ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXRates for using existing music in a short film / commissioning new music
12 years, 6 months ago - Emma Dove
Hello Shooters,
We have recently acquired permission from a musician to use music from his album in our short documentary. The documentary will be available online and will also be playing in a public space (university). We hope to produce a longer film at a later date and, if successful, would like to commission the same musician to compose a new piece for the longer doc.
So, firstly, can anyone direct me towards the going rates to pay a musician to use one of their already existing tracks on a short film? (not for broadcast)
Also, can anyone tell me going rates for commissioning a musician to compose a piece of music for film? (the film would most likely be an hour long and would be intended for broadcast).
Thanks!
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12 years, 6 months ago - Marlom Tander
http://www.prsformusic.com/users/productionmusic/Documents/ProductionMusicRateCard2013.pdf
In practice I've cleared rights for FREE (ok, a credit) from friends for non commercial projects. 50 quid (for a couple hours work making a loop) for one where there was some budget..
But, speaking as a highly unsuccessful muscian, if you want some serious hours of work done JUST FOR YOU, then you need to offer something appropriate for that workload. And don't forget the recording costs...
This can then be discounted by discussing who gets what rights/royalties (if the music has scope for life beyond your film). If, for example, your soundtrack is in effect his next album, then you might get film rights for free in return for paying the production costs and some deal on soundtrack album royalties.
Response from 12 years, 6 months ago - Marlom Tander SHOW