THIS is what TAXI Gets Before We Wrtie Listings

[Len911]

Is it possible that if the artists could work with the folks reaching out directly they could collaborate better? If the screeners mis-interpret the request and the musician only gets one shot to please the screener (not the buyer) it could leave some creative stuff on the floor? Is there ever a chance to have work groups where artist can work to create directly with the buyers?

That's the whole point, buyers do not want to interface directly with the artists, the screeners are the interpreters. They don't want the stuff on the floor. The chance to work directly with the buyers is when you have established yourself, and your work is well known, ala Mick Jagger. In a way, the screeners and Taxi are like your agents, and if your agent just sends your stuff willy nilly to any and all listings, your reputation is trashed and so will all of your submissions after a few times of inappropriate submissions.

The buyers are going to reach out to those they respect, and if they respect them, that means that extra weight will be given to their
choices. If your friend sends you a song to listen to you probably will, unlike an unsolicited song you receive from a massive mailing.

[Len911]

For what it's worth, I've had this expereince with a library I'm in. Not all librarians/supervisors are well-versed in knowing how to describe what they want.

And by the same token, not all musicians could interpret it if they did,lol!

[jpage]

I think my point was not very clear.

If a buyer has a vague idea of what they want and you have an artist that can create on the fly wouldn't it be ideal to hook them up?

Seems there are 2 layers of interpretation to get through when some artists have the chops to create on the fly if given the shot. Even the listings can sometimes be followed to the letter, cord, structure, feel etc and your one song can be a miss because the screener had a different interpretation . That is not an issue and not a negative either but what if the buyer could work a session with an artist and they could create exactly what they wanted, wouldn't everybody win?

[Len911]

There are different ways to perceive something, through an idealistic lens, through a realistic lens, and through a Len911! sorry I couldn't resist

[jpage]

Len911 and Telefunkin, thank you for your replies. Very well thought out and does illustrate the industry standards. Maybe I leave it with one last suggestion then, maybe if the screeners who sponsor the listings were known (screener number added to listing) then the artist could chose to submit to those they feel they have a better connection with.

What taxi provides is fantastic. The community alone has helped improve production quality, just have never had this much trouble following directions and missing the mark so often. Comments are not about the music content but about not matching listing or samples.

Guys thanks so much for the help, will keep plugging away and making the songs!!!

[hummingbird]

just have never had this much trouble following directions and missing the mark so often. Comments are not about the music content but about not matching listing or samples.

This is a tough nut to crack. Michael's TAXI TV shows that focus on interpreting listings or playing some of the R or F submissions for listings are a good education. There's also P2P on this forum, where you can post your R and ask why, or post before submission and ask, does it fit. I'm still learning.

[DesireInspires]

So for the listings that start with "Y", the submissions are screened by the company that posts the listings, right?

I think that is as close to the composer working directly with the director. Submitting to more of those listings could be beneficial if one thinks that the music may be misinterpreted by the intermediate screeners.

Thoughts?

[Len911]

I've seen a few complaints about returns that were screened by the listing parties. I vaguely remember a couple having comments.

Often it seems that the complaints are about whether or not a composition barely clears the bar, or meets the minimum standards. It's tiresome to have to pull out the magnifying glass, or keep replaying the photo finish. If it doesn't clear the hurdle by a furlong, why bother?? It's like arguing the third strike, you had two other chances at having a hit, go sit down and try harder next time,lol!

[admin]

So for the listings that start with "Y", the submissions are screened by the company that posts the listings, right?

I think that is as close to the composer working directly with the director. Submitting to more of those listings could be beneficial if one thinks that the music may be misinterpreted by the intermediate screeners.

Thoughts?

The letter Y only indicates that it's being screened on a yes/no basis with the shorter feedback form.

ML

[dougstronach]

Thanks for sharing this Michael...it's very honest of you to let us know that sometimes the original request is vague and you do your best to clarify what they want. It's something i've often thought about. The 'I'll know it when i hear it' scenario is very common with non-musicians. However, the issue I see is that we as TAXI members are paying $5 a shot to submit whether the buyer is 100% clear or not on what they are looking for.

With some listings I feel like I'm throwing my money away, and with others I feel I have a really good idea of what they want because the listing is very clear and and the examples giving all make some unified sense. I try to stick to those listings only. What I don't know with the listings, is that is it TAXI that's making the listings clear and concise for us from some vague example they're given by the buyer, or is it the buyer that's given TAXI a very clear and concise idea of what they need right from the start? I would prefer to submit to listings where the buyer is very clear on what they want, and perhaps now and again take a shot on listings where TAXI have had to guess at what the buyer wants because they were not clear.

So to that idea, perhaps we as TAXI members, could potentially screen the buyers by TAXI attaching a code to the listings that hints at the buyers original request to TAXI as being very clear, clear, or not very clear at all. That way, we would have the choice to spend our $5 and take a chance on some listings, or stick to the listings where it appears the buyer is very clear on what they want. Just a thought.

thanks again for all you do,

Doug s.