I believe all indie films should contain songs by local bands or even full collaboration with the songwriter on the score for the film.
Because indie films are small, filmakers tend to wear many different hats. The position of “music supervisor” often gets over-looked.
Imagine if you lived in a small town and there were only a few neighbors in your community; a plumber, electrician, carpenter, landscaper, cloth maker, clock maker and you were a painter. If you were smart, you could all help each other out once in a while and exchange services.
This is the kind of thinking that gets you into trouble, but this is what I am talking about; cross media marketing for better quality and more efficient work.
Bands should consider these details when trying to promote their music.
Benefits to the band or musicians when working with independent filmakers.
1. Getting the songs heard by more people.
| (a) | The filmaker promotes the film by taking it out to festivals | ||||||||||||||||
| (b) | Entertainment industry professionals will see the film at festivals and screenings. I have had conversations at screenings with people like; producer / engineers, musicians in various stages of their career, music supervisors for bigger films, gents, directors, producers, writers | ||||||||||||||||
| (c) | Filmakers will promote their film all over the world. | ||||||||||||||||
| (d) | Reviews of the film will often mention music used and credit the artists if the music Is thematic to the film or simply adds to the film by giving it additional esthetic elements. | ||||||||||||||||
| (e) | In cross promotion, one of the most important aspects is hands free marketing.
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| (f) | Longevity: a filmaker will continue to actively promote their film for years; reaching out to more audiences with tireless desperation, your songs attached and the band name inspiring new ears to want more. | ||||||||||||||||
| (g1) | As referenced above, filmakers in need of bonus content for their DVD release, might edit and or shoot music videos for the band to use on their DVD and help promote their film – also, creating more media content for you to use promoting your band on youtube.com – the fastest growing entertainment port-hole on the internet. YouTube is making Cable TV nervous, and probably contributed to the decline in DVD and music sales that put Tower Records out of business as well as any of the staggering left-over-WHEREHOUSE entertainment locations that have recently called it quits. | ||||||||||||||||
| (g2) | The Lesson: major economic change in the music industry and the film industry. | ||||||||||||||||
| (g3) | The solution: Look for entertainment providers with more buzz and growth than ever. YouTube.com. | ||||||||||||||||
| (g4) | The hint?
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Here are some important guidelines for music licensing:
Always make sure, when you are providing music or sound reinforcement for a film that you stress the importance of complete credits and marketing intensions of the filmaker. If you aren’t going to be paid well for your contribution, at least make sure you will get recognition and references for your time and efforts.
Credits for indie films should be strategically placed, like the name of the song or “motion picture score by”, their band name and audio production credits after that.
Benefits for the filmaker are exponential.
2. Generating more interest in the film:
| (a) | The band plays shows in different venues
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| (b) | The band promotes the film on their myspace
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| (c) | The band promotes the film on their web site | ||||||||||
| (d) | The band can help provide bonus content for DVD extras, such as music videos containing footage from the film, which will help promote the film, because the band will promote the videos on sites like youtube.com and myspace.com d1. videos can be quickly edited together from simple one day shoots or live performances shot by the production staff for the film or even photo slide shows of behind the scenes photos from the production of the film and adding more music from the band’s CD or demo. |
Proper execution: The key to success.
3. Films must contain complete credits
| (a) | Credits on the film | |
| (b) | Including URLs | |
| (c) | Songwriter names (publishing credit) | |
| (d) | Production credits | |
| (e) | Research complete music credits for films in order to find the format that best suites the film and its unique sound and music elements. | |
| (f) | Credits should be placed at the end of feature films and then add proper internet web sites for the composers, performers and music producers. |
Get it in writing.
4. Following through is always required
| (a) | Bands/artists should promote the film and saturate their current fans with ads and info about the film and its current release dates, screenings, web site links and review links | |
| (b) | Filmakers: Directors and/or Producers and/or editors should also, provide proper credits include links and info about the music provided in their films, support one or more live shows with DVD giveaways, screenings of their film or inviting the band to play at or before strategic screenings, possibly shooting and/or edging a music video for the band. |
Don’t miss out.
5. Independent music and independent film have too much to gain from getting closely involved in each others projects and too much to loose by moving through it hap hazard or not reaching out at all.
Expand your network.
6. Get more people involved with your project by finding specialists who want to gain more experience in film. It could be the difference between an obscure project and a valuable, well-known property drawing more attention and acclaim.
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Indie Film Resources:
Indie Music Resources:
Contract Sample:
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