Getting Your Song Into A Film
As with nearly all aspects of songwriting, the best path to getting a song placed in a film is by knowing the right person.
By Kevin Zimmerman
Successfully placing a song into a motion picture can obviously be a lucrative undertaking ? albeit (of course) a difficult one. If the song in question becomes a hit single, all the better - but even just having a song on a smash soundtrack album can generate thousands of dollars for the songwriter.
And while it’s true that your standard big-budget blockbuster will usually go with proven songwriters and performers, it’s also true that the unknown can occasionally break through: Lisa Loeb’s career was jump-started thanks to the inclusion of “Stay (I Missed You)” in Reality Bites.
Still, an unknown songwriter will face better odds for success with smaller independent films than with the latest Tom Cruise box-office behemoth. While these films by definition have smaller budgets (and therefore will pay less for music than a major studio release), having one of your compositions involved with any film can put you on the road to bigger and better things.
(For the purposes of this article, we will deal with a pre-existing song that you’re trying to get into a film, rather than a song or a score written specifically for the film.)
As with nearly all aspects of songwriting, the best path to getting a song placed in a film is by knowing the right person. Relationships with film producers and directors can be a terrific leg up, of course, but most likely you’ll want to get to know music supervisors. These are the people who usually meet with the producer and director before production has begun to decide on what types of - and how much - music the film needs, along with budget for same. The supervisor makes a list of suggested songs, composers, performers and so on, with the final decision being made by the producer and director. It’s then the supervisor’s task to round up the songs, often negotiating and structuring the deals as the process develops.
In normal circumstances, the supervisor contacts the master recording and copyright owners - usually a record label and music publisher, respectively - to discuss licensing terms. It is possible for a song that has not been previously published or registered with a performing rights society to be licensed, in which case the supervisor deals directly with the songwriter. (Even so, the songwriter should get the song published as soon as possible in order to both protect his copyright from scavengers and to generate performance income.)
All well and good - but how to locate music supervisors? Film trade publications Variety and The Hollywood Reporter list movies in production, though they do not always include information about a given production’s music supervisor. If you’re trying to do it yourself, you may want to invest in The Music Business Registry: Film & Television Music Guide (currently selling for $95; more details are available at http://www.musicregistry.com) Alternatively, you can work with your performing rights society’s film and television department to target productions you mutually think might be best for your song.
Assuming for the moment that you’re going it alone, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind when contacting a music supervisor. First is that, unlike other aspects of the business, it’s not necessary to have your attorney or some other representative make the pitch for you (unless they already have an established relationship with the supervisor in question). Second, you should be familiar with as many aspects of the particular film you’re pitching as possible: proposing a country weepie to a supervisor working on a hip-hop film, or offering a heavy-metal dirge to a supervisor working on a romantic comedy, is a waste of everyone’s time.
The chief rule: Keep it simple. Make sure that all the legalities at your end are worked out before approaching a music supervisor. Also, if they’ve shown interest in one of your songs, send only that song. This is not the time or place to show off your entire portfolio; if the supervisor would like to hear more of your stuff, he’ll ask for it. Alternatively, if you haven’t heard back immediately, that may be a good sign that your material is still under consideration. Be patient; most supervisors consider 6-10 weeks an appropriate length of time before receiving follow-up inquiries from hopeful songwriters.
There are numerous types of licensing and fees involved with getting a song placed in a film; again, your performing rights society’s film and TV production department will be a great aid in maneuvering through them.
Posted Aug 16, 2005
Member Comments
hello all i write many songs and would love to have one of my songs played in a movie please help me make the contac
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van doc taylor
the main attractions
Songs in film? Although I have not had any songs in films I do belong to Songwriters Guild of America who encourage us to use their contracts and offers legal advise. Do you think that at this point SGA’s legal coverage is good enough?
ONE OF MY DREAMS IS TO GET MY MUSIC ON FILM INDIE OR MAJOR IF THERE’S A WAY THEN I CAN BE REACHED AT .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)(bizzy)c.e.o spittfire ent,404-296-9921 atlanta, ga.
If you put out a record on your own label, through your own publishing company, does it make your songs inelligible for licensing deals?
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Hello, I’ve just completed a few great songs, one in particular is a great ballad {Celine D type} perfect for a Disney type project. Any suggestions on where / who to send them to? Much Thanks .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hello My Name Is Mr. Versa…The Name Says It All….I Am A Songwriter,Singer,Rapper,Producer, And Dj.
