MUSIC organisations, AIM (Association of Independent Music), BPI (British Phonographic Industry), MPG (Music Producers Guild) and the MU (Musicians’ Union) are today announcing the publication of new Music Production Guidance to support the safe restarting of music and music video production with confidence and clarity.
Developed as part of a working group convened by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), this industry-led guidance has been developed in consultation with colleagues across the music industry, including with musicians, recording studios and rehearsal spaces. Throughout their development there has been extensive dialogue with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive.
Like many parts of the UK economy, the music industry has been hard-hit by the effects of Covid-19 and the resulting lockdown measures. The live sector has been particularly impacted, but studio recording and video production has also stalled. While early steps have been taken to conduct some studio sessions in a Covid-safe environment, this new guidance is designed to build confidence and support the next stages of getting recording sessions and production up and running again on a wider basis.
As lockdown eases, it is vital for the long-term health of the music community and for music fans that production can restart safely and at scale – for its artists, orchestras, labels, retailers and digital services, venues and live sector and all the people that work with them. This guidance puts the safety of everyone working in music at its heart, together with an expert-led, workable approach to making a broad range of music.
This music production guidance covers all professional music and music video production and live music streaming – including spaces where music is written, arranged, rehearsed, produced or captured; and applies to commercial recording or rehearsal studios, scoring stages, production rooms, mastering studios, home studios, home office spaces, other shared working spaces, production and post-production locations, whether in studio or on location.
Separately, guidance is being published for the performing arts, which it is hoped will support the live music sector in planning reopening.
The full music production guidance can be read here: https://www.ukmusic.org/covid-19/guidance
It contains nine key areas:
1. Risk
2. Who should go to work;
3. Social distancing for workers and others in home workplaces, including specific guidance for singers, wind and brass players;
4. Keeping clients, musicians, actors and other visiting workers safe;
5. Cleaning the workplace;
6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face coverings;
7. Workforce management;
8. Inbound and outbound goods; and
9. Additional specific guidance for specialist environments.
This guidance will continue to be reviewed and updated as further scientific and Government advice evolves.
Paul Pacifico, chief executive, AIM, said: “We are really pleased to have collaborated with government and their public health experts in developing this practical and clear guidance that will help the dedicated professionals of the recorded music sector return to work safely.
“Music plays a crucial role both economically and socially – whether it’s the soundtrack to our most memorable life events, or in cinema, television, or theatre where music sets the mood and heightens emotions, whether we listen for solace or euphoria, solitary or shared, music’s role is unique.
“We hope that this guidance will help us all on the road to recovery across both culture and commerce.”
Geoff Taylor, chief executive, BPI & BRIT Awards, said: “The pandemic has brought home to many just how important music is in our daily lives.
“Investing in talent and releasing new music are the heart of what labels do, so we are happy to support our artists, producers and songwriters in getting back into the recording studio and other workspaces, safely and with confidence. This will help to unleash a flood of new music for fans and spur an even bigger contribution from music to economic recovery. We thank our industry partners and DCMS and advisers for their collaboration in producing this important guidance.”
Olga Fitzroy, executive director, MPG, said: “The MPG are glad to have been supporting our members getting back to work safely, and are grateful for the input of our members, studios, industry partners and government bodies for their help in developing this guidance. We hope it will give our clients the confidence to commission new productions and get all of our members
back to doing what they do best as safely and as quickly as possible.”
Horace Trubridge, general secretary, Musicians’ Union, said: “The MU has been pleased to work closely with AIM, the MPG and the BPI In assisting and guiding the DCMS in this important work. The UK’s broadcasting, film and production sector is the envy of the world and this sector specific guidance should enable studios, production companies and broadcasters to get back up to speed safely and efficiently.”
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), said: “Throughout this crisis, music has been a vital source of support and inspiration for many so we have been working closely with the industry on this important guidance to get production back up and running safely. Artists, musicians and producers should feel confident returning to studios and video sets to make new work for their fans.”
ENDS
Enquiries
For AIM
Henry Oliver henry@aim.org.uk +44 (0)20 4515 7056
For BPI
Gennaro Castaldo
gennaro.castaldo@bpi.co.uk +44 (0)20 7803 1326 / +44 (0)7801 194 139
For MPG
Laura Bradley laura@sproutpr.co.uk +44 (0)7966 435 026
For MU
Keith Ames keith.ames@themu.org +44 (0)7967 449 096
Notes for editors:
About AIM
AIM is the not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector, which makes up a quarter of the recorded music market. Now in its 21st year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. AIM promotes and supports this exciting and diverse sector globally and provides a range of services, commercial opportunities and practical help to members; enabling them to innovate, grow and break into new markets. www.aim.org.uk
About the BPI (British Phonographic Industry)
The BPI champions the UK’s recorded music industry, safeguarding the rights of its members and of the artists, performers and label members of collecting body PPL. The BPI’s membership consists of well over 400 independent labels and the UK’s three ‘majors’, which together account for 85 per cent of legitimate domestic music consumption and one in nine albums sold around the world.
The BPI promotes British music overseas through its trade missions and the Music Exports Growth Scheme. It provides insights, training and networking with its free masterclasses, Innovation Hub, Insight Sessions, WidsomWednesdays events, and reports. The BPI administers The BRIT Certified Awards, co-owns The Official Charts, organises The BRIT Awards and BRITs Week, and is also home to The Mercury Prize. www.bpi.co.uk
About MPG
The Music Producers Guild (UK) is an independent and democratic organisation that encourages the highest standards of music production, and actively engages with other music industry organisations to campaign and lobby on matters of important mutual interest.
The MPG represents and promotes the interests of all those involved in the production of recorded music, including producers, engineers, mixers, re-mixers, programmers and mastering engineers. www.mpg.org
About MU
The Musicians’ Union represents over 31,000 musicians working in all sectors of the music business and has campaigned on behalf of its members since the organisation was established in 1893. As well as negotiating on behalf of its members with all the major employers in the industry, the MU offers a range of services for self-employed professional and student musicians of all ages.www.musiciansunion.org.uk
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