Music Supervisor

How much does it cost to license music rights? Does a Hollywood movie studio have to pay more to use Sweet Caroline in a blockbuster movie than, say, a high school making a yearbook DVD?

Asked by Mer almost 13 years ago

"How much does it cost" is a very complicated question, since it's different in every case. The short answer to your question is that yes, a Hollywood studio has to pay more to use Sweet Caroline in a blockbuster movie than a high school making a yearbook DVD because the blockbuster will reach more people. Here are some of the inputs we use to estimate how much a license should cost: Term: When will the project be available and how long will it be available? Territory: Where will the project be shown? Media: TV? A website? On demand? If the project will be shown online, what's the estimate of weekly traffic to the site? If it's a DVD, how many copies will be pressed? Use: What's the context of the song usage? Example: the song will be used over the end credits. Or the song will be a source cue in a scene where the two main characters are driving in a car through the Mojave desert, planning a bank heist. There are some other inputs, but these (above) are the main things we consider when making a quote, and the numbers themselves vary greatly. Most licensing reps have a good grip of the market price of their IP and quote accordingly.

If I'm a musician (and I am!) without management, what's the best way to go about getting my music considered for ads, soundtracks, etc?

Asked by Plug2 almost 13 years ago

Great question. You don't need a manager to get licensed. But it would really help to go through an independent licensing representative who pitches a catalog of music to music supervisors. You will probably have to network your way into one of those relationships. Even though selling your music should be their lifeblood, licensing reps are usually heavily backlogged with new music submissions and the best way to get their attention and jump to the front of the line is through a personal referral. If you're new to the licensing community, pick up the Film/TV guide from http://www.musicregistry.com/, and attend a few conferences. Also, contact your licensing people at ASCAP/BMI/SESAC and see if they can get you started. Targeting your pitches well will go a long way to getting you in the door. Do your research and make sure your music is appropriate for film/TV. If you can go to a music supervisor or a licensing rep and say, "I know your main character will be spending a part of next season in Afghanistan. Here's some hip new Afghani music", it's very likely that you'll be heard! So, know your market. Finally, this seems trite but it's SO important: Clearly label your CD and make sure all your files are perfectly tagged with metadata. Include master and publishing information, and your contact information. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to actually license your music if the opportunity arises. On the other hand, most people in music licensing don't care about artwork, photos, press kits, or packaging. So don't waste your money on that stuff.

Apple has always done a killer job of breaking new music in their TV ads. What other companies have the most sought-after music ad placements these days?

Asked by ShayShay almost 13 years ago

Heineken, Target, Google, and Amazon have been killing it with cool music placements lately. And of course, car ads. Always car ads. I'm seeing a lot of the cool advertising music come up in smaller campaigns that aren't necessarily on broadcast television. Lots of internet fashion videos, for example. But are they "breaking" new bands? Probably not reaching enough people to do that on the scale that traditional mass-media ads have done in the past.

How does one become a music supervisor? What is needed? I feel this is the career for me, and am told that I would be really good at this job, I love music and how it interacts with visual media.

Asked by Jack almost 12 years ago

To become a music supervisor, you have to be really good at networking.  Become a trusted music advisor to people who are making film/tv, ads and games.  Start with a few projects, do a great job, and get referred into your next ones.

Also, have a strong network of licensing reps, artists, managers, labels and publishers.  Your rolodex is your worth in this industry.

Finally, be very knowledgeable about copyright law and Union rules, and be great at reading and redlining contracts.  Your job is to protect your production company from getting sued for not securing the rights to the music they want to use.  You have to be super-organized and keep a tight paper trail.

 

I make a lot of videos that I post on YouTube, and I've yet to clear music rights for anything. I just don't even know how to go about it, or what it would cost. If I wanted to use a Jay-Z song (for example) for a silly little 2-min dog-on-skateboard video, who do I contact and what would it cost?

Asked by Stockhomes almost 13 years ago

To license a song for a YouTube spot, you need to contact at least two parties:

1) label

2) publisher

You'll tell them how long the video will be up, in what territories, on which websites, etc, and they'll give you a quote.  They also have the right to deny your request.

If you post these videos using music without permission, it's possible that the label and/or publisher can issue a Cease and Desist letter and YouTube can take them down.  If your videos get a ton of traffic, it's more likely you'll get caught.

What follow-up questions should I ask a music supervisor after he has listen to my music/tracks and is interested in them but he has to get the approval from others who also has to approve the music as well?

Asked by ivy about 11 years ago

Music supervisors haaaaaate it when artists and licensing reps ask "have you had a chance to hear my music yet?" even though it's a totally legit follow-up.  

A much better approach, especially when the music sup has already expressed interest, is to offer them extra value in your follow-ups, such as letting them know that instrumental versions are available, or that the clearance will be one-stop.

I know it can be stressful waiting to hear back on a potential placement.  If the music supervisor has expressed interest and is waiting on approvals from everyone up the chain, it might be a good time to work on your relationship. Ask him/her about other projects and see if there's another opportunity to work together.

How does the money work for a music supervisor? Are you salaried? Or do you get a flat fee per project? Or maybe some kind of revenue sharing?

Asked by thefunkydrummer over 11 years ago

I've seen a few different compensation models for music supervisors.  Sometimes it's a flat fee, sometimes it's a service fee tacked on to expenses, sometimes it's hourly.  Also, many music supervisors are salaried employees of studios or production companies.  I don't think I've seen a rev share.  

Honestly - unless you're Lady Gaga or the Rolling Stones, is there any money left in this industry?

Asked by zappaesque over 12 years ago

There's a great study on revenue streams for musicians:

http://money.futureofmusic.org/40-revenue-streams/

According to a few different sources (A2IM and Soundscan and a few others), indie record labels control between 30% to 40% of the business.  They're the largest segment.  

So I think yes, there's quite a bit of money left in this industry. 

My question is simple: HOW DO I DO WHAT YOU DO? Any advice would be much appreciated. (I live in Seattle too). Thank you!! :)

Asked by MichelleF almost 10 years ago

Perhaps not a great question for you, but if I wanted to use the sound from a TV series "playing in the background" of a scene, does this fall under fair use or is there a legal protocol? Since this falls under audio, is this a music supervisor duty?

Asked by Gilles about 9 years ago

where is my submission?

Asked by vito about 5 years ago

Hi! If someone wanted to use a recording of Rosetta Tharpe singing “Down By The Riverside” would they have to get a license through whoever runs her estate? Or is it just public domain all around?

Asked by Nat about 3 years ago

Hi there! I have a general question, could you give me an approximate rate of what one would get licensing an instrumental track (non exclusive) to a major running US TV show? Just a general number would help a lot here. Thank you!

Asked by Lizzie about 5 years ago

What type of music are you looking for and how soon do you need it?

Asked by Keith over 1 year ago