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A mid-level producer want to use my song in a film FOR FREE, giving only credits in exchange

Discussion in 'Opportunities' started by Daniele Nasuti, Mar 13, 2023.

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  1. #1 Daniele Nasuti, Mar 13, 2023
    I was contacted by a producer. They want to use my song in their film and they want to do it for free, giving me only the credits (on-screen and IMDB). Is that normal for a composer like me who never did a film so far?

    I was thinking about asking 300 $ at least for the Non-Exclusive sync license. Is it too much considering I’m not famous and I haven’t any credits on IMDB?

    They said that if it’s a non-exclusive license they want it for free. And give me only the credits. The thing is they want also that I change the piano sound, PLUS they want to make a new version with a new female voice (recorded by them).

    So if I tell them I can give only the non-exclusive license for 300 $ and only if they use my original version?
    In case they want to change will cost 500 $… Do you think it’s a reasonable price?
    (I think it’s kind of big producer, their previous films were about budget 100.000 and another film it’s 10.000.000 on IMDB. But I have no idea what budget is the new film they are doing… could be a flop too, right?)
    (Have you ever had experience with chinese films? Do they collect royalties? And after how much time I can earn those?)

    PLUS about exclusivity… Could I keep all the rights on my music and original song version, and give them only the exclusivity for that specific new version of the song? (In this case I could do everything I want with my version…)
     
  2. #2 Stephen Limbaugh, Mar 13, 2023
    You should ask for an "Additional Music" credit. Then you can run around and tell potential employers that you ghost wrote for tons of stuff that you can't disclose because of NDAs, but you were able to finagle an additional music credit on this one particular film. Screw $300. Use the credit to get a full film and with real check.

    Make SURE you are included on the cue sheet and that you keep your pub.

    EDIT: oh it's a chinese film... n/m you'll never see royalties from it. But, seriously, the "Additional Music" credit is important.
     
    Rohann van Rensburg likes this.
  3. #3 Daniele Nasuti, Mar 13, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2023
    I don't like to lie, anyway I want things to be right for everyone, me included. So I asked for a bit more and with a non-excllusive license and without modifying the track. If they want that I asked more.
    Ok, that publishing and cue sheet must be in the contract if they accept my offer.

    It's a chiinese but they said film language is english and seems the producer lives in USA... so far their film were all with chinese actors...

    Anyway how much money a lawyer takes for helping me with the contract? Where I can look for a music lawyer?

    And once we signed a contract and they paid the first half of the money(suddenly after the contract sign), could they ask the money back if they don’t like the music and want to hire another composer?
    Is there something I have to write in the contract to avoid them asking the money back?
     
  4. #4 Stephen Limbaugh, Mar 13, 2023
    It’s not a lie… lying is a malicious act designed to harm. Would a potential employer be harmed by hiring you? Is it lying when a company puts on their product package “we’re #1!” ? Of course not.

    Setting up a situation where you can open a door for yourself, in an incredibly difficult industry to break into, is Hollywood streetsmarts 101.
     
    Daniele Nasuti likes this.
  5. #5 Mike Verta, Mar 14, 2023
    This whole thing sounds like complete bullshit and would get a hard pass from me. You don't have to build your career by working for smarmy shitsacks on Chinese crap.
     
    Jason Watts, Stephen Limbaugh and Daniele Nasuti like this.
  6. #6 Daniele Nasuti, Mar 14, 2023
    ahah yeah, in any case I need to work, would be at least a start experience and to begin earning something from it, I need it.

    I offered to be the composer of full sountrack and only in that case I will give the song license for free (because they will pay for the whole soundtrack, which price still have to be decided, if they accept)
     
  7. #7 Daniele Nasuti, Mar 15, 2023
    so here the answer of the chinese producer when I said they have to pay for my music:
    "thank you for your offer, good luck"

    Thanks everyone for made me understand the value of my music!!
     
  8. #8 Stephen Limbaugh, Mar 15, 2023
    lol... that's what he wrote back? What a dick. Yeah I take back what I said.
     
  9. #9 Daniele Nasuti, Mar 16, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2023
    please don't use the word "dick", that producer was a female.. :D
     
    Stephen Limbaugh likes this.
  10. #10 Mike Verta, Mar 17, 2023
    A business relationship is a relationship. You only form relationships with people you respect and value, and who feel the same way about you. Do otherwise, and it will bite you, no matter how well you rationalize it.
     
    David Healey, Jason Watts and Daniele Nasuti like this.
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