Question on forward

[kickstar1]

Hello Everyone,I'm new here so please bear with me.I got a song forwarded to a music licensing/ library that say they do alot with TV shows etc. I started emailing back and forth with the a&r girl regarding the songs. Initially she offered a 5 year exclusive contract for the songs to be added to the list as a 'roster artist' (even though the band is now defunct). I was hesitant to go with that since I still want to shop the songs elsewhere and not have them locked up for 5 years. So she said we could do it on a per project basis but I would be put in the back of the line so to speak, after their roster artists get first pickings for the tvshows and whatever else. So I said yes to that but missed out a round of tv shows they were doing placements for. I then asked if she would be interested in any other stuff I have that is alot different stylistically that what she was hearing. She asked if I was talking non exclusive or adding to the catalog. I have not yet replied.My concern and question is this- how do know or find out if I am shooting myself in the foot? In the sense that I have no idea how big/powerful/effective these guys are? Unfortunately we cannot say the names of the agencies on the forum because ideally I would like to say "Anybody heard of ______, and are they worth becoming a roster artist with?" For all I know they could be the Spielberg of film placement or they could be small fry and they want exclusive deals because they need them (or whatever -I realize it's just in their interest).I would love to get feedback specifically on these guys but since I cannot do that on this forum, I will just ask if anyone has advice on how to approach this.Thanks in advance for your help folks.Keif

[slideboardouts]

Almost all libraries you sign with will want your songs exclusively for 5 years. There are non-exclusive deals, but you have to be careful signing a song with multiple libraries. At first glance it seems great because you are having multiple companies pitching 1 song, but if a music supervisor etc. gets pitched the same song from multiple libraries/publishers you could end up in a price war and you will ultimately get the short end of the stick.Personally, I would take whatever is going to get me the most placements the quickest. TAXI does a good job of screening the listing parties, so you probably aren't "shooting yourself in the foot" by signing a 5 year deal with this company.As far as shopping your song around goes....thats great but the thing is you never know when another opportunity will come your way. It could be tomorrow, or it could be never. And even if you do get another opportunity for this song you don't know if it will be any better than what this company is offering.To make money with music for film and TV it takes a LOT of songs, so 1 song (or even 20 songs) probably isn't going to make or break your career.I would probably sign with them and get them as much material as I could. Remember it takes hundreds of tracks to make decent money with TV placements. All that being said, it is always a good idea to take your contracts to a qualified entertainment attorney and have him/her go over it with you.-Steve

[kickstar1]

Steve,Thanks for the reply.So even if I sign an exclusive with these guys, is there any reason I couldn't still submit the songs to taxi listings if, say there is a dispatch listing that says the 'the guy' himself (supervisor, a&r guy or whatever) will be listening to the tunes (let's say for an artist rather than for TV)? Then if 'the guy' likes the tune then I can just refer him to the library that holds the songs correct?Keith

[sgs4u]

Jul 10, 2008, 10:21am, slideboardouts wrote:Almost all libraries you sign with will want your songs exclusively for 5 years. I have not seen this to be true. Most of the conversations I've been privy to, are about re-titling, which is certainly not about exclusivity. Not arguing, just don't want to have a generality like that become a common misconception. If you are saying that when libraries want your songs exclusively, usually want them for 5 years, I think that is likely true. The rest of your post seems pretty great. Quote:There are non-exclusive deals, but you have to be careful signing a song with multiple libraries. At first glance it seems great because you are having multiple companies pitching 1 song, but if a music supervisor etc. gets pitched the same song from multiple libraries/publishers you could end up in a price war and you will ultimately get the short end of the stick.Personally, I would take whatever is going to get me the most placements the quickest. TAXI does a good job of screening the listing parties, so you probably aren't "shooting yourself in the foot" by signing a 5 year deal with this company.As far as shopping your song around goes....thats great but the thing is you never know when another opportunity will come your way. It could be tomorrow, or it could be never. And even if you do get another opportunity for this song you don't know if it will be any better than what this company is offering.To make money with music for film and TV it takes a LOT of songs, so 1 song (or even 20 songs) probably isn't going to make or break your career.I would probably sign with them and get them as much material as I could. Remember it takes hundreds of tracks to make decent money with TV placements. All that being said, it is always a good idea to take your contracts to a qualified entertainment attorney and have him/her go over it with you.-Steve

[slideboardouts]

Jul 10, 2008, 10:44am, kickstar1 wrote:Steve,Thanks for the reply.So even if I sign an exclusive with these guys, is there any reason I couldn't still submit the songs to taxi listings if, say there is a dispatch listing that says the 'the guy' himself (supervisor, a&r guy or whatever) will be listening to the tunes (let's say for an artist rather than for TV)? Then if 'the guy' likes the tune then I can just refer him to the library that holds the songs correct?KeithThis is an excellent question and to be honest, I'm not totally sure. I've been wondering this myself as I have a couple tracks that I would like to sign for film/TV placements, but they have been forwarded to an "A list artist" where the producer himself screened the submissions and I certainly don't want to miss out on that kind of action because of a contract with a library. The odds of those songs actually being put on an major artist's album are slim and none, but still.... Hopefully Matto will see this thread and repy, he knows a TON about this stuff and is extremely helpful.One of the exclusive deals I have signed does state that I can market the songs elsewhere as long as it is not in the film and television realm, so who knows. If that is something you are concerned about, I would ask the company. I'm sure they can give you an answer, or maybe you could negotiate something.-Steve