Question about a music video contract...

[Wade Spencer]

4. You will provide a time code audio package of the correct versions of and we shall provide the Artist (at call time), and any cameo guests (at call time). You represent and warrant to us that: you will only use the music we provide to you in the creation of the Video; any material embodied in the Video not provided by us will not infringe upon any rights of any person or entity. You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from and against all claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ and accounting fees) arising out of any material not provided by us (including graphics) that you include in the Video.

Just the part in bold...what is a time code audio package?

I'm under contract from the record label to produce a music video for one of their bands...just not sure what this part means. Do you they just means a master with time code on it?

Thanks everyone!

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Wade Spencer

Just the part in bold...what is a time code audio package?

I'm under contract from the record label to produce a music video for one of their bands...just not sure what this part means. Do you they just means a master with time code on it?

Thanks everyone!

It wouldn't hurt to ask for clarification about what THEY mean with that wording but here's what I think it means.

Music videos are commonly shot to playback - the music is NOT recorded during filming. To prepare for the shoot you need to take the music master they provide and dub it to the format you'll use for playback, adding a SMPTE timecode track alongside it. Since the timecode will now be taking up one of the stereo tracks you'll probably mix the original to mono - that's okay because all it does is cue the performers, it isn't used as the actual soundtrack. On set you playback from a recorder that has timecode output. You send the code track to a timecode slate that's shot at the start of the take and also perhaps displayed for the performers to see and also to the camera so it's recorded as the video timecode on the tape. Meanwhile the sound from the other track goes to speakers for the talent to hear and perform to.