Industries in the Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries subsector group establishments involved in the production and distribution of motion pictures and sound recordings. While producers and distributors of motion pictures and sound recordings issue works for sale as traditional publishers do, the processes are sufficiently different to warrant placing establishments engaged in these activities in a separate subsector. Production is typically a complex process that involves several distinct types of establishments that are engaged in activities, such as contracting with performers, creating the film or sound content, and providing technical postproduction services. Film distribution is often to exhibitors, such as theaters and broadcasters, rather than through the wholesale and retail distribution chain. When the product is in a mass-produced form, NAICS treats production and distribution as the major economic activity as it does in the Publishing Industries subsector, rather than as a subsidiary activity to the manufacture of such products.
This subsector does not include establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of videocassettes and sound recordings, such as compact discs and audio tapes; these establishments are included in the Wholesale Trade sector. Reproduction of videocassettes and sound recordings that is carried out separately from establishments engaged in production and distribution is treated in NAICS as a manufacturing activity.
5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the production and/or
distribution of motion pictures, videos, television programs, or commercials; in the exhibition
of motion pictures; or in the provision of postproduction and related services.
51211 Motion Picture and Video Production
See industry description for 512110 below.
512110 Motion Picture and Video Production
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing, or producing and
distributing motion pictures, videos, television programs, or television commercials.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Producing motion pictures and videos on contract as independent producers - classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers;
- Providing teleproduction and other postproduction services - classified in U.S. Industry 512191, Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services;
- Providing video taping of weddings, special events, and/or business inventories - classified in Industry 54192, Photographic Services;
- Providing motion picture laboratory services - classified in U.S. Industry 512199, Other Motion Picture and Video Industries;
- Providing mass duplication and packaging of video tapes - classified in U.S. Industry 334612, Prerecorded Compact Disc (except Software), Tape, and Record Reproducing; and
- Acquiring distribution rights and distributing motion pictures and videos - classified in Industry 512120, Motion Picture and Video Distribution.
51212 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
See industry description for 512120 below.
512120 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acquiring distribution rights and
distributing film and video productions to motion picture theaters, television networks and
stations, and exhibitors.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Producing and distributing motion pictures and videos - classified in Industry 512120, Motion Picture and Video Production;
- Merchant wholesale distribution of blank video cassette tapes and discs - classified in Industry 423690, Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers;
- Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded video cassette tapes and discs - classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers;
- Providing mass duplication and packaging of video tapes - classified in U.S. Industry 334612, Prerecorded Compact Disc (except Software), Tape, and Record Reproducing;
- Providing motion picture footage (via film libraries) to producers - classified in U.S. Industry 512199, Other Motion Picture and Video Industries;
- Renting video tapes and discs to the general public - classified in Industry 532230, Video Tape and Disc Rental; and
- Selling video cassettes and discs to the general public - classified in Industry 451220, Prerecorded Tape, Compact Disc and Record Stores.
51213 Motion Picture and Video Exhibition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating motion picture theaters
and/or exhibiting motion pictures or videos at film festivals, and so forth.
512131 Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating motion picture
theaters (except drive-ins) and/or exhibiting motion pictures or videos at film festivals, and so
forth.
Learn about operating an Art Film Theater.
512132 Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating drive-in motion
picture theaters.
51219 Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and
Video Industries
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing postproduction services and
other services to the motion picture industry, including specialized motion picture or video
postproduction services, such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling, subtitling, credits,
closed captioning, and computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as
developing and processing motion picture film.
Illustrative Examples:
Motion picture film laboratories; Stock footage film libraries; Postproduction facilities;
Teleproduction services.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Mass duplicating video tapes and film - classified in Industry 33461, Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media;
- Providing audio services for film, television, and video productions - classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
- Renting wardrobes and costumes for motion picture production - classified in Industry 532220, Formal Wear and Costume Rental;
- Renting studio equipment - classified in Industry 532490, Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing; and
- Casting actors and actresses with production companies - classified in Industry 561311, Employment Placement Agencies.
512191 Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized motion
picture or video postproduction services, such as editing, film/tape transfers, subtitling,
credits, closed captioning, and animation and special effects.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Mass duplicating video tapes and film - classified in Industry 33461, Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media;
- Developing and processing motion picture film - classified in U.S. Industry 512199, Other Motion Picture and Video Industries;
- Providing audio services for film, television, and video productions - classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios; and
- Acquiring distribution rights and distributing film and video productions to motion picture theaters, television networks and stations, and exhibitors - classified in Industry 512120, Motion Picture and Video Distribution.
