In the creation of motion pictures, musicians might not be hired for just underscoring. On many occasions, musicians are required to appear on camera. To look realistic in a scene, producers will hire professional musicians to mime to a recording while on camera. This is referred to as “sidelining.” Under both the Theatrical Motion Picture and Television Motion Picture Agreements, these on-camera musicians are paid under Section IV. for “Sideline Musicians.” 

Sidelining rates are the same across all film contracts and do not contain any low budget options. In cases where the musicians are asked to play their instruments on camera in a scene and the audio is also recorded live, the sideline musicians are owed an audio fee in addition to the sidelining fee. 

All sidelining work is filed on an AFM B-7 Report Form. 

 

Further Resources:

• Motion Picture Scale Summary Sheet, Sidelining on pages 7-9

 

 

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