RECORDING ARTISTS / SINGERS
Recording Artists / Singers
A principal performer who sings either as a solo or in a group requiring unison or harmony, either on or off camera.
How they find employment:
By vocal contractors or composers.
Solo/Duo - Though not required when hiring for for solo/duo work, a vocal contractor is often used, and occasionally a composer will hire a solo or duo directly.
Group - Three or more.
A Vocal Contractor is required for groups to communicate with the producer/composer, to represent the singers, prepare budgets, clear performers as in good standing, etc. The Vocal Contractor must be a performing member of the group, a SAG-AFTRA singer, unless it is a woman hiring a men’s or a man hiring a women’s choir, in which case they put the group together, direct the session, but don’t actually sing. However, they are still paid as a singer in that situation.
Types of Recording Artists / Singers work:
Film & Television Scoring, Variety & Awards Shows, Commercials, & Records - As the recording artist themselves or the backup singers and groups.
For most sessions, singers sight read and sing provided sheet music. Occasionally singers improvise, called head charts.
Singing Voice Dubbing - Most often used in animation, this is when a singer is used in place of an actor for vocal performance.