512199 Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing motion picture and
video services (except motion picture and video production, distribution, exhibition, and
teleproduction and other postproduction services).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Renting wardrobes and costumes for motion picture production - classified in Industry 532220, Formal Wear and Costume Rental;
- Renting studio equipment - classified in Industry 532490, Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing;
- Casting actors and actresses with production companies - classified in Industry 561311, Employment Placement Agencies;
- Motion picture and video production - classified in Industry 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production;
- Motion picture and video distribution - classified in Industry 512120, Motion Picture and Video Distribution;
- Teleproduction and other postproduction services - classified in U.S. Industry 512191, Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services; and
- Motion picture and video exhibition - classified in Industry 51213, Motion Picture and Video Exhibition.
5122 Sound Recording Industries
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing and distributing
musical recordings, in publishing music, or in providing sound recording and related services.
51221 Record Production
See industry description for 512210 below.
512210 Record Production
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production (e.g., tapes, CDs).
These establishments contract with artists and arrange and finance the production of original
master recordings. Establishments in this industry hold the copyright to the master recording and
derive most of their revenues from the sales, leasing, and licensing of master recordings.
Establishments in this industry do not have their own duplication or distribution capabilities.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Releasing, promoting, and distributing recordings - classified in Industry 512220, Integrated Record Production/Distribution;
- Promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media - classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
- Mass duplication services - classified in U.S. Industry 334612, Prerecorded Compact Disc (except Software), Tape, and Record Reproducing;
- Merchant wholesale distribution of blank audio cassettes, tapes, and discs - classified in Industry 423690, Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers;
- Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded audio cassettes, tapes, and discs - classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers;
- Managing the careers of artists - classified in Industry 711410, Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers and Other Public Figures;
- Providing facilities and technical expertise for recording musical performances - classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios; and
- Producing albums on contract as independent producers - classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
51222 Integrated Record Production/Distribution
See industry description for 512220 below.
512220 Integrated Record Production/Distribution
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in releasing, promoting, and
distributing sound recordings. These establishments manufacture or arrange for the manufacture of
recordings, such as audio tapes/cassettes and compact discs, and promote and distribute these
products to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to the public. Establishments in this industry
produce master recordings themselves, or obtain reproduction and distribution rights to master
recordings produced by record production companies or other integrated record companies.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Contracting with musical artists, arranging for the production of master recordings, and marketing the reproduction rights - classified in Industry 512210, Record Production;
- Providing facilities and technical expertise for recording musical performances - classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
- Mass duplication of recorded products - classified in U.S. Industry 334612, Prerecorded Compact Disc (except Software), Tape, and Record Reproducing;
- Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded audio cassettes, tapes, and discs - classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers; and
- Retailing records, tapes, and compact discs without producing recordings - classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade.
51223 Music Publishers
See industry description for 512230 below.
512230 Music Publishers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acquiring and registering copyrights
for musical compositions in accordance with law and promoting and authorizing the use of these
compositions in recordings, radio, television, motion pictures, live performances, print, or
other media. Establishments in this industry represent the interests of the songwriter or other
owners of musical compositions to produce revenues from the use of such works, generally through
licensing agreements. These establishments may own the copyright or act as administrator of the
music copyrights on behalf of copyright owners. Publishers of music books and sheet music are
included in this industry.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged as independent songwriters who act as their own publishers are classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
51224 Sound Recording Studios
See industry description for 512240 below.
512240 Sound Recording Studios
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing the facilities and
technical expertise for sound recording in a studio. This industry includes establishments that
provide audio production and postproduction services to produce master recordings. These
establishments may provide audio services for film, television, and video productions.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings - classified in Industry 512220, Integrated Record Production/Distribution;
- Providing mass duplication of recorded products - classified in U.S. Industry 334612, Prerecorded Compact Disc (except Software), Tape, and Record Reproducing; and
- Contracting with musical artists, arranging for the production of master recordings, and marketing the reproduction rights - classified in Industry 512210, Record Production.
51229 Other Sound Recording Industries
See industry description for 512290 below.
512290 Other Sound Recording Industries
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing sound recording services
(except record production, distribution, music publishing, and sound recording in a studio).
Establishments in this industry provide services, such as the audio recording of meetings and
conferences.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Producing records, including contracting with musical artists, arranging and financing the production of master recordings, and marketing the reproduction rights - classified in Industry 512210, Record Production;
- Releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings - classified in Industry 512220, Integrated Record Production/Distribution;
- Promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media - classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
- Providing facilities and expertise for recording musical performance - classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
- Providing mass duplication of recorded products - classified in U.S. Industry 334612, Prerecorded Compact Disc (except Software), Tape, and Record Reproducing; and
- Organizing and promoting the presentation of performing arts productions - classified in Industry Group 7113, Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports and Similar Events.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
