Bad News For ASCAP Members

[Casey H]

I've only had one song with vocals used on a major broadcast network but it has been used regularly on Halloween for the past few yrs. It had been earning close to 1k per use for 47 sec. Now this year (after the reduction) it was $95 and change. I can understand leveling things a little between instrumentals & vocal tracks, but that's a hell of a paycut!

That sucks... Ridiculous.

Casey

[billg1]

I made a mistake in my previous post . . . payment went from around $500 to $95, not from 1k, I goofed . . . In july when that statement would come in there were other regular placements that equaled approx. $500 additional for a total of 1k for the statement. This year I didn't get the additional placements so I went from 1k to $95 for the period, but only $500 was lost from the vocal placement . . . I had the dismal statement difference locked in my brain, sorry. that's still a big hit though (to me!)

I don't understand why the PMA members would applaud the reduction, it's not like instrumental composers gained anything.

[popbaby]

I spoke to a good friend of mine that used to be mgmt at ascap, and he told me this move was to appease all the people making tons of money already. This will basically benefit all the artists/writers/publishers that are already making millions a year in royalties. They want them to stay with ascap, so this move hurts everyone else. As writers what do we do next though? Especially if this is something that will effect BMI and SOCAN shortly as well. Do we ask for more in sync fees, especially when a song will be used in a manner that really helps a scene? I was lucky enough to make a good amount of money in royalties prior to this, however I'd like to make more in the future, and I'm unsure how that's possible under this new structure.

[DesireInspires]

I spoke to a good friend of mine that used to be mgmt at ascap, and he told me this move was to appease all the people making tons of money already. This will basically benefit all the artists/writers/publishers that are already making millions a year in royalties. They want them to stay with ascap, so this move hurts everyone else. As writers what do we do next though? Especially if this is something that will effect BMI and SOCAN shortly as well. Do we ask for more in sync fees, especially when a song will be used in a manner that really helps a scene? I was lucky enough to make a good amount of money in royalties prior to this, however I'd like to make more in the future, and I'm unsure how that's possible under this new structure.

Not to be a jerk, but I want to learn how to make millions a year in royalties. That would be cool with me.

I am not sure what those of us that do not make millions can really do about itfor the moment other than complain. I want to find ways to get more usages for my music so I can maximize my earnings. That would help me to sleep a lot better at night. Growing my assets and leveraging them to increase my wealth is fascinating for me. I think that is how all of us can make a living from writing music.