Getting the rights to music for a film.

**spaceham** · September 20th, 2002, 08:31 PM

I'm hoping to shoot a low budget film (the same one with the cigs) and i was wondering how to get the rights to songs to play in the film. I'm not looking for the Titanic theme or anything like that, so I'm hoping to stay within a small budget. Specifically I am looking to use the song 'Brick' by Ben Folds Five, just so you know what sort of tune I'm looking for. The rest I was hoping to get from some ****** punk bands and what not. 'Brick' would be the biggest song on there.

Thanks.

**GREATwarEAGLE** · September 20th, 2002, 10:59 PM

-what country are you in?
-do you intend on selling the film?
-private screening only?
-submitting to indie film websites (like IFILM)?
-entire song or just section(s)?

Different laws and rules apply to different situations.

If it's in America, you will ultimately have to write a request, including a synopsis of the film and a description of the scene(s) in which the music accompanies.

**spaceham** · September 21st, 2002, 01:21 PM

I live in the United States. I do intend to sell the film and I could get by with just a segment of the song, not the entire thing. What kind of a submission are they looking for exactly? Kevin Smith was able to get a fairly notable soundtrack for 'Clerks' and at first glance I'm sure 'Clerks' didn't look like a blockbuster or anything.

**Yammeryammeryammer** · September 21st, 2002, 08:25 PM

I thought that the bulk of the Clerks soundtrack was added after it had debuted at Cannes, where it won two awards, and was picked up by Miramax. I know at least the opening tune were done by a local band (Love Amongst Freaks, I believe), and on home devices until it was revamped for theatrical release. At any rate, the soundtrack rights came to $27,000 US back in 1994 (more than the whole budget of the picture), for bands such as Alice in Chains and Bad Religion, and they aren't even really huge names. But I think you are better off to stay with a local band for independent film... unless of course you for some reason REALLY need that song, and are planning on entering festivals and doing stuff that might expose you to legal issues...