Licensing music for use in advertising and films.

 

Music is very important to our lives and can be even more powerful when linked to moving images. There are four ways we are used to seeing images linked to music

• TV
• Computer
• Mobile phone
• Cinema

 

For TV and computer/internet, mobile phone and film companies to be allowed to use copyrighted music with their images, they must pay the music publishing company. This is called "Synchronisation Licensing".

 

Sync licensing is becoming an increasingly important source of revenue for publishers and their songwriters.  Many publishers have specialised teams who manage these deals, working with their writers and production companies to find the most appropriate music for audio-visual productions, and to negotiate royalties.

 

David Arnold is a well known composer of music used in cinema and films, Click Here to visit his MySpace and see if you recognise his work - try track 4: The Name's Bond.

 

Task 4

 Answer these questions after listening to the David Arnold podcast (click the arrow at the bottom of this page to listen)

• How can artists and composers protect their work?
• What is copyright, what does it do?
• Why is it important?
• What is a royalty?

 

 

 

Homework task/independent research task

As extension work or as a homework task students should find click on the relevant web link to find out further information about TWO of the following trade associations. 

• Publishers:  www.mpaonline.org.uk
• Composers and songwriters:  www.britishacademy.com
• Record labels:  www.bpi.co.uk / www.musicindie.com
• Music managers:  www.musicmanagersforum.co.uk
• Producers:  www.aprs.co.uk
• Musicians’ Union:  www.musiciansunion.org.uk
• Concert Promoters’ Association:  www.concertpromotersassociation.co.uk

1. What are the differences between the two associations you have chosen?
2. What are the different jobs within each one?
3. What roles do they serve within the wider music business?
4. Make notes of any questions you have about the websites they have explored and bring these to the next session.