Musician / Session Release

Clear a session musician's or vocalist's recorded performance for your score or soundtrack.

Who It's For

Composers/producers hiring session players or vocalists.
Recording sessions for a score or soundtrack.
Anyone clearing a performer's recorded contribution.

What It's For

Confirms the musician's performance is work-for-hire.
Grants rights to use the recording in the project.
Sets the session fee and warranties.

This is a template, not legal advice. Consult an entertainment attorney before signing. If the musician is a union member (e.g., AFM), union agreements and scale may apply and control to the extent required.

Parties

Musician / Vocalist

Musician Role

Producer / Company

Effective Date

Session

Film / Project Title

Session Date

Studio / Location (optional)

Instrument(s) / Part Performed

Union Status

Grant & Compensation

Rights Granted

Session Fee (USD)

Payment Terms

Re-use / New-Use Terms (optional)

Credit (optional)

Additional Terms

Preview

MUSICIAN / SESSION RELEASE

This Musician / Session Release ("Agreement") is entered into as of [effective date] by and between [musician / vocalist] ("Musician") and [producer / company] ("Producer"), with reference to the motion picture or program presently entitled "[project title]" (the "Project").

1. Engagement & Performance
Musician engaged as Instrumentalist performed the following on the recording sessions for the Project "[project title]": [instrument(s) / part performed]. Session date: [session date].
2. Grant of Rights
The performance and resulting recordings are created as works made for hire specially ordered and commissioned by Producer, and Producer shall be deemed the author and sole owner of the recorded performance throughout the universe in perpetuity, in all media now known or hereafter devised. To the extent any such material does not qualify as a work made for hire, Musician hereby irrevocably assigns to Producer all right, title, and interest therein, including all copyrights and renewals thereof.
3. Compensation
Producer shall pay Musician a session fee of [fee (USD)]. 50% on session date, 50% on delivery of final tracks.
4. Re-use / New Use
The fee above covers all uses of the performance in the Project and its advertising and exploitation, with no further payment due, except as required by any applicable union agreement.
5. Union
Musician's union status is Non-Union.
6. Credit
No specific credit is required by this Agreement.
7. Representations & Warranties
Musician represents and warrants that the performance is original to Musician, that Musician is free to grant the rights herein, and that the performance does not infringe upon the copyright, right of publicity, or any other right of any third party. Musician agrees to indemnify Producer for any breach of the foregoing representations and warranties.
8. Additional Terms
[additional terms]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

MUSICIAN / VOCALIST

Signature: ____________________

Printed Name: [musician / vocalist]

Date: ____________________

PRODUCER

Signature: ____________________

Printed Name: [producer / company]

Date: ____________________

TEMPLATE ONLY — NOT LEGAL ADVICE. This musician/session release confirms a performer's recorded contribution and rights grant for a score or soundtrack. If the musician is a union member (e.g., AFM), applicable union agreements, scale, pension, and health contributions may apply and control to the extent required by law. Consult a qualified entertainment attorney before executing this agreement.

Filmmaker Genius — Document Library. Template only; not legal advice.