vinsvixen2,
I will try to give you as many answers as possible, in the most
concise manner possible. Many of your questions will be answered by my
explanation of the booking process( I hope).
The person/people that you would want to contact in this instance,
would be K-Ci and Jojo's booking agency. This may or may not be their
management agency, as sometimes they choose seperate agencies for
these tasks. A booking agency serves the artist by actively looking
for and (as the name would imply) booking tour dates/events for the
artist. Most of the time, their cut is between 15-20% of the artists
fee before expenses. The management will take another percentage,
generally equal to or more than the booking agency. I tell you this,
so you can prepare for the inevitable sticker shock that you will
receive when you see the artist's fee.
In addition, there are regional representatives of the booking agency
who receive a fee for booking the artists, not affilliated with the
production companies that you were thinking of contacting (For
example: jlentertainment.com; onlinetalent.com; jarrettmartini.com;
marksonderproductions.com; and teientertainment.com.). Most of the
time, in order to book an artist, they will just contact the regional
or home booking office. I say this, because many times they act as
though they are the exclusive booking agency for the artist.
I'm getting ahead of myself, back to the price. The price of an
artist is dictated by supply and demand, like everything else. Whether
or not you can get them, will in large part be determined by their
obligations both foreign and domestic(pre-booked tours). Their price
will also be dictated by popularity at the time, and location.
Oftentimes, if an artist is in a nearby city performing near another
date , they will give you a price break, because their travel time and
expenses will be minimized. In addition to the upfront cost, their is
also a document called a contract "rider".
A rider is a document that is signed when you book the artist that
covers artist accomodations, food, transportation, and treatment of
the their entourage. Their is also a tech rider which covers equipment
and personnel that may be required to run said equipment. These
documents hold hidden costs that can run well above $10K. You also
mentioned the fact that you would want them to perform at both the
wedding and reception. Regardless of the number of songs that you want
them to sing, you are still paying for their time. If you want them
to stick around for 4 hours, you will pay extra. The average set for
a headliner is around 45 min., so I would get my money's worth and
have them split the reception with the D.J., unless money is no object
whatsoever.
A good production company will handle these expectations and contract
fulfillments for you, but you will pay a substantial markup for
services rendered. Depending on their experiences with the booking
agency, and the factors mentioned earlier, they may or may not be able
to negotiate a better deal for you. The good part is that they can
relieve much of the stress that you will undoubtedly experience during
your special day. You don't need any legal concerns other than that
of becoming man and wife.
Is it worth paying a production company? Here is how I would make that
determination:
Call the Management/Booking agency. If the Management agency does not
do booking, they will refer you to that agent. Ask the agent for a
quote for that day, listing all the things that you want out of that
occasion. Ask if a meet and greet is included. (Some artists are not
what you might call "people friendly".) Ask them to fax over the
riders. Don't be afraid to ask if they will waive or alter some of the
requirements in the waiver. You're paying for it, don't be afraid of
them saying "No." You probably will only get some things in the tech
rider changed. You may be required to sign a confidentiality
agreement before this information will be exchanged. Do so. No artist
wants anyone to know what their going rate is(unless it is high).
Then call the various production companies. Ask them for quotes, and
make sure that all costs (including the rider), are included in their
quotes. If they don't what a rider is, they are in the wrong business.
I would stagger my quote requests, so they don't think there is a
huge demand for that date, and start upping the price. Then evaluate
how much your sanity is worth.
As far as determining whether or not the production company is a good
one or not, ask for 3 contacts they have that can serve as references,
and contact them. Check with your local Better Business Bureau, and
see if they have botched anyone else's event. Do the research you
would do on any other product, because that is what you are paying
for!
I have included the numbers and physical address of Evolution Talent Agency below.
Good luck with your wedding, and God bless.
Let me know if there is anything I can clarify, or if you want more
documentation on the whole booking process.
Phone 212-554-0300
Fax 212-554-0399
Evolution Talent Agency LLC
1776 Broadway
15th Floor
New York, NY 10019 |
