Scoring an Indie Documentary - what to charge?

[pedrocosta]

Matt,
That's not worth the time put in that's for sure.
$14/minute of music? LOL
So working for a couple of bucks an hour?
The figure you aimed for was much more realistic IMO.
I was thinking $100/min...unless they are also offering a percentage of potential revenues. Otherwise "exposure" is the pay.
In that time you can write a ton of cues that will earn you much more in the long run.
Onward...

[RockChild56]

Matt,
That decision show a lot of character and integrity on your part.
I respect you for a many reasons, and now this is added to the list.

Oh Yes, Congratulations Van Dad,

E J Bell

[pboss]

Matt,

You made a good decision. Those types of things hardly ever end up with a return, anyway. And with three weeks of work, like Pedro said, how many place-able cues would you churn out instead? The only reason to do a project like that is if they can pay you at lease 3k ('cuz it's a doc and not even with a broadcast slot, right?); if you feel that director is going places; if that doc has a high likelihood of playing at Sundance, or if there is some technical or experiential thing you want to get out of it for your own growth, in my own view.

I feel like the only reason producers use the term "local artists" is because it gives then an "In" to get stuff for free, or for almost nothing, and they use the old "catch the flu" pitch, er, I mean, "exposure" rationale. I did do about 30 min of music for a one-hour doc for PBS and it paid about 6k WFH (keeping writer's) and an additional $600 for a newsy bumper after the fact. If you compare that amount with a doc that is going to be submitted to festivals, etc, well, that is where I got the 3k from, just a ballpark figure. In the end, it's just the point of getting out of it what it is worth to you, whether that's money, fame or a litter of guinea pigs.

[Kolstad]

This thread is hot stuff!
Very useful to know what numbers you have been offered, and your desicions.

Seems the budget these guys offered were sort of going for a kid in high school, looking for their first money. That's their choice and may also reflect their ambition with the film, of course. Movies like music, comes in different leagues. The only way to see where they are is to give them a realistic prospect.

Helpful to everyone, thanks Matt and others.

[VanderBoegh]

Yeah, I definitely learned a lot from this process too, even if I turned down the gig in the end. But now I'm armed with the knowledge of what good composers charge and how they typically come up with their cost estimates, and I'm actually fairly excited about tackling a project like this in the future - if the money is right.

But you know what else I learned? I've moved beyond the ranks of the "cheap composers". $1,000 for music composition no longer excites me. I guess that's a good thing, haha.

~~Matt

[funsongs]

Right on, Professor!
(or, Write On!... Professor... take yer pick!)

[Paulie]

I've been in sales a long time, and one of the best things you can learn is when to walk away from a deal. Time is money (or, mime is money, for you Spinal Tap fans). It will always amaze me how the common man underappreciates music. My wife taught music in public school for ten years and despite her skills and expertise, at the end of the day, music class was babysitting to the other teachers. "We have an assembly, can you do something to keep them entertained until we are ready to start?" Ugh... no respect I tell ya...

[andygabrys]

Yeah, I definitely learned a lot from this process too, even if I turned down the gig in the end. But now I'm armed with the knowledge of what good composers charge and how they typically come up with their cost estimates, and I'm actually fairly excited about tackling a project like this in the future - if the money is right.

But you know what else I learned? I've moved beyond the ranks of the "cheap composers". $1,000 for music composition no longer excites me. I guess that's a good thing, haha.

~~Matt

IMO having actual placements on TV or film tempers the way that you throw yourself into every situation. At that point, its not about placements, its about respect and fair compensation for fair work.

[keithl]

Matt-

Kudos to you sticking to your guns on this one.