Following up with Companies

[Casey H]

I just finished reading all of these posts. I would love to here from Michael if this issue was resolved or not. (But I understand if possibly you just CAN'T talk about it for some reason too).

Second, I recently had a placement with a television news program and had to do a lot of communication back and forth with the producers. They called me. I also had their emails and several different cell #s. I was very careful to ask permission to call and only if they needed it. This placement wasn't through Taxi, but indirectly, because I had created a recording and missed a Taxi deadline in July of 2012.

So I've never had a forward to a deal through Taxi (yet).

I'd love to understand how it all works when a deal goes through. So, as I understand it, when a forward gets accepted by a company, then Taxi sends you an email saying "Company XYZ" has decided to use your track "Disco Flames" for their show "Pretty Princesses of Love". The supervisor's cell # is 895-555-5555. Good luck!

How does it all go down? Fill us in (without actual names and phone numbers).

Once Taxi sends the forwarded music, they are out of the loop. They send your contact info along with the forward. If the listing party is interested, they contact you directly by phone or email.

Casey

[admin]

Hi All,

The industry is changing pretty rapidly, and the speed at which music supervisors (especially those working on weekly episodic shows) have to work is very brisk, to say the least. One of the reasons they like to work with one-stop libraries and catalogs so much is that the music has been pre-cleared -- meaning that the ownership of the master recording and the copyright have been identified and appear to be problem free, and oftentimes, an approved licensing price has been established.

When music supervisors work directly with TAXI, they prefer to remain anonymous initially, and have TAXI do some of the legwork on pre-clearing the song or track. We don't participate in the deal, but we may call or email you to make sure that you indeed own or control the copyright and master recording. We might also let you know at that point how much the supervisor has offer to license your music for.

Again, we don't participate in the deal, but we do try to help make sure you get the deal by doing some of initial fact-finding that supervisors typically need done, and done in a hurry. The reason fewer supervisors are willing to do that initial legwork with Indie musicians is largely due to lack of knowledge on industry processes and norms by many musicians who've never been through the process before.

Best advice, if you see TAXI's number show up on your caller ID, it's a good idea to return the call quickly, as we may calling to say, "We just got a call from a music supervisor who is interested in licensing your song for XYZ show, and they need to quickly know who the owners of the master are, who owns and/or controls the copyright, and if you'd be interested in licensing the song/track for $XYZ?"

If all is Kosher on your end, we relay that info back to the supervisor, and they generally send you a license request or quote, and have you fill out the rest of the necessary paperwork. And of course, even supervisors who might have wished to remain anonymous in the initial stage (to avoid getting carpet bombed with calls, questions, etc.), will now be fully disclosed to you.

The keys to successful music licensing once your music has been picked, are ease of use, and making sure all rights are "Kosher."

And once again, TAXI does not take a percentage or participate in the deal. In most, if not all cases where the deal is direct to the music supervisor/show/film, you will retain all ownership of your copyright, and earn 100% of the income.

BTW, Casey is correct in stating that there have also been/are cases where the industry person will contact you directly after TAXI has recommended your music.

Hope this helps,
Michael

[mikeymike2000]

@Mike and Di.

I can feel fairly confident, regardless of the quality of your music, I, for one, will most likely never refer you to one of the publishers with whom I have an ongoing relationship. Both of you, IMO, have demonstrated that my relationship with my publisher would be at risk.

Hi Chuck,

I am not here to beat a dead horse. But I gotta ask you...

Why is that?

I can't imagine you or anyone here just randomly introducing me to any publishers anyway but why would your relationship with a publisher be at risk if you introduce me? Please, help me learn here. What did I just say that is completely wrong? Why did I just lose you as a friend over some words on the screen?

I think you are a great guy Chuck, but maybe not, maybe I should take the same attitude and say - Ya know you wrote one or two sentences I just didn't like. I will never talk to you again, I will never introduce you to anyone who I work with. You speak your mind, that makes you dangerous.

Maybe there is something to this ya know, maybe if I challenge someone in a position that has the "power to help me" maybe that person will not only not help me but then blacklist me for life over one sentence. We are all teachers and we are all students. If you or anyone thinks you are only here to teach and not learn (sometimes) too then I am completely wrong about this group of people.

Wow, Chuck, your comment has been a real eye opener for me!! I now question the validity of what many people say here and wonder if they say it cause they mean it or if the say it cause they just want to be liked and want to get ahead by only being sweet and never raising an objection. I think you know me enough to know that I am not the guy who goes and bitches about everything or challenges things on a regular basis. Your statement shows that we don't have a relationship at all and it is likely that your relationships are not that strong.

And it is this kind of "censorship by fear" that you are alluding to that is behind my ENTIRE statement from the start.

[mazz]

@Mike and Di.

I can feel fairly confident, regardless of the quality of your music, I, for one, will most likely never refer you to one of the publishers with whom I have an ongoing relationship. Both of you, IMO, have demonstrated that my relationship with my publisher would be at risk.

