MUSIC CONTRACTING
Music contracting is the foundation of Savant Productions. For more than three decades, we’ve built close, personal relationships with the top session musicians, scoring stages, engineers, orchestrators, arrangers, copyists, and production crews in the industry. These relationships allow us to assemble the right team for each project—efficiently, professionally, and at the highest level.
We work directly with producers, composers, and production teams to identify the musical needs of each project and contract musicians accordingly, with careful attention to scope, scale, and agreement requirements. Our long-standing reputation within the music community means we know who to call, how to staff sessions properly, and how to move quickly when schedules are tight.
Whether your project requires a full orchestra, specialized instrumentalists, or a custom ensemble, Savant provides experienced, reliable contracting backed by deep industry trust.
ENTERTAINMENT PAYROLL
Savant Productions is an experienced entertainment payroll provider, serving as a signatory paymaster for AFM, SAG-AFTRA, and related agreements, and as a signatory production company on select projects. We manage union and non-union payroll with precision, accuracy, and full compliance. We specialize in payroll services for music, voice overs, live performance, and related branches of entertainment.
Our payroll services include talent payments, union benefits, employer taxes, workers’ compensation, and all required filings and year-end documentation. Because payroll is handled in-house, we offer competitive rates, fast turnaround, and direct communication, ensuring musicians & voice actors are paid correctly and productions remain protected.
Doing payroll correctly is complex, and because it’s how people get paid for the work they do, also extremely important! We’ve made entertainment payroll our specialty so that production companies don’t have to worry about that part of the process. We track every penny and make sure it gets distributed to the right people, agencies, and projects every single time.
BUDGETING
Strong productions start with strong budgets. Savant works closely with clients to develop realistic, comprehensive music budgets that reflect the true scope of the project.
We review all line items in detail, identify potential risks early, and account for every aspect of production – from musicians and studios to prep, engineering, and payroll-related costs. Our goal is simple: to deliver budgets that are accurate, defensible, and free of surprises when final invoices arrive.
FULL PRODUCTION SUPPORT
While contracting and payroll are our core focus, Savant also provides trusted production support through our long-standing industry relationships.
Studio & Engineer Booking
We work regularly with all major scoring stages and recording rooms, as well as award-winning engineers. Whether you already have preferences or need guidance, we help secure the right room and technical team for the job.
Music Preparation & Orchestration Coordination
We collaborate with leading music preparation offices and orchestrators, prioritizing efficiency, quality, and turnaround. Even on tighter budgets, we know how to deliver premium results through the right partners.
Composer & Arranger Referrals
When appropriate, we help connect projects with composers and arrangers whose style, experience, and approach align with the creative vision.
Equipment Rental
From standard to specialized gear, we assist in sourcing equipment at competitive rates while maintaining professional-quality standards.
OUR APPROACH
Savant Productions is known for being thorough, responsive, and dependable. Clients trust us not only for what we do, but for how we do it – through experience, relationships, and an unwavering commitment to professional standards. Dan Savant has worked as a professional trumpet player on hundreds of scoring sessions and live engagements, so he knows the business from both ends. He created Savant Productions with the vision of improving the business side of music and making it work well for everyone involved. Musicians, composers, producers, engineers, orchestrators, and everyone in between truly love working with Savant Productions and have a deep respect for the way we do business.
Our job is to remove complexity, protect your production, and keep every moving part aligned so the music comes first!
