unsignedAct

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who can enter?: We’re open to bands and singer songwriters who write and perform their own material. You must have written your own lyrics, music and be able to perform it live if you want to enter Orange unsignedAct. You must be a resident of the UK. If you are a band, at least two members must reside in the UK.
Q. Is there an age limit?: All entrants must be aged 16 or over on 31 August 2008. If you are aged 16-17 you will need your parent or guardian’s signed permission for participating the competition and to be accompanied on filming days.
Q. What constitutes a "band"?: All bands must include at least two members. There is no upper limit but please use your discretion!
Q. When can I enter?: Registration opens on August 11th, 2008 and closes three weeks later at midnight on August 31st, 2008 But get your entries in early so everyone using the website can get to know your music and be ready to vote for you when voting starts on September 1st, 2008. Closing of the voting will be on September 14th, 2008. See also below.
Q. When exactly does entry close?: Entry closes at midnight, Sunday 31st August 2008.
Q. What do I need to do to enter?: You must register on the Orange unsignedAct website and create a virtual Demo CD, with a minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 original tracks. Acts who have not done this will not be eligible for the Audition Phase.
Q. Can I submit tracks that are covers or include samples?: NO! All the material that you submit must be your own work. They must be your original work. You must have written all the words and music for each track. For more details please see the full Terms and Conditions.
Q. Is there a minimum or maximum length of the tracks that I upload to the site?: Please try to keep your tracks between 2 and 5 minutes in length.
Q. What type of audio files can I upload to the website?: Audio files must be in one of the following formats: “.mp3”, with a maximum file size of 3-5 MEG per file.
Q. Is there other material I can upload about myself?: Yes. After registered to the website and the competition, you can use a blog to present videos, pictures, photos and text about yourself.
Q. What kind of files can such videos and other material be in?: Visual and/or audio-visual files must be in one of the following formats: ".AVI", ".MPEG", ".MPG", ".RM", and/or ".MOV" with a maximum file size of 3-5 MEG per file. Photographs/image files must be in one of the following formats: ".JPG", ".GIF", and/or ".PNG”.
Q. Can I email my video clips and tracks or send them via post?: No. All clips and tracks must be uploaded via the website.
Q. What sort of music are the Judges looking for?: We’re open to all musical genres – this is about real music, and - as long as you are a band or singer / songwriter - whatever musical genre you’re into we want to hear it.
Q. Can I enter the competition if I have a publishing deal?: Yes, although you will need to provide a separate confirmation letter from the publisher that the publisher agrees to the use of your music according to the Terms and the Rules as well as the separate agreements you will enter into at the later stages of the competition. This confirmation letter will be sent out with the Release Form and will have to be signed before the beginning of the Auditions. You may NOT enter the competition if you have a recording contract.
Q. What if I was previously signed to record label?: This is permitted as long as that deal has now expired or been mutually cancelled. If you get through the Audition Phase you will be asked to reveal your previous contracts in order to see whether there still might be a remaining commitment to a third party.
Q. We do not have a recording contract and not a publishing deal but we do have a manager. Is this permitted?: Bands may have a manager as long as the band is not currently signed to a record label. Managers must also agree to the Orange unsignedAct terms and conditions and not interfere with the obligations of the competition. The manager will be required to sign a compliance letter confirming the above which has to be submitted together with the Release Form agreement for the Audition Phase.
Q. Are there other agreements which hinder me from taking part in the competition?: Basically all agreements in the music entertainment business are not allowed, such as tour booking agreements (but not individual gigs), merchandising agreements for example.
Q. What if I am offered a record label outside the competition between now and January 2009?: Acts must remain unsigned for the duration of the competition and if you reach the Final Stages you cannot sign such a record deal until six months after the Final or three months after you dropped out of the competition (whichever is earlier). This also applies to the other agreements mentioned above.
Q. If I take part in the competition, can I keep gigging?: Yes – you can carry on playing any gig that you or your band want to play outside the competition – as long as the dates do not clash with planned production and or campaign planning.
Q. How do we get through to the audition phase?: The top 25 bands who receive the most votes on the website will be invited to auditions along with 25 bands selected by a panel of music experts from the production company, A&R’s from a major record label, Channel 4 etc.
Q. When will I hear if I’ve made it through?: Voting closes at the end of Sunday 14th September and all successful acts will be contacted immediately thereafter by email.
Q. Where and when will the Audition Phase take place?: Successful bands will be invited to the Auditions either in Leeds or London in early October.
Q. Can I use a backing track at the Auditions?: Every act that performs at the Auditions must sing and play instruments live.
Q. What if I’ve created a song digitally?: You cannot perform at the audition if all your music is pre-recorded music. You are expected to perform live at the Auditions which does exclude you, though, from including pre-recorded or digital elements. We want to see your creativity and live performance.
Q. What happens if one member of my band drops out between now and December?: You may replace a registered band member. But in order for a new member to continue he or she has to sign all the same documents signed by the other band members.
Q. Are my music publishing rights affected by signing up?: You will retain ownership of the publishing rights. But, by uploading your tracks you are agreeing for them to be used on the website, in the TV programme and associated marketing, web and wap media. Please see the full Terms and Conditions.
Q. How much time will I have to give up?: Most filming will be at weekends although you will also need to give up several weeks between October and the end of January 2009 if you make it through to the Final Stages.
Q. Will someone help me going through all these contracts?: Yes. If you get through to the Final Stages you will receive legal advice by an independent lawyer who practices in the field of entertainment law.
Q. What if I’m really close to signing a deal?: So long as you haven’t signed a deal you are still open to enter the competition.
Q. Who can vote?: Everyone who signs up to the site can vote for their favourite singer/ songwriter or band. This all happens on the website. In later stages the TV viewers will vote even if they are not registered on the website.
Q. How does the Mixtape work?: You can add up to 10 tracks from any of the acts on the site to your Mixtape. You can also send this playlist to your friends so they can listen to the bands or singer songwriters that you like.
Q. Can I link to my page on another site?: Yes – acts can post details of their MySpace (or other) page and also get a link encouraging people to go to your Orange unsignedAct page.
Q. How many times can I vote?: During the voting period, you can vote for up to 3 different acts each day.
Q. When does voting take place?: The voting period will open on September 1st and last for two weeks until September 14th 2008 (once the application period has closed on August 31st 2008.)
Q. When’s the show on TV?: Orange unsignedAct will air on Channel 4 with 12 weekly episodes starting October 2008 until end of January 2009 – catch us on 4Music on Thursday nights and T4 on Sunday afternoons.
Q. What are the minimum technical specifications my computer must comply with to view the site?: To view the site properly, you need to be running an A-grade browser, have Javascript enabled and have Flash Player (9 or above) installed.
Q. I have a technical problem using the web site. What should I do?: Please send your query to help@orangeunsignedact.co.uk. We cannot promise to answer every email.