Hi Chuck,

I am not here to beat a dead horse. But I gotta ask you...

Why is that?

I can't imagine you or anyone here just randomly introducing me to any publishers anyway but why would your relationship with a publisher be at risk if you introduce me? Please, help me learn here. What did I just say that is completely wrong? Why did I just lose you as a friend over some words on the screen?

I think you are a great guy Chuck, but maybe not, maybe I should take the same attitude and say - Ya know you wrote one or two sentences I just didn't like. I will never talk to you again, I will never introduce you to anyone who I work with. You speak your mind, that makes you dangerous.

Maybe there is something to this ya know, maybe if I challenge someone in a position that has the "power to help me" maybe that person will not only not help me but then blacklist me for life over one sentence. We are all teachers and we are all students. If you or anyone thinks you are only here to teach and not learn (sometimes) too then I am completely wrong about this group of people.

Wow, Chuck, your comment has been a real eye opener for me!! I now question the validity of what many people say here and wonder if they say it cause they mean it or if the say it cause they just want to be liked and want to get ahead by only being sweet and never raising an objection. I think you know me enough to know that I am not the guy who goes and bitches about everything or challenges things on a regular basis. Your statement shows that we don't have a relationship at all and it is likely that your relationships are not that strong.

And it is this kind of "censorship by fear" that you are alluding to that is behind my ENTIRE statement from the start.

Mike,

Respectfully: I think you're missing some of the point here.

Personally I have received several gigs as a result of recommendations from fellow composers. I like to think that part of that stems from the fact that we have developed a friendship either in person (most of them) or online over time (a few). Either there's been some sort of collaboration or the composer's clients are looking for new folks and they felt comfortable recommending me because they know that I can cut the gig and act like a pro. Being in sales you should know that a recommendation is like gold and it takes some time to build that trust.

Of course, ultimately it's your choice how to proceed in the business but stepping back from the composer-centric view for a minute: If a composer calls a music supervisor on a Sunday morning, even if the person's number was published, and they say "did you hear my awesome 2 minute tension instrumental piece that was forwarded to you by Taxi?" It's possible, depending on what the person was doing at 7AM on a Sunday (like maybe sleeping) what are they going to hear? Taxi! If they get mad enough, that might make them see Taxi differently. Now not only have you shot yourself in the foot, you've potentially ruined it for the rest of us. These folks have lots of sources for music and it would be a bummer for everyone if Taxi fell off their short list.

So from experience I can say that it's good to learn to not be so "precious" with our music and put all our hopes and dreams on one Taxi forward. It takes a lot of music to build a catalog and after a certain amount of water has flowed under the bridge, a longer view can be taken and each piece, as great as it may be, doesn't have the stink of desperation or attachment on it as it might at the beginning of a career. It might take dozens of submissions to get one forward and it may take dozens of forwards to generate a deal. Even after the deal is struck, the client may not take everything you submit to them. I've had half a dozen pieces rejected in the past month or so from existing clients. You don't win them all but that doesn't mean you take your ball and go home.

I don't take recommendations lightly because yes, it does put my reputation on the line if I represent an a-hole or a high maintenance whiner to an existing client (not saying that about anyone here, BTW) then they may wonder what kind of a person I may be if I'm hanging out with these people. As you say, just because it's the music business doesn't make it any different on a relationship level than any other business in the world. But different businesses have different subtleties in their protocols.

Just my 2C on a Sunday morning.

Cheers!

Mazz

[crs7string]

@mike

Mike,

If I understood your earlier comments, you feel that it was the guy who was called at 7:30 am at home on a Sunday morning holds the blame for making his contact information available.

If you feel the caller had no responsibilty in the "transaction", there lies the "risk factor"

If I referred you to my best publisher relationship, what assurance do I have that you would not call them Sunday morning at home, if you feel the publisher is at fault for allowing me to give you his contact info.

As I said earlier, there is a way to properly conduct business and a way not to conduct business.

Taxi has made it very clear that members do not contact the listing party after a forward. One member that does that puts all of the rest of the members at risk.

The Taxi model only works with a high level of trust. And, trust relationships are, IMO, the key to accelerating our path of success. One does not build trust by breaking the rules.

I do enjoy the benefit of referrals to libraries and in the last few months have referred several other members to publishers with whom I work. All of these referrals have grow out of trust relationships.

Finally, put your self in the home of the publisher that was called at 7:30 in the morning on a Sunday morning. How would you react to that call?

I am not trying to destroy our relationship, but trying to help clarify my point of view. It is only my point of view, but it seems to be working fairly well.

