Got a track in a film - timeline

[ChrisW]

Hi guys

I was a member back in 2019 for six months, then life got in the way big time.

In the time I was a member I wrote and submitted 20 cues and had 11 forwarded. Two of these 11 got picked up: one ended up in a library and the other in a film.

The track for the film was forwarded April 2019, I heard back from the director of the film in Jan 2020 and signed a non exclusive deal in March 2020. I got around $200 up front.

The track appears in a montage sequence in the film and runs for 3 minutes total. The film 'Eat Wheaties!' ('Dear Elizabeth' in UK) came out in the US in April 2021 and was on our (UK) Sky TV last year for a few weeks. I notice it is available to stream on Apple /Amazon Prime / Google Play etc. and was back on Sky TV last weekend here in UK.

So huge thank you to Taxi!

A couple of questions for you experienced guys....

Is there anywhere I can check where the film has been shown?
Should I expect some royalties at some point and if so when and is there anyway to check this out myself how much I should get and when? I have Tunesat set up but nothing is showing on there.
I am with PRS in UK.

Any suggestions welcomed.

THANK YOU to everyone here who helped me shape my cues and gave feedback, it's a great place to learn.

Here's the track if you're interested to hear it:

https://soundcloud.com/christianworsfol ... al_sharing

[Casey H]

Hi Chris
Congrats! For plays on streaming services, you should get performance royalties through your PRO. But since it is international (US companies streaming it, you are PRS), it probably takes around 18 months for those royalties to reach you. I assume you have the track registered with PRS. Has a cue sheet been filed? That's critical because without one, you won't get paid your PRO money. If you're not sure, you can check with PRS on that and if a cue sheet was never filed, you should contact the library. (*I assume PRS is your PRO).

As far as play in theaters: In the US, writers don't get PRO money for play in movie theaters, only for play in overseas theaters. What I don't know is, if you are with a non-US PRO such as PRS, if that limitation applies to you. It's another thing you could ask PRS.

So happy for your success!
Casey

[ChrisW]

Hi Chris
Congrats! For plays on streaming services, you should get performance royalties through your PRO. But since it is international (US companies streaming it, you are PRS), it probably takes around 18 months for those royalties to reach you. I assume you have the track registered with PRS. Has a cue sheet been filed? That's critical because without one, you won't get paid your PRO money. If you're not sure, you can check with PRS on that and if a cue sheet was never filed, you should contact the library. (*I assume PRS is your PRO).

As far as play in theaters: In the US, writers don't get PRO money for play in movie theaters, only for play in overseas theaters. What I don't know is, if you are with a non-US PRO such as PRS, if that limitation applies to you. It's another thing you could ask PRS.

So happy for your success!
Casey

Thank you so much! Very grateful. Do you know anywhere I can check online where and when it has been shown? Thanks again.

[Casey H]

Thank you so much! Very grateful. Do you know anywhere I can check online where and when it has been shown? Thanks again.

Other than Google, no.

[ChrisW]

HI all so I emailed PRS (UK) and still waiting to hear back but I have found a link if you are a PRS (UK) member, you can search the cue sheets yourself to check the cue sheet has been submitted and has your track(s) on it. I'll leave the link in the event this question comes up again.

As a result I found the film and was able to check the cue sheet was submitted and had my track on it.

Here's the link to search the cue sheets submitted to PRS (UK)

https://apps.prsformusic.com/wacs/

Thanks for your help Casey.

Chris

[cosmicdolphin]

I'll leave the link in the event this question comes up again.

Just to be clear that link only works for PRS members with a login

[MBantle]

Hi Chris,

Congratulations! I’ve asked myself the same question in the past. One of my tracks, placed through a Taxi listing and a subsequent publishing deal, was used in a European movie (called 'Neneh Superstar') that premiered a little over a year ago. When it subsequently started airing on TV in Europe (the first channel was Canal+), the 'placements' started showing up on Tunesat.

As for royalties, I’m expecting them to reach me the usual way through BMI—probably in about five years (lol). However, I’m also unclear about how royalties work when the movie is shown internationally in theaters. If I get any insights as things progress, I’ll definitely share them with you in the coming years.

Cheers,
Matt

[ChrisW]

Hi Chris,

Congratulations! I’ve asked myself the same question in the past. One of my tracks, placed through a Taxi listing and a subsequent publishing deal, was used in a European movie (called 'Neneh Superstar') that premiered a little over a year ago. When it subsequently started airing on TV in Europe (the first channel was Canal+), the 'placements' started showing up on Tunesat.

As for royalties, I’m expecting them to reach me the usual way through BMI—probably in about five years (lol). However, I’m also unclear about how royalties work when the movie is shown internationally in theaters. If I get any insights as things progress, I’ll definitely share them with you in the coming years.

Cheers,
Matt

Congratulations Matt! Yes do keep us posted.