Composing : Theme song for a kid's TV show or film by Marlene Hamerling

You need to get a 'music supervisor' to pick it up for a film or tv show. There are many sites that claim to promote your music but make you pay up front for them to do that and there are 'some' who have success with those sites but the odds are low. Now nothing I know gives you an large probability but for me, I much rather pay a percentage if it is placed when there is money to be divided up. So I know a professional music supervisor Barry Coffing, who has had success placing music like yours (versus soundtracks and cues which don't work well with music supervisors imho). His placements include all the major studios and some films have won oscars. Site is www.musicsupervisor.com. It seems to me that commercial music tracks are often no different from people. As you said, its being the right place at the right time with the right sound that the decision maker wants for that spot in the film (one reason we call the process 'spotting' :) ). It sometimes comes through referral or the decision maker knowing who you are or something about your 'sound'. Now the sync licensing fees are going to be quite nice for tv and film placement since they have rather large budgets. If you want to take a 'crack' at a totally different lower end market where your music can be used for things like videos and cinematic wedding 'reels' where music plays in the background, you can try www.songfreedom.com (and check out the Facebook group, "Music Licensing Resources"). Fees there are typically under $50 per license and you'll make a bride and groom happy! :)

Wow! I had no idea about ANY of this! I was, basically, going through the resources I had with connections to the kids' market -- which were pretty meager. I checked out the website you mentioned. Not just fantastic stats but what I consider to be a very logical and ethical agreement. Thank you SO much for taking the time to share this. And if I might impose with one more question... Do you think I should edit the mp3 and remove the upfront dialogue, so it starts with just the music? Again...thank you, thank you, thank you!

Marlene - no video required for this. Make an mp3 of just the music. Consider it a 'first arrangement' and look for other 'manifestations'. For example, I can 'hear it' on Sesame Street - that sort of music 'genre' is arranged in a certain way - listen to music on that program to get a feel. I can also 'hear' it with percussion (i.e., a drum set as used by a band) and I can also hear it with a mushy string section.

Hi Joel. Thanks so much for your timely reply. I apologize for not doing the same. I had two auditions -- one of which was a 5-scene self-tape that I had to prep for, shoot, and then edit. So... here I am. I understand that no video is required. And I can cut out the dialogue and start at the music. But are you saying that I should also record several other versions? I, honestly, have no idea where I'll find a "mushy string section" on my budget.:-)

you either get some live performers or you can go to any number of composers in LA to do an electronic arrangement for you. There are so many in LA! :) Here is an example of what can be done electronically with a mushy string section and percussion - the only thing 'live' is the singer: http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=122241 Live is preferable to electronic whenever possible.

After listening to that lovely holiday song, I searched for you on the site. You're not only prolific but diverse! I randomly selected a few classical and pop, then ended up doing a generic "Latin" dance around the living room to the live performance of Good Man Zen and polished it off with a tango to Dominion. Made my Sunday afternoon.:-) Since my move to LA, I've been mostly acting and have many fewer musician friends than I had in NY. And when I seriously thought about it just now... all of them are drummers! Now how did THAT happen?:-) But I'm sure they have contacts for electronic arrangements and I will inquire. Thanks again, again, again.

Much of the live music you hear came from my 12 year association with Houston Community College (which taught me music and orchestration from scratch). Since I was unable to find classical ensembles and orchestras (except once), they offered me an opportunity to learn how to score for a large live ensemble by doing charts and playing in a jazz big band which I did for many years. I continue to get performers from HCC to play my material. In the case of Good Man Zen (which was a homework assignment for composing class), I bartered my videography services for them playing two original charts and one arrangement. You can watch the original on my youtube/joelirwin account and the arrangement for Jobim's Vivo Sunhando (www.stage32.com/media/1090020385564403990) is here as well as my chart for the big band arrangement of the 1958 hit topsy (www.stage32.com/media/644309202969309144). While some may just think of these mentions as purely for promotional purposes - I mention all of these so you and see and hear what is possible through an association with a school, especially a community college. These are classes even though the Jobim, Good Man Zen, and Shiffie were performed in a well known Houston Jazz nightclub called "Cezzane's". I only pay for the two classes I take (composition and jazz improvisation) which cost me together about $400 a semester. That gives me access to many additional classes and ensembles and allows me to get my music played live at no additional cost. I am certain one can do the same thing in LA with any genre - whether it be classical or jazz (and don't forget church musicians and performances of your material which are also often at no cost).

You are just a font of good advice.:-) And it's wonderful that you've developed such a fruitful associated with HCC (for both of you, I'm sure). I'm very fond of both Jobim's music and Topsy... well there are a gazillion arrangements for it, aren't there?:-) I very much liked what you've done with both tunes. But I'd check out the Topsy video. It kept stopping and starting and, since nothing else I've been playing has done that, there might be a problem with the video, itself. Hope this helps.

It's a catchy tune Marlene - good work. Honestly, I am not sure you could license the track as is, but publishing your music may be a better idea, have someone else do the recording and get it produced for something like Sesame Street would be great.

Thanks, Samuel. I, basically, recorded it so I'd have SOMETHING for someone to listen to, and submitting the recording was the easiest way to get it copyrighted. Are you suggesting, as Joel did, that I record a version that would work specifically for Sesame Street? Thanks, again. (And do you prefer Sam or Samuel?)

Marlene - the topsy video has been around for years. If it starts and stops its on your end. I have seen it many times - runs fine for me. By the way, these guys never saw that chart before (e.g., it was never rehearsed). It was a 'first reading' which was pretty awesome considering.

Marlene, I agree with Samuel that collaboration with someone to produce the song is a better opportunity. I have been involved with "Wholesome Family Productions" for 15 years now and have recorded several songs for children's shows (I have one currently in production now for one of my films). The following link has a very simple song written by the producer (who is not a musician) with music recorded in Colorado by a musician, and sung by the shows star (a professional singer) in my studio then played back on set for the filming https://www.stage32.com/media/827665573486798183. It won numerous awards. We had a band create a theme song for a Women's beauty and fashion show which aired on several networks in order to gain notority (no pay). We produce storytelling shows which contain numerous short songs that we have produced. Even if the song does air you may not see any revenue if it airs in other countries (that happened to a musician friend who now owns a major recording studio in Manhattan). So be sure you are creating for notority first before royalty. I know many good and great song writers who had early songs simply used to get to an opportunity.