| Licensing you music into films is a great extra | | | | my first Indie Club meeting, I was one of two |
| income stream for you as an independent artist. | | | | music artists in the room. The cries of "We need |
| But, as with any other aspect of the music | | | | you!" were not just the voices in my head (this |
| business, you have to go through the learning | | | | time). That room full of independent filmmakers |
| curve and networking process. My experience | | | | was looking for good music that they could license |
| with film licensing, just like everything else, | | | | and still stay within their budget. |
| revolves around whom you know. | | | | I scored my first licensing deal within an hour. |
| Your first (or tenth) licensing deal probably won't | | | | Two songs in the same film, one I'd already |
| be the next Hollywood blockbuster, but that's ok. | | | | written, the other to be written specifically for |
| There are a zillion independent films that need and | | | | the movie. My tactic was simple. Ask them about |
| want your music. No, you won't be immediately | | | | their latest project. They'll be happy to tell you |
| rich and famous from having a song in an indie | | | | about it, I assure you. They'll ask what you do. |
| film, but you will probably get paid, and you'll get | | | | Tell them, but don't exaggerate. I explained that I |
| some good exposure. Remember, a good ling | | | | had not yet written for films, but just came to |
| music career is not built on one big hit. It's built on | | | | see where I fit in. This particular filmmaker then |
| a series of small projects and successes building | | | | explained to me that he couldn't find a particular |
| to bigger ones, and, of course, multiple streams | | | | song for this one scene he was working on. I told |
| of income. | | | | him I'd be happy to custom write it for him. And |
| With that in mind, independent films are a great | | | | there it was. I was being paid up front to write a |
| place to start. So where do you begin? Well, listing | | | | song. How much? I received $100 for the new |
| sites like Versus Media, Film Music Network, and | | | | song, $50 for the previously written and recorded |
| Taxi are a good place to start, but it's hard to | | | | one. Like I said, you won't get rich off of these. |
| rely on a steady income from people you've | | | | But hey, $50 to let him use a song that I'd paid |
| never met. Also, something I've learned recently | | | | for long ago is free money to me. |
| from a couple of music supervisors, is that follow | | | | For the new song, the director arranged for |
| up on your package is not required, nor | | | | recording time at the local recording arts school |
| particularly appreciated. So you really are relying | | | | where his sound editor was studying. This was |
| on your package and your music being picked out | | | | fortuitous, and not necessarily normal. Most other |
| of the pile. However, the listing services will give | | | | project I have to record myself. Because I kept |
| you access to projects you may not have known | | | | the copyright for the song (which you should |
| about otherwise. They are, therefore, a good | | | | always try to do), I was able to release the new |
| investment. | | | | song on one of my future CDs, which put more |
| An even better way to hook into independent | | | | money in my pocket. There's that multiple |
| films is to go out and meet film people. As | | | | streams of income again. And, as a topper, I was |
| musicians we tend to get stuck in our own little | | | | able to perform at the premier and sell more CDs |
| world. Hanging out with musicians, going to music | | | | there as well. I got all that just for showing up to |
| workshops and events, etc. You must take your | | | | a meeting and talking to people. I made a few |
| product to the people who need it instead of | | | | other deals at that meeting too. |
| waiting for them to come to you. | | | | So the moral of the story is to just go where |
| A great place to start is Indie Club. This is a | | | | filmmakers are and talk to them. Besides Indie |
| worldwide organization of independent filmmakers, | | | | Club, I'm sure there are other film clubs and |
| actors, crew, and everyone else. Find your local | | | | organizations in your area. Find them and make |
| chapter through the website. It's free to join. | | | | yourself a part of them. Get to know everyone, |
| Where I am, San Francisco, we have the | | | | and you have your tunes in the movies in no |
| country's largest chapter. Join their discussion list | | | | time! |
| and introduce yourself as a music artist. Go to | | | | Next time: How to get your music in movies by |
| their meetings and get-togethers. When I went to | | | | getting yourself in movies! |