Licensing your music to movies is a great extra revenue stream for you as an independent artist. But, like other aspects of the music business, you have to go through the learning curve and the networking process. My experience with film licensing, like everything else, revolves around people you know.
Your first (or tenth) licensing deal may not be the next Hollywood blockbuster, but it's OK. Jillian has independent images that your music wants and wants. You are not immediately rich and famous from singing a song in an indie film, but you will probably make money, and you will get some good exposure. Remember, a good ling music career is not built on one big hit. It is built on the success of small projects and large ones and on multiple revenue streams.
With that in mind, it’s a great place to start independent films. So where do you start? Okay, listing sites like Versus Media, the Film Music Network and Taxi are a good place to start, but relying on a steady income from people you have never met. Also, what I recently learned from music supervisors is that your package does not need to be followed, nor is particularly appreciated. So you really depend on your package and your music is taken from the pile. However, listing services give you access to unknown projects. Hence they are a good investment.
Another good way to get into independent films is to go out and meet cine people. As musicians we are trapped in our own little world. Meeting with musicians, going to music workshops and events, etc. You need to take your product to the people you need without waiting for them to come to you.
The indie club is a great place to start. It is a worldwide organization of independent filmmakers, actors, staff and everyone else. Find your local chapter through the IndieClub.com website. It is free to join. Where I am, San Francisco, we have the biggest chapter of the country. Join their discussion list and introduce yourself as a music artist. Go to their meetings and meetings. When I went to my first indie club meeting, I was one of two musicians in the room. "We need you!" Not just the voices in my head (this time). That room filled with independent filmmakers was looking for good music that they could license and still be within their budget.
I got my first licensing deal in an hour. Two songs in the same film, one I have already written, the other has to be written specifically for the film. My strategy is very simple. Ask them about their latest project. They will be happy to tell you about it, I assure you. They ask what you do. Tell them, but do not exaggerate. I explained that I hadn’t written for movies yet, but I came to see where it fit. This particular filmmaker then explained to me that he could not find a particular song for this one scene he was working on. I said I was happy to write a custom for him. And there it is. I get paid before I write a song. How much? I received $ 100 for a new song, $ 50 for something I had previously written and recorded. Like I said, you can’t get rich out of these. But hey, $ 50 free money for me to use a song I paid for a long time ago.
For the new song, the director set up recording time at the local recording arts school where his sound editor was studying. This is, fortunately, not the case. Most other project I have to record. Since I kept the copyright for the song (you should try it anytime), I was able to release a new song on my new CD, which put more money in my pocket. Again there are multiple earnings. And, as a topper, I was able to perform at the premiere and sell more CDs there. All I got was to show up for the meeting and talk to people. Even at that meeting I made a few more deals.
So the moral of the story is to go where the filmmakers are and talk to them. In addition to the indie club, I'm sure there are other film clubs and organizations in your area. Find them and be a part of them yourself. Get to know everyone and have your tunes in the movies anytime!
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