Split submissions OK? and a suggestion

[nolosolo]

Hi all, new member here and not quite clear on a pitch where they want it in small chunks like #U150807FI coming up.

Am I to believe that each part (29.5, 59.5 sec. etc.) needs to be a separate submission? If so, ouch! That cuts way down the number of songs I can submit for that pitch.

I'd like to just put a space between sections of one song at the time marks they need but keep the song parts in order in case it's ever needed complete.

Which brings me to the suggestion for TAXI submissions: We need a way to add a note with them if something needs to be explained to either the reviewer or client. I'm temped to add comments in the metadata, song name, or even footnotes in lyrics but none seem very professional.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[eeoo]

You might want to copy and paste the listing so we can see exactly what you're talking about. That said, I've never seen a listing that called for multiple takes of the same cue. Is that what you're asking about?

eo

[nolosolo]

You might want to copy and paste the listing so we can see exactly what you're talking about. That said, I've never seen a listing that called for multiple takes of the same cue. Is that what you're asking about?

eo

Hi EO, Here's the part of the listing that asks for it. Seems real specific:

"Please submit emotionally positive, inviting Instrumentals with authentic sounding acoustic instrumentation (see quote above), catchy melodies, and simple, yet memorable melodic hooks. We recommend submitting pieces that are 29.5 seconds long or 59.5 seconds long (including ring outs!) with with easy edit points, and a buttoned ending."

This following section says you can stick all the parts together but it still would be nice to be able to tell them it's editable to their spec:

"If you want to submit longer pieces, you can, but you’d be smart to make them easily editable into 29.5 second versions and 59.5 second versions, which make them easier to use and more desirable to the editors and/or mixers who would eventually be laying the music into the commercials."

[shorttonpro]

Essentially they are saying if you can submit well timed cues for common advertising spots, you will have a slight advantage. Submitting a 30 second piece, OR a 1 minute piece works well. It is understood that the 1 minute piece could be edited down to 30 seconds as needed, so in this case you would simply submit the longer piece.

If the piece isn't exactly one of the lengths, but is good enough to get forwarded, they are suggesting that you have the ability to create edits and shorter versions later on as the company will most likely request this.

Focus on submitting the right music for the pitch in its complete form (ideally 1 minute) as all parties have the understanding it can be edited down as needed, no need to find a way to convey this to the screener.

[joyfrost]

The TAXI TV Episode 'Increasing your Odds of success' touched on this. Even if it says you could submit longer ones but you'd be smart to do something else, chances are you're really just shooting yourself in the foot if you submit anything other than the listed lengths they need. Giving them only exactly what they are looking for will increase your Odds of success!

I'd like to just put a space between sections of one song at the time marks they need but keep the song parts in order in case it's ever needed complete.

If they ever need a complete Version, I think the best course of action will be to just have it on hand but only send either a 29.5 or 59.5 Version. Otherwise it will create extra work for the screener to have to edit the Audio file to cut out the hidden full length track. If it gets forwarded and Chosen and they end up needing a full Version too, they'll probably just ask for it then.

[nolosolo]

All good advice. My problem is I have at least 3, 3 min.+ songs which each have multiple qualifying parts in them. doh!

[mojobone]

Taxi screeners don't edit. (well, not your music, anyways) That happens in audio post, after your song has been accepted and signed, if it happens. If the cue is for a library, (or really, anybody) give them what they asked for. If your song is longer than what they asked for, cut it down. It's okay to send the longer of the versions they asked for, but I'm thinking for this, they'll wanna know your edits are on point. What I would do is send a single file of all versions, longest (that they asked for) first, with a little pause between, but it's one file. It's the same song, so it's still one submission, so far as Taxi's concerned, just make sure it's the same song, not in three 'movements'.

[nolosolo]

Taxi screeners don't edit. (well, not your music, anyways) That happens in audio post, after your song has been accepted and signed, if it happens. If the cue is for a library, (or really, anybody) give them what they asked for. If your song is longer than what they asked for, cut it down. It's okay to send the longer of the versions they asked for, but I'm thinking for this, they'll wanna know your edits are on point. What I would do is send a single file of all versions, longest (that they asked for) first, with a little pause between, but it's one file. It's the same song, so it's still one submission, so far as Taxi's concerned, just make sure it's the same song, not in three 'movements'.

Good thinking! That'll work! Thanks!

[Russell Landwehr]

You could consider naming the file/song something like "Harley's Bar(two edits)"

It is bad form to send more than one song in one file trying to save money on submissions fees. However, this does seem like an unusual case since it is one song in multiple edits. I wouldn't send the edits AND the full length in one file since they don't really want a full length song. Yes, the listing doesn't rule out full length songs, but they say if a full-length-only submission comes across, they'd like the 29.5 and 59.5 edit points to be pretty obvious.

Perhaps this would be a good question to ask the headscreener at taxi dot com... or better yet, call TAXI and ask... The headscreener gets a lot of email, and it might be more efficient and easier on them to actually guide you on the phone. If you do call them, please post the results here.

Regards
Russell Landwehr

[nolosolo]

You could consider naming the file/song something like "Harley's Bar(two edits)"
....
Perhaps this would be a good question to ask the headscreener at taxi dot com... or better yet, call TAXI and ask... The headscreener gets a lot of email, and it might be more efficient and easier on them to actually guide you on the phone. If you do call them, please post the results here.

Regards
Russell Landwehr

Thanks Russell, good advice.

Ken