Copyrighted VS Homemade music for my own web series

[aleq]

Hi

This subject is driving me insane, so I finally felt like posting it. I am about to start animating my own web series. (Serious animation film made in flash consisting of shorter episodes - one big plot splitted into several series with continuation of the same story. Sort of like this http://www.xombified.com ). James Farr (creator of Xombie), used the copyrighted music to bring his show to life, and I think that if he didn't, it wouldn't have become as big a success as it is. The disadvantage might be though, that he can't sell his show on DVD now (please correct me if I am wrong), it would cost too much in royalties to pay to the recording companies, that are responsible for the each track used.

Music means everything in my project, and I want it to be good. I want the music to marry the picture. That's why it bothers me alot - the dilemma of:

To spend more time creating my own music (I have some skills, though pretty limited)

OR to let it go and find all the tracks already made, which would suit for my series (and suffer the disadvantage of not being able to sell it on DVD, if it becomes a success, without high royalty expenses).



I don't know much about the subject, but if someone here has the right answers to this specific issue, I would be more than greatful to hear it.

Best Regards


-Alex

[rubberonion]

if your series hits it big and you decide to sell it on DVD yourself, you can always just hire a professional musician to write music to replace the copyrighted music you used when you first posted an episode online.  the money for a decent musician would be reasonable considering your going to make money from the DVDs anyway.  so you're basically using the copyrighted music and the first release of the show online like you would a temp track in the editing room... when you sell the DVD you just switch out the music and bingo-bango youre in the clear and people who've already seen the show will actually get something new for having bought the DVD.


disclaimer... I'm not a lawyer and I have no legal idea what I'm talking about (=

[Anghenfil]

There is actually a lot of really good royalty-free and creative commons music out there, if you're willing to dig for it.

Royalty-free means you pay a lump sum up front and you don't have to worry about paying them again (but read the fine print - some ask for additional fees if you broadcast it).  The up-front fees can range from tiny to astronomical.

Creative Commons usually means you can't make money off of it.  BUT, I know from experience that you can develop relationships and cut deals with artists that donate work to creative commons.  For example, many CC artists are satisfied with being credited in the work, and only being paid if you make money first.  MAKE SURE YOU ASK BEFORE YOU TAKE - and if they say no, be willing to NOT use that music in a money-making product.

Some royalty-free and CC music sites I like:

Shockwave-Sound.com
Magnatune.com
Jamendo.com  <---  This is an OUTSTANDING CC music site.  Lots of great music, if you don't mind trying eccentric tastes.

Good luck!

[Mr Director]

I'll be facing the same dilema. I'm hoping to make a collection of short films, but unsure as to whether i should go to all the trouble of recording music (perhaps employing people to do so) or just use copywrited, or royalty free music.

I think if you want your series to be memorable it needs a good theme. Depending on what ideas you have for one you could at least record a simple theme that would add to the series' origionality.

I think using small and unsigned artists is a good thing, their easier to contact and there's less chance of legal mishap. But be clear on what you have permission to do.

[Anghenfil]

But be clear on what you have permission to do.

This.  Always make a written contract with those you work with, unless you are very good friends, are willing to bend over backwards, and willing to be reasonable.

Then again, I've seen friendships go sour during a project.  Contracts are a good idea because then everyone has a written reference of what's expected of them and what's allowed.

[adzy-2k6]

Also bare in mind that the newgrounds audio portal has a lot of music that is basically free for you to use online if you don't make any money from it, and you can probably get some good deals on a license for selling it, since a lot of artists there would like the publicity

[crumb]

This.  Always make a written contract with those you work with, unless you are very good friends, are willing to bend over backwards, and willing to be reasonable.

Then again, I've seen friendships go sour during a project.  Contracts are a good idea because then everyone has a written reference of what's expected of them and what's allowed.

thankyou aleg for making this thread
cools