for its in-house productions.
2. BBC departments requiring specially
commissioned music are encouraged to contact Music Copyright at the
earliest opportunity in order that negotiations can be concluded
and a contract issued/signed prior to the composer commencing
work.
3. Payment schedules may vary from
contract to contract, but full payment for commissioned work should
be made at the point at which the work is completed, i.e. once
Music Copyright receive appropriate notification to this effect
from the area concerned.
4. The decision regarding which
composer to contract is entirely the responsibility of individual
BBC programme makers.
5. Music Copyright offer advice
regarding the choice of composer when required, given its extensive
knowledge of composers working in television, radio and film. A
number of composers may be suggested, the selection being
determined solely by the needs of an individual production.
6. Music Copyright will usually
negotiate a package deal fee with a composer or their agent. This
is a fully inclusive deal that encompasses all the relevant
elements associated with the making of a sound master. A package
deal may typically include the composition fee, scoring, copying,
studio costs, electronic realisation, musician/vocalist fees,
fixing, porterage and doubling.
7. Musicians and vocalists will be
contracted separately via the BBC Talent Rights Negotiation Group.
This is to ensure that the appropriate contracts are used. *
8. The offer of a commission from the
BBC is not dependent on publishing rights being assigned to BBC
Music Publishing. It is recognised that publishing is in the gift
of the composer and that the composer is under no obligation to
assign publishing to BBC Music Publishing or any other
publisher.
9. An exception to Clause 8 is music
for idents commissioned by the BBC, in which cases BBC Music
Publishing would expect assignment of publishing rights on the
commission of the music.
10. The contracts issued by Music
Copyright are separate from any publishing agreements used by BBC
Music Publishing and separate negotiations will take place on
each.
11. The manager of Music Copyright at
the BBC can be contacted at
nicky.bignell@bbc.co.uk
12. This document and the operating
practices described herein shall be reviewed annually from the date
of its first publication.
* Composers wishing to engage the BBC performing groups
should contact as follows for availability and fees. The performing
groups tend to be in high demand and therefore contact at the
earliest opportunity is highly recommended.
Andrew Connolly: BBC Concert
Orchestra (London) andrew.connolly@bbc.co.uk
Richard Wigley: BBC Philharmonic
(Manchester)
David Murray: BBC National Orchestra of
Wales (Cardiff)
Paul Hughes: BBC Symphony Orchestra
(London)
Gavin Reid: BBC Scottish Symphony
Orchestra (Glasgow)
Stephen Ashley-King: BBC Singers
(London)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/
