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To Submit or Not To Submit

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:44 pm
by rolanoid
Hi

I am wondering whether or not to submit a track for the following listing:
SNEAKY / SPY type INSTRUMENTALS needed by an East Coast Music Library/Publisher for the purpose of Film/TV placements and licensing. This company has signed and placed dozen of TAXI songs, and offers a non-exclusive deal. He's open to any arrangement or instrumentation, as long as the tone is right. Stylistically think Mission Impossible or James Bond type music scores. Excellent performances are absolutely necessary. Broadcast quality needed (excellent home recordings are okay).
I'm being more selective with what I submit for as I've spent around $10k on new studio gear this year and those $5 stylistically off-target returns soon add up when you are on a tight budget and could be better spent on say food for instance! lol

I have an electronica track that I think is perfect for spy and espionage material but it does not sound like James Bond or Mission Impossible i.e. no big stabbing brass sections. It is more like X-Files or CSI type music. As it says "He's open to any arrangement or instrumentation, as long as the tone is right." do you think a screener would let something through that does not have the big brassy James Bond sound? It is so hard to read into these sometimes...

As a sidenote, it's a long chain of people that have to also like what you've done in order to get a piece out there successfully and hopefully make some money off it. First there's the own inner critic (probably the toughest guy in the chain), then friends who have an annoying habit of pointing out and verbalising what you already knew deep down i.e. it needs more sax or what is the song actually about? or perhaps this soul destroyer, "It will be great when the chorus goes in." duh! Continuing on the journey to the screener, then the publisher or music supervisor, then the client or director and finally the public. If all those peoples' tastes align with yours and happen to like what you have done then you have a winner! No mean feat at all! Thick skin, detemination, persistence and unfailing self-belief are your weapons of war.

All the best

Michael D

Re: To Submit or Not To Submit

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:00 pm
by mazz
Do you have the piece online to hear? Maybe we can help you decide.

Yes, the thick skin helps and I've found the more I write and submit, the less attached I am to the outcome of one piece of music, probably because of the bigger picture approach that time and the volume of writing and submitting eventually bring.

Let's hear the piece, it might not be right for this listing but there seems to be others by the same company that it might be right for.

Cheers!

Mazz

Re: To Submit or Not To Submit

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
by rolanoid
Thanks Mazz, I appreciate the kind input. I did this short instrumental piece in 2003 when I only had Reason and it has been lying dormant since then but I thought it may suit this listing. I've just uploaded it for you and anyone else to listen to and comment on. It's called 'Stalking The Truth' and you will find it on my song list at http://www.taxi.com/rolanoid

Thanks again
Michael

Re: To Submit or Not To Submit

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:49 pm
by GMDmusic
Michael,

Just wanted you to know I like your stuff. Good job!
I think you should use it, but, I didn't go to the listing to see if it was a "fit."

Sincerely,
George
http://www.georgemichaeldile.com/