ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXHow to obtain rights to an existing official soundtrack?
10 years, 5 months ago - Matthew Kawalski
Hello!
Has anyone from the SP community any experiences as how to obtain rights of an existing official soundtrack to be able to use it in a short film?
I made a short film and tried scoring it with 'Malena' music by Ennio Morricone. The music fits perfectly and I am trying to ask about the rights for a few months now to no avail. Mr Morricone's agents refuse to give to film to their clients consideration and publisher - Virgin Records - never replied to any email.
Any advice?
Best regards!
Matthew
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10 years, 5 months ago - Marlom Tander
They are totally within their rights to ignore you.
Are you offering money? If so, have you made that clear up front?
Morricone - if the agents have seen the film and failed to pass it on, it's probably because part of their job is to ensure that an 86 year old man isn't bothered with requests that don't fit whatever criteria have been laid down by him. TBH they could probably yea it if they wanted to. They clearly don't want to, for whatever reason.
As to Virgin, you need to work to make sure that you are talking to the right person - that's a matter of hitting phones THEN emailing the person once you have spoken. But if you are asking for free, or presenting as someone who looks like they want for free, even if you are reaching the right person, their priority is making money for their employer.
If you reach out and are ignored, find some other music.
Somewhat famously Queen (or their agents) said no to Stallone (or ignored him) when he tried to get permission to use "Another One Bites the Dust" as the theme for Rocky 3. So we got "The Eye of the Tiger" instead.
Good luck
Response from 10 years, 5 months ago - Marlom Tander SHOW
10 years, 5 months ago - Kays Alatrakchi
I think you're shortchanging yourself and your film by not giving yourself the experience of working with a composer. Will you find yourself a Morricone-caliber composer? Probably not, but so what? Just like I'm sure you didn't get yourself a Robert DeNiro or Clint Eastwood caliber actor, finding a composer who is at your level and can grow with you is part of the process of becoming a filmmaker and honing your skill. What you're trying to do is shortcut the process, and no matter how well you think Malena fits your film, it was crafted for another film with a different story and it's really not any different than if you decided to make a short film assembling scenes from other pre-existing films.
I seriously would urge you to consider finding a talented composer to work on your film, it will make you a better filmmaker, give you an understanding on how to work and communicate with another creative member of the filmmaking team, and ultimately make your film more original and unique.
While you're at it, please resist the temptation to get your composer to copy willy-nilly the Morricone tracks, and instead consider the possibility that an original soundtrack will be an even better fit to your film than you might be able to imagine at the moment.
Response from 10 years, 5 months ago - Kays Alatrakchi SHOW
10 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
http://www.clearance.com/get_yourself.htm - any help?
Response from 10 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW