I am pretty excited-- I got an email back from a musician who lives in my state, is not yet famous per se but does have several CDs out of her music; her music belongs on the radio, it is incredible. I scouted for local music at my local music store, found her CD, checked her website, previewed the music, bought the CD. I emailed her asking if she would consider letting me use her music in a short film(s) and she said yes. Just for film credits, awesome. Anyhow, I mention this because it might help some of you all--consider approaching local/regional musicians about such a win+win deal. You use their music, they get film credits and exposure at film festivals, youtube.com, etc.
?Beowulf
Independent Filmmaking
http://borealpictures.com
Excellent news!
Since her CD is commercially available do her a favor and fill out all the proper paperwork with BMI and/or ASCAP - she'll get sync right credits which can help her. And even with no money changing hands - especially with no money changing hands - make sure you have a contract drawn up detailing how the song will be used, the limits YOU have in using the song and exactly how the credits will read on the movie itself and in any promotional material.
Nothing worse than a good, creative relationship getting ruined due to a small misunderstanding.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
quote:
Originally posted by certified instigator
Excellent news!Since her CD is commercially available do her a favor and fill out all the proper paperwork with BMI and/or ASCAP - she'll get sync right credits which can help her. And even with no money changing hands - especially with no money changing hands - make sure you have a contract drawn up detailing how the song will be used, the limits YOU have in using the song and exactly how the credits will read on the movie itself and in any promotional material.
Nothing worse than a good, creative relationship getting ruined due to a small misunderstanding.
Good advise. I hate business, legal stuff, etc. but it is a necessary evil that must be dealt with. I have advance time so time to start it rolling and have her get that permission from BMI / publisher etc.
Per chance, does anybody here have a boilerplate legal form for doing this? It must be done all the time, no need to reinvent the wheel.
Independent Filmmaking
http://borealpictures.com
I just went through the same thing. I found a piece of music I absolutely love, and it is absolutely perfect for my short. Except I never even did a face to face. I'm in Florida and the artist is in the U.K. I just sent her the paperwork I needed filled out and she mailed it all back to me. She emailed me the music, and I'm good to go.
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
quote:
Originally posted by danstin studios
I just went through the same thing. I found a piece of music I absolutely love, and it is absolutely perfect for my short. Except I never even did a face to face. I'm in Florida and the artist is in the U.K. I just sent her the paperwork I needed filled out and she mailed it all back to me. She emailed me the music, and I'm good to go.
Could you share that paperwork here a template? Just copy and paste it into a message here? That would be awesome.
Independent Filmmaking
http://borealpictures.com
Actually, I wasn't real confident in my ability to make a form from scratch, so I did a little internet research, and at ?url? http://www.stormforcepictures.com/preproduction-legalmumbojumbo.php?/url?
There is a whole list of various providers of release forms for everything from actors to producers to locations to music, as well as NDA's. I used the materials release form from ?url? http://www.videouniversity.com/releases.htm?/url? and changed it around just a little bit to work for me. It probably isn't bulletproof, but I would consider the best short of hiring a lawyer. However, someone was just telling me about a site that allows you to download all sorts of forms for free that are pretty generic and cover all sorts of things, not necessarily specific, on top of which they will make a custom bulletproof form for you to your specifications for only $25. Apparently it's run from India, and lawyers over their at the same level as a lawyer here make about $3,000 a year. It translates into them being rich their, and us using their expertise at a smaller price. I don't know the URL, but go ahead and search for it.
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis
