LOVE ME TENDER - "Not distinctive enough?!?!?!?"

[vbvoice]

So I've had songs returned. No biggie. But what is frustrating me about this one, is I gave them exactly what the listing asked for: "ALL GENRES, TEMPOS, and LANGUAGES! YOUR version of “Love Me Tender” can range from stripped-down acoustic-guitar with an intimate vocal.... Stay true to the original LYRIC and MELODY that make this song so instantly recognizable."

And that's what I submitted.

My review: "Not quite distinctive enough stylistically" -- really? My submission was vocals and a uke. That's it! "They’re looking for something FRESH, UNIQUE, and outside the box" My submission was like Randy Newman meets IZ. How fresh, unique and outside the box do they want? It was stripped down, had an intimate vocal with a little character to it. It's exactly what they ASKED FOR. http://taxi.com/A-1413-1948 (Love Me Tender is halfway down the song list)

The listing was so open-ended when asking for styles, that any submission could be put through. Which means a return would have to be based on vocals, instrumentation, and/or broadcast quality.

Sorry, I know my frustration is coming out in this post but is my head up my butt on this one? I'm not going to deny that possibility. But would any of you care to weigh in on what is meant by "not distinctive enough stylistically" and if you honestly think mine is not stylistically distinctive enough and why?

Thanks,
Justin

[tcro58]

Hi Justin,
Your version definitely fit the criteria...I liked it!
I got the same comment on my return,and am also not so clear on the definition in this case.
Figured I had a decent chance of being forwarded as the range of genres etc was supposed to be wide open.
Pals told me my version might have worked in a melancholy type scene..lost love etc...who knows?
The screener was handpicked ,so I imagine they knew what was required for the scene,which doesn't make it any easier for us!
Best success to you,
Tony C

[Casey H]

Cool version.

As I mentioned on Tony's thread, it comes down to the ultra high bar for a listing such as this which is for a major Hollywood feature film and paying $5,000-$15,000. Very good but not undeniably great won't cut it. Your piece really has to be one that will instantly blow away the music sup when he/she hears it.

My guess is "not distinctive enough" is a catch all phrase for "it's just not working for this"

Best,
Casey

[tcro58]

My guess is "not distinctive enough" is a catch all phrase for "it's just not working for this"

I do believe Casey is spot on with this.

Tony C

[davewalton]

Well, the screener is a person "hand picked by the music supervisor". Since Taxi is completely out of the loop on this (no Taxi screener) this then is no different than if you had somehow submitted directly and didn't get the nod. Only one (1) person in the entire universe is going to get this deal so the screening process (by the supervisor's staff) is just going to be very selective. Remember, they're not limited to picking something just from Taxi. They'll have pretty much an unlimited selection of music to choose from through their other sources and contacts in addition to Taxi. With so much music to choose from inside and outside of Taxi, they are in the position of being able to be very selective.

Hollywood name-brand actors and actresses audition for supporting roles, give great performances in the audition and are passed over all the time since only one person can have that role. This is not much different. Everybody is auditioning their music for a supporting role in this film, of which there can only ultimately be one.

It's not about good or bad, just about them just saying "Nope... not what we're looking for in this particular case".

[tcro58]

agree

[Casey H]

Well, the screener is a person "hand picked by the music supervisor". Since Taxi is completely out of the loop on this (no Taxi screener) this then is no different than if you had somehow submitted directly and didn't get the nod.

I'm not sure if a "person hand picked by the music supervisor" is not a Taxi screener. Taxi can answer that. I'm thinking it could be a Taxi screener that was picked and given additional information and training by the music supervisor.

But regardless, it's highly competitive and the person doing the screening has to feel it matches what they are looking for.

Casey

[vbvoice]

Thanks for helping me keep it in perspective guys. I knew you'd come through for me.

[daveydad]

Really like your cover! I almost started to come up with a submission for this but felt it was too wide and open. Would love to hear some of the forwards.

[Jim1960]

The instant I started to listen to your tune, I instantly heard accompanying piano or keys and harmony's, plus a small bit of verb on the main VOX. Other than that I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Who knows what the gatekeepers mind is looking for.