If you're a songwriter or composer, you may have been approached by a filmmaker who wants to use your music in his or her film. After the initial burst of excitement, a few practical questions should be going through your head:
What should I charge?
Who will own the music?
Will I be able to collect royalties?
Should I ask for a chunk of the film's profits?
Should I write the contract myself or hire a lawyer?
These are just a few of the topics covered in this special summer episode of Composer Quest, featuring a talk by entertainment lawyers Ken Abdo and Dan Satorius. Thanks to the Minnesota Music Coalition and McNally Smith for hosting this talk at the 2014 MN Music Summit. I highly recommend listening if you're a songwriter or composer, so you can make the most out of getting your music placed in a film and avoid getting stuck with a crappy contract.
