Information for Musicians

Thank you for your interest in Double T's International Entertainment.

We have prepared this document to assist you in creating the most effective promotional package in order to secure an overseas contract for your group. For marketing purposes we require the following:

What Is Required	Format
A video demonstration	DVD (format suggested below)
Biography	MS Word format
Song List/ Repertoire	MS Word format
Photograph	Digital "jpeg" format preferable
Biodata	Completed Questionnaire for each member
Passport Copies	Scan the data page with passport photo
References	(If you have them)

HOW TO GET YOUR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS TO US:

As Double T’s runs a completely digital office, please send your materials in the previously mentioned acceptable formats. Most of these items can be emailed directly to us, however for larger files (such as video demos) please send them to us through the free internet host www.yousendit.com or you may submit a data disc (DVD/CD-Rom) to our postal address.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION

A Video presentation is an essential item for your promotional package. Live recordings are fine, provided you can get a reasonable sound and picture quality. You should be able see all faces clearly. A good idea is to include close-up shots of each band member in the video. Make sure that you send us the best quality copy you can. Although camcorder style footage can work quite well, a professionally produced video can be an advantage. (Although not absolutely necessary)

The best structure for a successful video presentation is a seven to ten minute duration with seven to ten pieces of songs, approximately one minute in length each (or one verse and a chorus). It is an advantage to have the acts name always present as a title on the bottom of the video screen, if possible. An opening and closing title screen with the acts name is also advisable.

A Windows Media Video (wmv.) format is preferable, however if you have a different format it is best to check with us before you send it. Along with a full length high quality video of your performance, it is also helpful for us to have some video footage pieces small enough in file-size to send to clients via email.

A general recommendation for each segment is approximately 2 MB in file-size. These segments can be 40 seconds to a minute long (or one verse and a chorus). We use these files as a starting point with clients and then follow up with a complete video. Windows “Movie Maker” is a good program that can quickly convert these files into WMV files as well as compressing them into emailable sized files. “Movie Maker” comes free with most Microsoft Windows Operating Systems (Vista, XP, Win 2000 etc).

You can send the videos pieces to us through email, or you can use the free internet host www.yousendit.com to submit larger files. You can also send a data disc (DVD/CD-Rom) to our postal address.

BIOGRAPHY

A one page biography of the complete group is required. You may separate each member’s experience if you wish but there should be at least one single paragraph about the band itself. Include your experience, where you have played, anything important you have done including TV performances, CD's recorded, and anything of note. Including a current work history is also a good idea. Please be sure to include the date ranges for any long term contracts your group has completed.

SONG LIST

Make sure all the songs are well known internationally so that the client can recognize the titles. For example Australian songs are not often recognised world wide. Original songs are not relevant for this type of work so best not to submit them within the presentation. You can also separate your songs into their genres, for example jazz, pop, ballads etc. List as many songs as possible. A good working repertoire usually consists of 100 to 200 songs. A starting point might be 80 songs but you wouldn’t want to start a contract with much less than that.

PHOTOGRAPHS

You will need to present a professional style photograph of the group or act you intend to promote. Sending separate photos of the members is not suitable and the photo needs to be an accurate display of the line up of musicians that will be travelling. If you send more than one photo, we can choose which one might best suit the client.

Make sure it is a professional photo with all band members groomed and dressed well. Colour is a preferable option to monochrome photographs. Glamour style photography for most of the Pop/Jazz style work is highly recommended. For the Top 40 band work, a slick, professional image is important. All digital images should be around 200- 300k in size so we can forward them via email. The image below is an example of an effective promotional photograph as the faces are clear, the lighting is good, band members are looking directly at the camera, and they are appropriately dressed and groomed.

The above is an example of an effective Jazz/Pop band photograph. It displays the bands faces clearly, is well lit, and the band is well groomed.

The photo above is a good example of a top 40 band photo. The image and look is very suitable for many overseas venues

REFERENCES

Many hotels will ask for references from other hotels you have worked in. It is best to provide a reference on hotel letterhead that shows you have worked in a similar environment to the venues you are applying for. It is an advantage to have references but not absolutely essential to secure an international contract. References from other agents or private and corporate clients are not relevant for these contracts.

CONTRACT PERIOD

Demand for entertainers is all year round with most land based contracts being a minimum of three months, through to six months long. Most cruise ship contracts are for a minimum of four months.