Many Indie filmmakers will have had a specific track or music in mind for a scene in their film, or an idea of the music to create the atmosphere throughout, to make their film perfect… only to find when they try to clear the songs or music, it’s a very expensive minefield.
Or worse, they go ahead with the music not legally licensed, meaning they could be liable for copyright infringement. Piracy doesn’t just refer to the practice of Captain Jack Sparrow and the like!
You need permission to use sync music in film, documentaries etc and there are two rights to every song or piece of music:
- The rights to the lyrics/composition of the song – the ‘Publisher’
- The rights for the recording of the song/music – the ‘Master’
You need to obtain permission from the owner of both rights to legally use it. In some cases there will be more than one writer and if just one of them refuses permission, wave goodbye to the song/music.
Sync refers to the actual composition/song—melody, lyrics and arrangement – as synchronized in timed relation with visual medium, such as a motion picture.
Covers are cheaper though right? It depends and can be complicated, for example…
“Handbags And Gladrags”, the two best-known versions were recorded by Rod Stewart in the late 1960s and then by Stereophonics who took it back into the charts in December 2001. It was actually written by Mike d’Abo in 1967 while he was the lead singer of Manfred Mann.
The song found renewed popularity following its use as the theme for UK comedy series The Office, with a version by George Webley, a British musician, composer, bandleader, and broadcaster.
Classical Music
There is also a misconception that it’s okay to use classical music written many years ago. However, with any music written by a deceased musician, the rights are likely owned by their spouse, ex-spouse, family estate etc. Certain songs might never be clearable just because of inner conflicts that have nothing to do with you or your film. Additionally, just because Mozart may have drawn his last royalty cheque long ago, every time a new arrangement or recording is created, a new master recording copyright is formed, which lasts at least 70 years depending on the global territory.
It’s always best to assume that nothing is public domain and that every piece of music has an owner. There’s an old adage in the music industry “where there’s a hit there’s a shit with a writ”
Don’t get sued, and don’t let your film be pulled because you used unlicensed, uncleared music – Software like www.tact.media is now looking across all platforms for infringements and the fines can be crippling.
You can imagine the time, paperwork and cost involved to clear the music for a major movie studio production… so how can an Independent filmmaker remove the complication, legal jargon and cost of spot buying and clearing music?
How about an Indie Filmmaker-friendly option? With our subscription based library at www.synphonix.com *, we offer a genuine cost effective solution:
- Access to high quality recordings from a library at your fingertips
- All content offered by Syncphonix are master rights and publishing cleared for worldwide use.
- All tracks recorded in stereo and supplied as WAV files, for full broadcast quality.
- One annual subscription fee, no extras or additional royalties, with no hidden costs.
- Fill your boots! Use over and over for as many films/projects you produce during your subscription.
- Just one contract to complete at the start.
- Human contact for assistance, queries, account management etc
There will be a choice of music genres catalogues, with samples of kids, ambient, northern soul and Irish country music in now. Initially, we have launched with 100’s of the very best classical tracks, with full orchestral recording, together with 300 edited 30 second highlights, all commercially prepared and immediately available in the Syncphonix app. There are filters to help select composer, tempo, mood and more. There are also some classical remixes, including a 45 minute, specially compiled ‘Frankenstein Suite’, which will no doubt tickle composers tastebuds.
Are there any film genres that classical music doesn’t work in? We have placed tracks worldwide in various productions.
What next? Sign-up now for a demo giving you instant access to the tracks, with no obligation to license at:
Contact: Debs Tarrier
WhatsApp: +44 7956 161779
Debs will be in Cannes, available for meetings from the 18th to 24th May and of course at the Filmmakers’ Villa Party by Raindance and Magnificent Films on Sunday 21st May.
Syncphonix.com and Point Classics are divisions of One Media iP Group PLC, allowing access to the vast digital music and video business with a catalogue of around 250,000 nostalgic music tracks. These include a wide range of genres spanning; rock to pop, soul to classical, children’s (including nursery rhymes) to ambient music, jazz to punk and as they say many, many more.
