Hi there, I'm in post production on a feature film, and I want to use the cover of a popular song. Both bands are well-known, but the original one may be unreachable. I don't know... I've never approached a band this big before. I've received permission for festival use only from the band who did the cover, and I've emailed Universal Publishing about getting the same from the songwriters. Anyone with any experience in this have any suggestions about how I ought to proceed? I fear I waited too long to get the permission in time for the festivals I'll be submitting to. And of course, my budget has been stretched as it is, so I may not even be able to afford it anyway... Is this ever negotiable? Any conversation around the topic of acquiring rights to music will help! Thanks!
Post-Production : Getting rights to a song by Johnnie Mazzocco
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I think you need a good experienced Music Supervisor to clear the songs for you. Pricing is all over the map depending on the popularity of the song and the Band. Having someone record a "Cover" of the original song will cost a lot less for a 'Hit" song. I can suggest a very reasonable LA based Music Supervisor that can help you.
But I need to get clearance from both the "cover" band as well as the original, right? I have a feeling a Music Supervisor is probably out of my budget, but sure, if you can pass on a name, I'll definitely check it out.
It is the publisher of the music that will clear either the original or the cover version. Music Supervisors will take a small % of what the license costs... info@halffullmusicsoup.com Tel: (424) 248-7695 contact name is Jay Costa... Tell him I referred you to him... he'll take good care of you... Hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the info, Thomas. I appreciate it! I'll contact Jay soon.
There is only one place that I would start working with that can diligently handle such a process and be upfront about fees etc - APM. (apmmusic.com)
Hi Johnnie, if the price goes crazy the other thing to do is ask someone like myself to do a"copy", its like getting a temp track from a music editor, and the director saying this is the style and feel, we can't afford to use this but create me something similar but avoiding copyright. Sometimes its even better as its original and you can add your own signature to it. Thanks Simon Watt www.libertymusicdesign.com.au
Johnnie, check out this web site. They have a lot of good information about using songs in film. This link should show their content filtered on the tag "songs in film": http://www.artistshousemusic.org/node/5368/3428. Best of luck with your project. ~ Paul
Paul is right on!!
Thanks to everyone for your input! I'll follow up on all of it!