Licensing Music for your Independent Film. What's the Cost?

As independent filmmakers, it is an exciting thought to have the feel-good music of our choice backing up the mood of our motion picture.

We all love to watch movies with a great soundtrack, and we would love even more to have a great soundtrack in our movies. Having familiar, hit songs definitely brings the value to the top of the charts. Music can be expensive- especially when it is so hard to make a return with the business model of streaming and distribution. Now that you have a solid business plan- I feel much more confident in spending a little on music. Remember, that is another audience you can capture. Fans love movies based on their great soundtracks. I know I love Rob Zombie movies even more because of his soundtracks! 

The beauty of someone like Rob Zombie as a filmmaker, is that he is a musician first. His life, success and career is music. There are many added benefits for a musician turned filmmaker to having a badass soundtrack. In fact, it would be a public requirement. It is definitely worth it for him to set aside some of his larger budget for that purpose- he knows his audience, and they love music. 

When it comes to an independent film, in which you know there is a desperate need to stretch every copper cent you have to the ultimate because you have so much you want to do- and so does each member of the production crew, you have some things to think about. 

Of course, there are so many incredible independent artists who would love the opportunity to have the music credit in your film. You know you can work with them too. Yet, you know the perfect songs and familiarity goes a long way with audiences! You know a hit song would automatically increase your film's value. 

When it comes to music in your movie, we first must understand the music clearance process. 

What is music clearance?

It is the process of securing permission to use recording, and composition works owned by someone else for a specific project.

The music clearance process involves:

• Identifying the Music and determining who is the rightful owner of the work- This includes the composition and the melody. For this very purpose we typically hire a Music supervisor for any production because once we identify the necessary details then we move on to

• Negotiations- It requires negotiations in obtaining permission to use that work in the territories and media in which the exhibition of the work is planned.

• Paying those Negotiated License Fees to the Copyright Holders, which may include songwriters, publishers and record labels and documenting your agreements. We have attached the music agreements to this lesson. The goal of this process is to protect the rightful owners in ensuring that all of the legal requirements are met to avoid lawsuits that result in copyright infringement.

• This process requires a Music Supervisor- this person specializes in legally protecting the production while obtaining documented permission for the music. 

 I can tell you the process I went through as an executive producer was a tough one for music decisions. We had found wonderful independent music, but some artists came at us demanding payments like they were Rob Zombie level rock stars... we bypassed them, however, your going to deal with a lot no matter what in this industry. I will say, there were a couple of Shinedown level (hit) songs we requested through our Music Supervisor, and within filmmakerberserk.com I discuss the rate we were quoted to license it for a feature independent film. It is more than distributor's pay to license entire independent films. (It is explained in the Filmmaker Berserk Course. Several lessons in the portal showing the receipts take you through it, so take my word for it.)  

This gives you something to think about. I don't think you should spend this on whole budgets for independent film because you have to make that money back- and most filmmakers (unknowingly) operate under an antiquated mindset in a streaming world. 

Think about the revenue you have earned previously on your films. Think about potential revenue in the future based on what you learned on the previous business journey. Now think about whether a fee in the tens of thousands would be of benefit more than risk.  

You would definitely hire a music supervisor and we have all of the contracts, agreements and legal listed within Filmmaker Berserk so you can get inside the books of a 1.3 Million dollar independent film that completely humbled us to no end. Had we had this information prior to investing, it would have saved 15 years on our lives. The hard won lessons that cost over a million, it is priceless for indie filmmakers and for a film productions.

Signing Off,

Queen Berserker- Krista Grotte Saxon

filmmakerberserk.com