No Budget / Music Licensing

DavidG

DavidG

Active member
Hey guys, basically i emailed the distributors of some drum and bass musicians that i really liked and wanted to use in a film im currently putting together. I have currently no budget to this film which is my little problem, the musicians themselves arent Very well known, but they are big in the "underground" music world.

This is the email i recieved from them today:

"Hi David, we'd of course be delighted for you to use these tunes. we need to arrange an interim license that allows you develop your file using the music to a certain stage - what kind of a music budget do you have at present?"

So, what would you do in my situation, I did mention it was a low budget film and that its still in pre production, but i always hear, "he who states the first number loses!"

How much is a normal license? There are like 2 or 3 songs that i reallly want to use...
Hope you have some wise words.

Thanks. David.
 
How much is the music worth to the film and how much are you willing to pay? Tell them your music budget is $500 (insert your own number here) and see what happens. Has the music already been published? Licenses usually involve both a publish and performance fee. Perhaps you can interest them in writing original songs for the project and negotiate from there. Let them have soundtrack rights and you keep it for the film.
 
What Michael said. No budget can't really mean nooooo budget - can it? Offer the very most you can afford and don't take it personal if they say no.
 
thanks, i emailed back, just saying its a micro budget film and were still in pre.

Im only 18 though, i worry that people wont take me seriously.. time will tell though.
 
I don't think age is an issue if you present yourself professionally and honestly. Provide them with a couple alternatives - keep in mind that if the song is published you may need to pay those rights to the publisher even if the band gives you the performance rights for free. If they wanted to create new music specifically for the project, it can appeal to their creative side, and avoid the publishing issue and you can negotiate anything from free, to little money or a % of revenue on sales.

Michael
 
if you want someone else's professional work, be prepared to pay for 18. You're 18 - so what? I work very hard at making music, and, like your film-making, is an investment that I hope will pay back. Remember, these guys need to eat, too, and they're probably investing lots of money into their own equipment, just like you are. If it's a professional piece that you want, be prepared to pay for it, it's only fair.
 
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