copyright clearence for student film.

[Nick]

Hi all.

Something i have been puzzled with for quite sometime is the aspect
of 'clearing' tracks for my student film, and for that matter any of my films.
Could someone enlighten me as how i can clear a track, especially
when it is from a composser who is not so well known/mainstream.
Would it be any good if i emailed the composser - although i dont
believe it is upto him at the end of the day (since its copyrighted by a
company)

Thanks for any help.
Nick

[Dave Watterson]

Something i have been puzzled with for quite sometime is the aspect
of 'clearing' tracks for my student film, and for that matter any of my
films.
Could someone enlighten me as how i can clear a track, especially
when it is from a composser who is not so well known/mainstream.
Would it be any good if i emailed the composser - although i dont
believe it is upto him at the end of the day (since its copyrighted by a
company)

Hi Nick.

For a start take a look at http://www.fvi.org.uk/central/copyright.htm which
gives you an idea of (a) how complicated this field CAN be and (b) how being
an IAC member simplifies it a lot!

CONTACT COMPOSERS

It never does any harm to contact a musician or composer. The extremely successful
ones have agents and staff who will intercept and answer your message. The
lesser-known ones like to hear that people have enjoyed their work and may
be inclined to help in different ways. Some own their own work and could
grant you the right to use it. Others may put in a word for you with the
copyright owners (often a company which has commissioned the music.) A few
may even offer to provide you with a specially written piece or an unpublished
work!

ALWAYS make it clear you are not producing the film for commercial purposes:
it is an amateur work for you, your club and some amateur festivals ... or
it is your calling-card when seeking work with professional film/tv studios.
You do not intend to broadcast it, sell it or make money from admission charges
to shows. If someone does want to buy it you can go back to the musician
and explain, offer to make some payment or share the profit etc.

OTHER RIGHTS OWNERS

A composer may sell or lease their copyright to someone else. This usually
happens if the work has been specially commissioned. Someone may have bought
it for a commercvial tv or film production. A music/record company may have
bought it. All you can do in such cases is ask. It may help if you offer
them a credit on the end of the film.

All the big music firms have people used to selling rights for film and tv
... unfortunately they may not be used to dealing with "not-for-profit" usage.
The advice in the web page mentioned above is to work through the musician's
union who are more sympathetic.

Cheers


Dave (Diddly-um-pum) Watterson

[Nick]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

Something i have been puzzled with for quite sometime is the aspect
of 'clearing' tracks for my student film, and for that matter any of my
films.
Could someone enlighten me as how i can clear a track, especially
when it is from a composser who is not so well known/mainstream.
Would it be any good if i emailed the composser - although i dont
believe it is upto him at the end of the day (since its copyrighted by
a
company)

Hi Nick.

For a start take a look at http://www.fvi.org.uk/central/copyright.htm which
gives you an idea of (a) how complicated this field CAN be and (b) how being
an IAC member simplifies it a lot!

CONTACT COMPOSERS

It never does any harm to contact a musician or composer. The extremely
successful
ones have agents and staff who will intercept and answer your message. The
lesser-known ones like to hear that people have enjoyed their work and may
be inclined to help in different ways. Some own their own work and could
grant you the right to use it. Others may put in a word for you with the
copyright owners (often a company which has commissioned the music.) A few
may even offer to provide you with a specially written piece or an unpublished
work!

ALWAYS make it clear you are not producing the film for commercial purposes:
it is an amateur work for you, your club and some amateur festivals ...
or
it is your calling-card when seeking work with professional film/tv studios.
You do not intend to broadcast it, sell it or make money from admission
charges
to shows. If someone does want to buy it you can go back to the musician
and explain, offer to make some payment or share the profit etc.

OTHER RIGHTS OWNERS

A composer may sell or lease their copyright to someone else. This usually
happens if the work has been specially commissioned. Someone may have bought
it for a commercvial tv or film production. A music/record company may have
bought it. All you can do in such cases is ask. It may help if you offer
them a credit on the end of the film.

All the big music firms have people used to selling rights for film and
tv
... unfortunately they may not be used to dealing with "not-for-profit"
usage.
The advice in the web page mentioned above is to work through the musician's
union who are more sympathetic.

Cheers


Dave (Diddly-um-pum) Watterson

Hi Dave.

Thanks alot for your comments. I have gone ahead and contacted the
composser, with the hopes he or an agent will respond.

It is certainly an area of film making i have little experience
with, and is quite complex given all the copyright rules.
In the past i have little response from the bigger music firms, therefor
your suggestion of working through the musicians union is probably my best
bet,
thanks again for your help,
Best,
Nick.
>

[Michael Slowe]

Nick, I use music all the time having relied on the IAC Copyright License
System but have just used a fantastic facility called audio network plc.
They have a massive library of sounds, music and FX and it is possible to
clear material production by production for world wide use. Their music
has been especially composed by a large team of composers and is quite the
best of these libraries that I have heard. Might be worth a look at their
web site. Dave's suggestions may suit you better costwise though - he always
has the most sensible suggestions!

Micvhael Slowe.