Music video royalties

longshanks

longshanks

Well-known member
Hello all,

I recently was asked permission by a very small indie music label if they could use some music videos I did for a friend. In their email they told me they would like to package them into a DVD with the album soon to be released. Not surprisingly, they said they couldn't pay me. :(

I am wondering, should I request a percentage of any of the profits made or a royalty fee to use my work? Or is this so small that I should just give it for free with the consideration that its free marketing so to speak?
 
Watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

If they couldn't afford to pay you now, it's unlikely that you'll ever see a dime from DVD profits. You won't get any free marketing from this either. So either just give it away for free or tell them no, but expect nothing from it.
 
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that..was hilarious!

what i'd really like to know is, has anyone had first-hand experience with this sort of proposition? is asking for a percentage even worth it, small as it may be?
 
I'll tell you what my agent told me. Tell them to pay you or that they should go shi* in their hat.
 
Erik Olson said:
I'll tell you what my agent told me. Tell them to pay you or that they should go shi* in their hat.
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erik, i remember talking with you about cameras over the phone last year. i don't know if you remember or not but i was the guy who was trying to decide what cameras to use for the 'american chopper' style reality show i was doing.

anyways, i really enjoyed talking with you over the phone, you're a nice guy :thumbup:

as far as your agent, blunt and to the point, i like that. :)

it seems that i'm finding out that everyone wants you to work for free in this profession.
 
Deferred pay means no pay. The simple math to this is X percent of nada equals nada. If they thought for a minute they could play you a percentage later on, they'd jump at the chance to save money by handing you a grand and calling it done right now.
I bet you could use some music though, right? A barder deal is not giving anything away. It's asking them to meet you in the middle by offering something they have. Nothing wrong with getting creative to make it work.
 
longshanks said:
erik, i remember talking with you about cameras over the phone last year. i don't know if you remember or not but i was the guy who was trying to decide what cameras to use for the 'american chopper' style reality show i was doing.

anyways, i really enjoyed talking with you over the phone, you're a nice guy :thumbup:

as far as your agent, blunt and to the point, i like that. :)

it seems that i'm finding out that everyone wants you to work for free in this profession.
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Thanks, and back at you. What did you end up doing on that show?

And on the agent, yep - he's a real pistol. Too many years in the business, hearing too many lies and seeing too much stolen can make you a to-the-point kind of guy!

e
 
Erik Olson said:
Thanks, and back at you. What did you end up doing on that show?

And on the agent, yep - he's a real pistol. Too many years in the business, hearing too many lies and seeing too much stolen can make you a to-the-point kind of guy!

e
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well, the show never saw the light of day. :( and probably never will

it was an enterpurial project by some marketing dude who hasn't a flippin clue about anything other than ordering t-shirts, stickers, and posters for something that doesn't have a fighting chance.

so in short, we ended up with the humble DVX (which i love by the way) and zero budget. however, i learned a lot!

here is a link to some of the work:

http://www.vimeo.com/2172169
 
longshanks said:
Hello all,

I recently was asked permission by a very small indie music label if they could use some music videos I did for a friend. In their email they told me they would like to package them into a DVD with the album soon to be released. Not surprisingly, they said they couldn't pay me. :(

I am wondering, should I request a percentage of any of the profits made or a royalty fee to use my work? Or is this so small that I should just give it for free with the consideration that its free marketing so to speak?
Click to expand...

I know, it's a kick for someone to say that your work is desirable. But think about it. Do they want it bad enough to pay a fee to license your work for limited use, i.e., processing your videos into DVD form for the purpose of marketing their client's new CD?


Let's face it, it's their job to sell the music. If they need to con someone to sweeten' the chance of it selling, the project is iffy in the first place. Don't be a mark. If your DVD is good, market it.
 
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PT Barnum mentioned a particular group of people with leanings in this direction. If they really think your stuff is that good, negotiate a royalty. ie. Certain amount up front and then so much per CD sale.
 
craigbowman said:
PT Barnum mentioned a particular group of people with leanings in this direction. If they really think your stuff is that good, negotiate a royalty. ie. Certain amount up front and then so much per CD sale.
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i totally agree.

i just don't have any idea what rates to charge because so much is dependent on content, distribution, and volume.

are you or anyone else aware of any good websites or links that cover going rates?
 
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