August 23, 2005

Curious George: Music Rights How to get them for a low-low budget short film

Hello, this is a very specific question but you never know who may be lurking out there so I'll give it a try: I am making a 30 minute or so short film in October. I've already made one this year, using music by my friend's band. This time, I want to go balls out and license some real music. There's actually a specific, obscure indie-band I have in mind that would work perfectly. I would spend a thousand or even a few thousand bucks if necessary b/c I think it could make the film. I have read that people often obtain "festival rights" (for film festival use, obviously) for free or very low cost, then negotiate later if the movie is going to be released. My problem is I have no idea how to go about doing this, short of calling the record label and sounding rather stupid and clueless. I already tried posting on CL seeking an experienced music supervisor, and have gotten only jerks trying to schill their own music...

posted by drjimmy11 19 years ago
  • There's really no easier way to go about it except through the record label. Ask them if they have a standard licensing form for your purposes. If they don't, finding a fairly standard legal form isn't too hard to dig up, and they may even just sign it if you cut them a check.
  • Hmm- doesnt it require the artist's permission too? Dont they hold the publishign rights in most cases?
  • simple look at meeeeeeeeee
  • I know this might not be the answer you're looking for specifically (especially since you already have a specific indie band in mind), but there is a lot of music being released under creative commons licenses nowadays. The Creative Commons organization has a search page which might help you find music which is available for use in commercial work. Granted, this means that you'll have to find some music which you'd like in there, but at least you won't have to worry about securing the rights as they've already been granted.
  • Most cases where a band has a standard contract, the rights to their music is owned outright by the label. That means the label is the place to go first, but this may entail expense. It depends if you can finesse a deal where you heavily credit the band or something in return for paying a bit less. Really depends on who runs the label and how hungry for money they are. An alternative if this falls thru, is to get some stock music such as from the De Wolfe music library.
  • Thank you for attempting to give me the very specific information I was looking for which obviously couldn't be found on Google which I obviously tried first.
  • Maybe try bouncing an e-mail to the band's agent? Most likely the wrong place to start, but it couldn't hurt. Curious, what's the band? How obscure?
  • I was just reading an fascinating interview with a documentary filmaker, Marilyn Agrelo, about this very subject. It is here. It doesn't really have the answer to the question, but it illustrates the hoops through which some have jumped to clear the music (the 'everybody dance now' instance is jaw-dropping) that appears in indie films. There is a follow-up blog-post here, with what may be slightly useful advice. Good luck, and if it's possible, I'm sure we would love to see the completed work.