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November 13, 2009

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I'm kind've seeing this a little late. I just released an independent work entitled "Night" and some of the comments are helpful and all seem to have truthful observations. Am currently looking to secure some type of licensing deal with TV or film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQw8iGnaEs

MALIBU MUSIC ~ where the surf sounds loudly

Los Angeles is where it's all happening. Go to clubs, it's all about "who you know".
Be willing to work on life's ups and downs, especially when things go bad and your feelings are hurt.

Thanks to all for the comments and extra insight! I'm working through getting back to everyone who asked specific questions. Feel free to email me at rockprophecies@gmail.com anytime!

Review:
The quality of Dale's songwriting is staggering. His vocals are top notch, laced with thick layered harmonies. The production is sparkling and full. This is R&B the way I like it. Good solid beats and melodies that are so strong that there's no need for showboating. Dale's music would fit right in a playlist that included all of the greats of the genre.. Dale stands shoulder to shoulder with them with ease and confidence. If you're even slightly into R&B, you'll be doing yourself a huge injustice by not checking him out.
editor
path.com/pathradio.php

http://www.myspace.com/dalevernonmusic

As a performing musician and composer I have to agree that exposure means "nothing". Artists can create their own exposure in the new digital age. It's simple market demand. The higher up the music rung ,the more$ you will recieve. What is the VALUE of your work? Does it give VALUE to others? And...how much do you Value your Self?
One project I created "PELES BLUE" for You Tube givaway took me a month to create. I gave it away in order to create a link to my TUNECORE CD "LIVE ON MAUI". Thats one way. There are many. Be creative in your marketing strategies and have fun with it. Why else are we here for!

Also, something to be wary of...

You should NEVER pay to have your music licensed in a movie/tv show. If anyone every asks you to pay to place your song (or an agency asks you to pay them, promising to place your song) walk away!

Someone asked about major motion pictures...Those licenses can be anywhere from $15,000 - $60,000. If you have a hit song that the producers for the film have made clear they want for use as the theme song, or at the climax of the film, you have a lot of bargaining power if you haven't already signed the contract for the synchronization rights. You could potentially ask for much more than they offer to pay you...and if they want the song enough, they'll pay you.

James,

I think you're getting "publishing rights" confused with synchronization rights. When you are paid by a film company or TV show to license one of your songs, they'll usually pay a flat fee for the right to use your song in the context of the film/show. This is a direct quote from the an ASCAP article "Music, Money, Success, and the Movies":

'The motion picture synchronization fee paid to the music publisher (which is shared with the songwriter) for the use of a song includes the right to distribute the film to network, local, syndicated, pay-per-view, pay, satellite, cable and subscription television stations...'

You still own the copyright (the publishing & the master - or your label owns the master) and will also receive performance royalties from the PRO you're affiliated with every time the show/film is aired on TV.

http://www.ascap.com/filmtv/movies-part1.html

Gosh, thats a tough decision. Do you push for getting paid or do you give the film your music free just for the exposure. I strongly agree with Taz Taylor's comment. Its sad that usually the band doesnt get paid for their efforts when playing at venues but everyone one else does. And I do agree that if musicians continue to basically just give away their efforts then its more easier for film companies or clubs/gigs to pressure the musicians into giving away their music just for the exsposure. I would really have to do my homework on the associated film company and ask alot of questions about the indie film thats being produced, then make my decision based on that.

Never sign away your publishing rights even for 1 film, independent or otherwise. That's were the money is as well as the songwriter royalties. Just take a small payment for master rights for use on a nonexclusive basis or even give it to them for free. I licensed some songs to MTV for one of their programs and got nice royalties $$$$, from the publishing and songwriting and I didn't charge them for the master rights. So when dealing with indie films with low budgets I would suggest a low fee or none at all but keeping your publishing. You'll get exposure and if the film is a hit you'll reap the rewards that you deserve and not fill the filmmakers pockets for something they didn't create.

I'm working with several indie bands on promotion and marketing, and have been able to place their music in some indie films. The contract I've negotiated for my bands allows for them to share in the net profits if the movie ends up making a profit. The directors/producers love being able to share their success with the bands, and it has never been an issue when I've suggested adding that clause to the standard music licensing agreement. What could be better than to have your music placed in a movie, with the future possibility of making some money?

Hi Thea & thanks for this article, it's absoulutely a career goal of mine to have a song in a TV show, video game or movie! I often see calls for library placements, so my question to you is: is an aspriring artist better off contacting music supervisors or their assistants directly, or attempting to get placed into a music licening agency's library?

We are interested in submitting more music to the correct people that can make a real decision on placement of a record for film.

especicially in the pop/hiphop area?
www.myspace.com/misslondonforever for example.

Yea it's my town too. Everybody plays for free, everybody else gets paid.
I shell out all my cash and spend all my time working out and cant get paid for a gig. I guess here we've determined what it's worth.

Making a living playing here now is almost impossible, everyone wants exposure so clubs get free music. Some people pay to play in other places they say, and they don’t really care to pay for entertainment because someone’s always trying to expose themselves.

Hey The record company got us, but we got away (somewhat), the distributors still get us, but not all of em (TuneCore didn’t even try to).
jimmy Hendrix, Santana, Steve Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, HAHaha I'd love to see the license that suggested these guys did it for the exposure.

Do as you please, but if your available for free, My experience is you’ve determined what the market will hold as they say.
The unions Fighting all the time for pay per use.
And we undermine it with play for free or use for free.
If I don’t have a budget for a cover, I make one, or it goes without.
NOBODY Plays for Free on my Projects, I wouldn’t ask them to, and after 30 years of rack jobbers row I’m sure the musicians listed at the top of this article or their representatives were paid.
Probably not the Indies though, Hope they read the credits.

Meantime The guy askin you to do it is getting paid, and makin more today than yesterday.
He found out how to fill the project out without a budget, so there’s more money for him and other things.

Nice explanation. Most important point, "exclusive" vs "buyout" for one film.
The right to use the song if some other producer comes a calling. I have assigned several of Little Freddie King's songs to independent film directors - these cat do not have a "pot to pee in" budget. The money comes from thier pocket, mostly. They are just like the indie musician, trying to get noticed and go to the next rung on the ladder. As long as its NOT exclusive - Let'em have it.

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