Advance_Decision_Worksheet.xlsx

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1	Advance Decision Worksheet
2	Use this worksheet before accepting a music advance to compare the upfront payment against repayment terms, rights granted, commitments, and long-term trade-offs.
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4	Basic Deal Information
5	Field	Details	Notes
6	Deal type		Record deal, publishing, distribution, producer, label services, catalog financing, etc.
7	Payer / company offering advance
8	Recipient / rights holder
9	Project or catalog covered
10	Offer date
11	Review owner		Manager, attorney, accountant, rights administrator, or creator
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13	Advance Details
14	Review Item	Details	Notes
15	Advance amount
16	Payment timing		Single payment, installments, milestone-based, or delivery-based
17	Conditions before payment		Delivery, signing, tax forms, approvals, registration, or other requirements
18	Is the advance recoupable?		Yes / No / Needs review
19	Repayment source		Master income, publishing income, distribution revenue, catalog income, sync, etc.
20	Can other costs be added?		Recording, marketing, video, tour support, legal, admin, distribution, etc.
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22	Intended Use
23	Use Category	Applies?	Notes
24	Recording and production		Studio, producers, musicians, engineers, mixing, mastering
25	Writing time or creative development		Sessions, writing period, living runway while creating
26	Marketing and promotion		Ads, PR, playlist pitching, campaign support
27	Video and content		Music videos, visualizers, short-form content, artwork
28	Touring or showcases		Travel, rehearsals, live setup, showcase costs
29	Living or operating support		Personal support, team costs, project administration
30	Catalog or rights-related payment		Projected future income from existing rights
31	General upfront compensation		No specified use, unless contract says otherwise
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33	Rights and Commitment Review
34	Review Item	Details	Risk / Follow-Up
35	Rights granted		Masters, compositions, administration, distribution, catalog, future works, name and likeness
36	Territory		Local, regional, worldwide, platform-specific
37	Exclusivity		Exclusive, non-exclusive, limited exclusivity
38	Term length		Initial term, collection period, administration period
39	Options or extensions		Who controls them and when they can be exercised
40	Delivery obligations		Songs, masters, metadata, stems, artwork, split sheets, deadlines
41	Approval rights		Budgets, marketing, sync, creative changes, name and likeness, reporting
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43	Trade-Off Review
44	Question	Answer	Decision Notes
45	Does the advance cover the actual need?
46	Is the amount worth the rights being granted?
47	Would a smaller advance with better terms be stronger?
48	How realistic is recoupment based on projected income?
49	What happens if the advance never recoups?
50	What terms need revision before signing?
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52	Questions Before Signing
53	Question	Owner	Status
54	Which income will repay the advance?
55	Can expenses be added to the same balance?
56	Are there caps or approval rights for added costs?
57	Will statements show the remaining balance clearly?
58	Does the contract include personal repayment language, guarantees, or special financing terms?
59	What rights or commitments come with the advance?
60	What should the attorney, manager, accountant, or rights administrator review?
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