VG FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the AFM Videogame/Interactive Media Agreement (VGA)
- If I am called for a Videogame under the new AFM Videogames and Interactive Media Agreement (VGA), should I expect residual payments later on? Ans: No. Unlike the AFM Agreements for Theatrical Motion Pictures and Television Film, there are no residuals, no secondary markets or royalties in the VGA.
- Are there other back end payments in the VGA? Ans: No, there are no supplemental markets or residual payments.
- If I am a player and I am called for a VGA session, what are the rates?
Number of Musicians | Scale for a 3 Hour Session | Overtime (per 15 minutes in 1 hour hold period) |
25 or more musicians | $300.00 | $25.00 |
24 musicians or less | $345.00 | $28.76 |
Pension | 14.5% | |
Health Care | $30.54 per day | (Flex Plan – in LA only) |
- How do the AFM VGA rates compare with those used in London? Ans: British Musicians Union Combined Use
Musician Hours | Per Hour | (Exchange) | Dollars | 3 Hours | |
Schedule 1 | 2-36 | £114.00 | (1.59) | $181.26 | $543.78 |
Schedule 2 | 37-350 | £85.00 | (1.59) | $135.15 | $405.45 |
Schedule 3 | 351-800 | £76.00 | (1.59) | $120.84 | $362.52 |
Schedule 4 | 802 or more | £56.00 | (1.59) | $89.04 | $267.12 |
- What should I expect if I am asked to double my part? Ans: doubling, or tracking, is a mechanism for replacing musicians. The payment for doubling your part is a new 100% session rate. Note: in London, the rate is 110%.
- What should I expect if a soundtrack album is released from the game I played on? Ans: The Producer has a menu of choices available for payment, running from a release of 15,000 units with no payment, to full Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) scale.
- If a sequel to the game I played on is produced, can they use music that I participated in without paying me again? Ans: Yes.
- If a movie or TV show is produced based on the game I played on, can they use music that I participated in without paying me again? Ans: No, new use payments would be required if the music is used in another media.
- Is there a summary of the terms and conditions of the VGA here at afmrecording.org? Ans: Yes, Click Here
- Where can I see the full VGA? Ans: AFM_VGAgreement June2014a
- If I am called for a VGA session, how can I be sure that the employer is legitimate, and financially responsible? Ans: The AFM requires the employer to either sign a Single Project Agreement and then the AFM Assumption Agreement, or sit down and negotiate a term Agreement with the AFM.