Screen Composers Guild are working on a number of ongoing campaigns to improve the status and rights of screen composers and the craft of creating original music for audiovisual. We are engaging with other creator representative organisations both in Ireland and internationally to work towards better rights and working conditions for creators, equal access to opportunities across genders and diversities and fair remuneration for creative producers.
Status of composer and the value of music
SCGI believes that the role of composer is part of the key creative personnel on a production with commissioned music forming a crucial element in the development of narrative and identity of a production from feature film to documentary and animation.
Investing in the creation of original music for media, and a domestic community of skilled composers for screen creates added value in both quality and cultural capital of content. Original music carries a unique IP which returns revenue to the economy, as well as adding to Ireland’s cultural heritage. We are advocating that funders, commissioners and stakeholders recognise composers as key creative contributors and original music score as key creative element of unique value.
SCGI recognises the under representation of women composers for screen both in Ireland and internationally. We are engaged in joining research to establish obstacles to entry and career progression for women and we call on wider audiovisual funds aimed at female creative talent within audiovisual industry streams to include and support female composers as key creative personnel.
SCGI pre budget Submission 2023/24
SCGI have presented their Pre Budget Submission to the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Minister of Enterprise.
SCGI key asks for 2024 are:
• Uplift in Section 481 tax credit specific to music composition and postproduction activities which happen in Ireland and inclusion of music in culture test.
• Establishment of a Code of Fair Practice to support fairness in working with creators and support sustainable working conditions.
• Creation of taskforce to examine potential impact on creative sector of AI, to assess the need for legislation and further protections.
• Expansion of Digital Games Tax Credit Section 481a to cover co-development productions.
• Continued funding for creative screen industry via increased support for Screen Ireland, retained funding for National Broadcasters and swift introduction of AVMS levy.
• Expansion of Artists’ Tax Exemption to encompass all original music created for media and for it to be carried over a number of years’ earnings.
SCGI pre budget Submission 2022.
SCGI have presented a Pre Budget Submission, in September 2021 to the Ministers of Finance, Enterprise, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Social Protection.
Key Asks Are:
• Implementation of the Copyright Directive without further delay and increased recognition of the value of creative IP.
• Introduction of an AVMS Levy to support a newly created fund with focus on Irish IP owned productions, using Irish Creative talent.
• Inclusion of wording on music in Section 481 Culture Test to ensure greater access to employment opportunity for Irish based composers, music performers and associated music services.
• Enhancement of existing Artists Tax Exemption as recommended in the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report: Life Worth Living (recommendation 2.b)
• Delivery of a Basic Income Scheme for Irish arts workers.
SCGI submission to Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce Report September 2020.
The Arts and Culture recovery Taskforce was established by Minister Martin in September 2020 with the aim to prepare a report with a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. SCGI submitted on behalf of our members and the wider community of composers and performers creating music for screen to the Taskforce.
Download SCGI submission to taskforce.
Section 481
Screen Composers Guild of Ireland joins IMRO to call for the inclusion of music in the cultural test for section 481 tax.
Download section 481 submission
European Copyright Directive
Screen Composers Guild of Ireland is working with Irish and European creator organisations including ESCA, GESAC, IMRO, Screen Writers Guild and many more to call for the ratification of the European copyright directive and fair remuneration for creators in the commercial exploitation of their works.