Michael - combined Artist and Film/TV is bad for some

[TonyRondini]

Michael,

I have been a Taxi member for 2.5 years now and even with all of the returned submissions that have been accepted by other A list libraries, nothing has made more more unhappy than the resent combining of Artist and Film/TV listings! I am strictly writing for Film/TV and this is going to alienate those like me that are not looking to be artists. I can just imagine what to expect next when I get a returned submission, "...looking for an Artist...". I've already received "looking for lyrics" to an "Instrumental or Lyric" listing. This to me seems more like a making more money scheme than anything useful for your members. If artists are missing out on Film/TV then maybe it's because they are not interested in doing Film/TV deals! The first return that I get that anything about the listing wanting to sign an artist and didn't list that specifically, I will be looking for a half year refund.

Tony

[crs7string]

Tony,

After reading your post I did a quick visit to the new format of the listings.

It is very clear in most of the listings if it is a film/tv pitch or artist pitch.

I don't think this is a deal breaker. It seems that a recurring issue for members is not thoroughly reading the listing (or reading into the listing). A possible side effect of the new format will be the need to read and re-read a listing before a submission.

BTW I think the refund offer is only in a member's first year.

Chuck

[TonyRondini]

Chuck,

You know what, I'm am usually a very reasonable guy and in all truth over the 2.5 years with Taxi I have not had a single deal with the small number of forwards. However not true with a number of other similar sites where I have successfully signed some fairly reasonable paper...YET... I probably would have signed away another two and kept plugging at this venue on the chance that the other listing agents did not have the "perfect pitch" per se. I have 6 months left to my last 2 year sign-up with Taxi and this, nonsensical move on Taxi's part, could be the proverbial straw!

To your point regarding the pitch write-ups, some are clear and some clearly are not!

BTW - a good friend of mine was a Taxi member for 4 years and dealt with a number of very bad return critiques and not a single forward - then a couple of those songs made it on to a CD that received a Grammy this past year.

Sorry, but the taste of this Kool-Aid is starting to sour.

[davewalton]

Sorry, but the taste of this Kool-Aid is starting to sour.

Ah... we're all Kool-Aid drinkers. Nobody minds if it's not working for you but is it really necessary to come on in a public forum with all the posturing and insults for the many for whom it IS working?

http://forums.taxi.com/taxi-success-stories-f7.html

Your concerns could just as easily have been addressed by contacting Taxi directly, without all the public drama.

[TonyRondini]

My apology if anyone was insulted. And I am not quite sure what you mean by posturing, this is merely me sharing my perspective. Besides was this not addressed to Michael? Why is everyone else getting defensive, is this a music submission site or a cult?

[Casey H]

I don't think listings are at all confusing as to whether they are film/TV or for artists. The text is usally pretty clear in the first 2 sentences (usually less!) as far at that goes.

Casey

[crs7string]

Tony,

After reading your post I did a quick visit to the new format of the listings.

It is very clear in most of the listings if it is a film/tv pitch or artist pitch.

I don't think this is a deal breaker. It seems that a recurring issue for members is not thoroughly reading the listing (or reading into the listing). A possible side effect of the new format will be the need to read and re-read a listing before a submission.

BTW I think the refund offer is only in a member's first year.

Chuck

Gee Tony, I don't what part of my post sounded defensive. I was just trying to offer a different perspective.

And, to answer your question, yes this is a cult.

I have noticed that the folks who seem to embrace all of which TAXI offers have a hard time imagining their life without the sense of belonging to a vibrant community, not only on this Forum, but face to face at the Rally and in the TAXI Hang Groups in LA and other cities. (including here in Nashville)

I had the pleasure of hosting a group of fifteen TAXI members at a four day event in Nashville in late June. We are all better because we know each other and it all started here on this Forum.

Are we a cult?, definitely. Have we consumed the kool aid? , by the gallon. (and we even had pizza provided by Michael)

And, did you really expect that only Michael would respond to your post?

Respectfully,

Chuck

[TonyRondini]

Fellow Taxians (I am still a member),

I am very discouraged by this new policy. I truly believe that was instated not for the benefit of Taxi members. It creates additional time for Film/TV writers to have to review every listing. For those that use multiple pitching venues, this additional time takes away from creating more music. If this was for the benefit of the members then the members would have benefited by it...I don't see that. Read Michael's email again. To me it's just a way to generate more $5 submissions and has nothing to do with member opportunities.

Please help me understand how this helps members...

Just speaking my mind. Chuck, send me the phone number of the nearest pizza joint and I'll buy you one to pick up.

Best regards, Tony

[fusilierb]

I'm finding it a little hard to swallow that reading the complete set of listings is actually taking that much time away from you writing music. I mean come on, really? Scan the heading, if it seems to apply read the one paragraph to see the details.

I also find it hard to accept that Micheal did this to jack you up or "not for the benefit of Taxi members". Especially when he clearly stated why they did this in the email that announced the change.

I'm really not sure what the issue is. Read the listings, you have to anyway if you want to target them correctly. Hardly a big deal IMO.

[cardell]

I'm finding it a little hard to swallow that reading the complete set of listings is actually taking that much time away from you writing music. I mean come on, really? Scan the heading, if it seems to apply read the one paragraph to see the details.

Me too...but at least I got a laugh out of it.

Stuart