Below are the items from our class research task that you all agreed should be included in a contract from the venue
Fee
These terms will ensure clarity on what the payment will be and any situations that may affect you getting paid
How much will the venue pay you (what is the full fee/has tax and NI been deducted or is that your responsibility)
When can you expect to be paid (end of the show/half up front)
How will you be paid (cash/bank transfer etc)
Is the fee dependant on anything? Satisfactory work? professionalism?
Time/Hours
These type of jobs are often task driven rather than working to set times, just because the nature of events is that they are liable to run over, and so this needs to be accounted for clearly.
In this situation, as the band are arriving at 4pm, it would be a good idea to make sure the engineer arrives before this, say 3pm, to give them time to get prepared and ensure the smooth running of the set up.
End time will be dependent on all tasks being completed before engineer can leave. Otherwise if and end time is stated the engineer is free to leave at that point even if the job isn't finished.
Equipment
The equipment for a gig will often be specified clearly in the bands Technical Rider that they provide to the venue. This sets out the expectations of the band in terms of the quality of equipment provided. The venue may pass this top the engineer, together with a list of in house equipment, to give them the opportunity to make sure they are familiar with it all.
Providing the engineer with a specific list of equipment means that both parties are clear on the expected knowledge of the engineer. Will also give the engineer time to get familiar with items they may not have used before.
Does the engineer need any specialist qualifications or training - for example heavy lifting, working at heights, working with specialised equipment.
What protection can the venue offer the engineer for any of their own equipment that they bring?
Health & Safety
We live in a very litigious society, where people often sue if they are involved in an accident to try and claim financial compensation. With this in mind, all staff working anywhere must have some knowledge Health & Safety Legislation. Please read this article for more information
While the venue will have Public Liability Insurance to protect members of the public if they have an accident etc, there is still a large responsibility on the sound engineer to be aware of and follow any Health & Safety legislation that may apply. For example volume levels, trip hazards, safe practice, working with electricity. This clause may try and set up when the engineer becomes liable, but this is a very contentious area.
Cancellation
Sometimes events have to be cancelled for various reasons, but staff who have been taken on and whose services are no longer required need some protection in terms of pay and what they can expect
Under what circumstances will the engineer get paid if the gig is cancelled? How much notice should the engineer give the venue if they cant make it? Will you receive the whole fee if the gig is cancelled?
