Zach, To answer your question, everything depends on the size of the label involved. A limited pressing of 1,500 copies is about the minimum for a CD release, and is typical of very small labels. The budget for a pressing of that size is around $2,000. In that case, I would think that $1,000 for master/sync rights for an experimental film project is a bit steep.
However, if you're dealing with one of the "major" independent labels (e.g., Merge, Matador, Sub-Pop, DFA, Domino…) then they might be used to working with ad agencies, in which case master/sync licensing fees are considerably higher. To give you an example, if an ad agency wanted to use a tiny, unrecognizable snippet of a song as a stinger in a TV commercial, they would pay a minimum of $5,000. To use a recognizable chunk, the fee would be at least $10,000-$20,000. Of course you shouldn't pay even close to that much! But if you're working with a "major" minor label you might need to convey to them just how small the experimental film world is. If they're asking you to propose a fee, chances are they're as unsure as you are about what's appropriate in this case. I would use the total production budget of your project as a framework. Make the music licensing fee a percentage of your budget--no more than 20%? 25%? Again, everything depends on the size of the label and the initial pressing. If you'd like to give more details off-list, I'd be happy to advise further. Best, Andrew From: zach vonjoo <zu...@yahoo.com> Subject: [Frameworks] Fees for music rights. Date: September 9, 2013 9:41:12 PM PDT To: "frameworks@jonasmekasfilms.com" <frameworks@jonasmekasfilms.com> Reply-To: zach vonjoo <zu...@yahoo.com>, Experimental Film Discussion List <frameworks@jonasmekasfilms.com> Hi All-- I'm in negotiations with a musician and label at the moment, and they've asked me to suggest a fee for music rights. I don't have much money, but if pressed may be able to raise as much as thousand dollars. Is this a "low-ball" amount? I've asked around and it's been suggested that I try to get master rights for free, but I don't feel right about that. This is only for submitting to festivals, not DVD rights. It's an experimental short, and unlikely to net me any funds. Thanks! Zach
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