I Just Recently Bought And Operate My Own Record Label Called Echoed-Out-Productions. (My Web Address Will Be Available Soon) I Do R&B,Hip Hop,Club,Gospel,Jazz,And Some Country And Rock And Roll.I Am Also Able Switch My Style, To Rap Or Sing To Any Of Those Catorgories As Well.I Also Do Music For Shows,Plays,And Films,I Have Been In The Profession For Over 15 Years,And Have Worked With Some Or Most People, I’m Sure You’ve Heard Of. So If There Is Anyone Looking For These Experties, In Any Of Those Catorgories, I Will Be More Then Happy To Assist You. My Prices Are Fair And My Beats Are Unbelievable! If This Interests You Then You May Contact Me. And Since I Tend To Stay Pretty Busy, I Don’t Have A Lot Of Time To Be On This Web Site, And Will Miss A Lot Of Your Responses Or Comments, I’ll Only Be Able To Respond From My Email Or Phone Number! So Please Direct Any Of Your Interest There! My Via Email Is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Please Label Topic (E.O.P. Response) Or Call Me At 1 (850) 458-6497 Ask For Mr. Versa….. This Is For Serious Artist Only!
hello my name is Steve from the Sinister Utopia orchestra. We have completed and submitted work used in low budget films and recently picked up best soundtrack award at the brooklyn international film festival. we are based in the UK and so my question is, are there any tips or suggestions for artists working outside the US? and how do we build upon the success and acclaim we have received to create more work?
regagards Steve .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I am a singer/songwriter/musician who would like to have my original songs and music considered for film; movie or television. My website is:
http://www.malcolmsingleton.com
I am a singer/songwriter/ASCAP member& have recently signed with Horizon Management Inc. Like everyone else who has responded before me, I too would like to have my original songs
considered for Movies. T.V. & etc.
also.
http://www.arlene.ascapwebtools.com
We wrote a song that would be perfect for a romantic, well….. sex scene.
If you like it, then email us.
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[url=http://www.myspace.com/thecoatneyboys]http://www.myspace.com/thecoatneyboys[/url]
I was recently approached about having music placements in the video game market. I’m led to believe that this is also a good spring board for moving onto bigger and better things. Superstars do it to make some change when all the big name games come out. But new developers are usually looking for a bargain and often use Independent artists to fill the bill.
I’m a female rapper/songwriter from Texas who is trying to get reconized for my inspirational songs and I would love to have my songs in the film industry.If you need any song for a scene, commercial, whatever I got it. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I recently was hired by a movie producer to write songs for his movie. We currently have verbal agreement that I will retain ownership rights to the songs, but they will pay for studio time and will produce a cd that I will market and I would pay them 20% of all profits…and 80% will be my cut. Is this a good deal and where do I find standard contracts?
Iam a songwriter with many songs ranging from r&b,gospel,rap you name it I can either write it for you or collaborate with someone to make it happen.Iam currently a member of BMI,I have alot of music that I’ve made that can be featured in movies whether it be horror,adult movies etc. My music is registered with the u s copyright office,Experience The Ride with over 24 tracks that I’ve made.Iam currently working on more music that will be posted on the website shortly.My production company name is Maniac Music.My email address is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
One of my songs is currently being considered for inclusion in an Independent film. Both the Director and Producer like it and I know them well enough to know that they’re serious. The song is copyrighted and registered with BMI but insofar as what I should do should the song actually wind up being included…what’s next? What do I do? How much do I charge? There is so much I don’t know. Can anyone help me?
TIA,
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I got one of my songs placed on a network TV show, and made a lot of money just in royalties (over $4,000). I’m still getting small royalty checks for overseas performances and cable. That sparked a time where I found out all I could about music licensing and I ended up writing an ebook about it. If interested in some more tips on getting your music into TV and film and the ebook, check out [url=http://www.makingmoneywithyourmusic.com]http://www.makingmoneywithyourmusic.com[/url] Thanks, Jason
I’ve got the perfect song for a holiday/paradise/island type movie (like couples retreat). Nice ballad with a bossanova beat, sweet lyrics and island style vocal arrangements.
You can hit me up at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thanks
Tulaga Whitcombe
http://www.whitcombemedia.com
