Artistic control

"Creative control" redirects here. For other uses, see Creative Control (disambiguation).

Artistic control or creative control is a term commonly used in media production, such as movies, television, music production, or some other cultural product. A person, or the studio or production company, with artistic control has the authority to decide how the final product will appear. In movies, this commonly refers to the authority to decide on the final cut. When a director does not have artistic control, the studio or production company that is producing the project commonly has the final say on production.

When dealing with numeric values, artistic (or creative) control usually refers to the commanding portion of an executive deal or contract, so a share such as 51% and 49%, respectively, for shareholders or stocks would denote the shareholder with 51% as having control. 50 and 50 percent share an equal commanding portion, and so must come to terms on both sides.

Music

Artistic Control or creative control can differ widely within the music industry. Two categories that determine the amount of creative control an artist possesses are: Independent and Signed. The type of venture that a musician chooses can impact the future of their music and how it is released.

Independent artist

An independent artist produces and releases music without the additional support of a record label. Similar wording to that of an independent artist would include "indie" or independently produced. When an artist is independent the music that is produced is completely funded by them or the group in which they are a part of. If an artist chooses to remain independent they typically have complete control of the music that they create, their release schedule and the amount of content that is created. However, there are also cons to this approach due to the lack of funding and promotion of the music.

Pros:

• 100% creative control
• Maintain 100% of profit
• Own the rights to their music

Cons:

• Limited promotion
• Lack of budget or funding

Signed artist

A signed artist includes a musician that is contracted to a record label. Typical record labels include Universal Music Group, Republic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. Artists that are signed to larger record labels are bind to a contract that dictates the amount, type, and demographic that the music caters to. Signed artist typically see a large budget and promotion but can be subject to a lack of artistic control.

Pros:

• Influential gain
• Increased budget
• Planned marketing

Cons:

• Lack or decrease in artistic control
• Decreased personal profits
• Binding contracts

Film

In film (movies and television) the person that is in charge of creative control is the director. The director has control of the artistic attributes of the film, commonly having a large influence of the overall vision. Directors commonly work in tandem with screenwriters and adjust aspects of the film as filming continues. The director has control over a variety of aspects such as: lighting, hair and makeup, set design and wardrobe. They are typically the final say unless the producer has adjustments of their own. Once the movie or television show is finished filming, the director will begin editing and release a version of the film commonly known as a "directors cut". This is an alternate version of the film that contains different scenes, cuts and edits.

See also

• Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith
• Artistic freedom
• Final cut privilege
• Freedom of expression

Further reading

• Subotnik, Eva E. (March 1, 2017). "Artistic Control after Death" (PDF). Washington Law Review. 92 (1).

---