Chuck

[Salty]

Ive read thru the ENTIRE thread- (cheers)

Here's what concerns me:

1) Sure, the person making a 7:30AM phone call made a mistake- and not a small one.
2) YES- relationships are huge in the 'biz'.
3) Its never a good idea to piss off the hand that you want food from

But, I'm concerned that because someone(s) expressed an opinion that others felt was wrong (and not one that I agree with as far as people knowing they are going to be contacted), the immediate conclusion is that they are not 'trustworthy'- and would undermine a potential relationship that a 3rd party would help them with.

IMO- these forums should be a place for just such a discussion- and in this case educating why policy is the way it is.

IMO- there is also a well made point about people being agressive in going after what they want- for some folks its tough to know where the line is- henceforth why it should be discussed.

Also, please note- it is important to me to know who Im being forwarded to on the occasions that happens- and No, I wouldn't violate the policy personally.

Love Ya

[DesireInspires]

Don't worry Mike. You will eventually build your own relationships and will be able to refer your own group of composers to publishers. I have.

If some people choose to use favoritism and cronyism to get work or bully other composers, that is fine. Those are not relationships that you want to be involved in. You will find your own way and probably be much more successful as a result. Believe in yourself.

BTW: My bacon and egg breakfast was a phenomenal success. Yum!

[mikeymike2000]

@Mazz and @Chuck,

This conversation seems to be going the wrong way to the point that now I feel that if I proceed to say anything I may damage all my relationships I have built thus far and those I have not yet built.

Just a few quick points before I unsubscribe to this post.

I mentioned that I personally have honored Taxi's policy even though I may not personally agree with it and I was also trying to show why this issue seems to be recurring. It is simply not normal when you first start out in this business.

The other point I was attempting to make is just not being seen so there is no point to beat my head against the wall. It is ME who is wrong here, I get it. You made your points abundantly clear. (Casey as well)

I hope my comments have not negatively influenced anyone's view of me or the possibility of getting any future favorable mentions from both Taxi and members. However, if for any reason it has, I accept that as well. The reason we are here is to lean and trade ideas. If we can't freely do that and have fear of reprimanded or personal jabs then we must ask ourselves why we are here in the first place (on this forum).

If the above is true and I have "ruined it for myself for the rest of my life here at Taxi" with one comment, I would appreciate someone pvt. me or even tell me publicly.

We are not always going to agree but I honestly thought everyone here was professional and mature enough to be able to handle a beginners take on the situation. Seems like I was just wrong all over the place on this one. And now I know.

[mazz]

@Mazz and @Chuck,

This conversation seems to be going the wrong way to the point that now I feel that if I proceed to say anything I may damage all my relationships I have built thus far and those I have not yet built.

Just a few quick points before I unsubscribe to this post.

I mentioned that I personally have honored Taxi's policy even though I may not personally agree with it and I was also trying to show why this issue seems to be recurring. It is simply not normal when you first start out in this business.

The other point I was attempting to make is just not being seen so there is no point to beat my head against the wall. It is ME who is wrong here, I get it. You made your points abundantly clear. (Casey as well)

I hope my comments have not negatively influenced anyone's view of me or the possibility of getting any future favorable mentions from both Taxi and members. However, if for any reason it has, I accept that as well. The reason we are here is to lean and trade ideas. If we can't freely do that and have fear of reprimanded or personal jabs then we must ask ourselves why we are here in the first place (on this forum).

If the above is true and I have "ruined it for myself for the rest of my life here at Taxi" with one comment, I would appreciate someone pvt. me or even tell me publicly.

We are not always going to agree but I honestly thought everyone here was professional and mature enough to be able to handle a beginners take on the situation. Seems like I was just wrong all over the place on this one. And now I know.

Mike,

It seems like something I said made you think that I was attacking you. Please point that out to me. I believe I started my post with the word: Respectfully

I would like to know what you are seeing in my writing that I may not be seeing. I certainly was not intending to attack you, I was trying very hard to speak from personal experience. My experience will probably be different from yours, but I was hoping to offer a perspective that comes from having written hundreds of pieces of music over the past few years and dealt with numerous clients and deals. It's not theoretical for me and I'm all about helping folks that may be just getting on that path as others helped me in the beginning (and still do, BTW).

If we can't respectfully disagree then what's the point? Personally I think we've always gotten along. So I'm a bit confused as to your reaction. Help me out.

Still Respectfully Yours,

Mazz

[mikeymike2000]

Mazz,

Well then I took something things personally that I should not have. The same thing I am talking about here with everyone else.

To be specific: when you talked about stepping away from the composer-centric viewpoint and not viewing your music as "precious"... I think I have heard that before from you in replies to me so it sounded like you were saying because of my comments that must be what I think.

Maybe you are right on with that. I do indeed view my work as precious. As do a lot of other people I am sure.

So that I took as a personal jab.

I understand your viewpoint on this side topic and want to let that part go but also think that is a big part of the art I create so I continue to hold on that mentality. As you have also mentioned Taxi is not for everyone and I am still figuring out if this is where I belong. I know there is a place for me but this just may not be it.