[NewMusic] film music rates?

[David Slusser]

On Nov 8, 2007, at 10:12 AM, Cheryl Leonard wrote:
> For those of you who work on creating film soundtracks, I'm wondering
> what kind of rates you charge. There's an independent filmmaker who
> wants to use some of my music (probably pieces that are already
> composed and recorded) in a film and I really have no idea what to ask
> for in terms of $. The film is not for profit and is going to be sent
> out to festivals, but won't appear on TV or in commercial venues. I've
> done this kind of thing for free before, but now I'm being asked what
> my rates are, which is great, but I'm not sure how much is fair and
> reasonable to request. Anyone got any advice?

One basic yardstick is "needle drop" rates.  That's where filmmakers go
when they can't afford to hire a composer, so many times you're
competing with that rate.  Go to apmmusic.com, or other stock music
houses, and use their rates and licensing agreements as something just
(or well) below your base point.