Royalty Free Music

[Joe Redifer]

Where is the best place to get royalty free music? Any recommendations on specific sets? Thanks.

[Dan C.]

Sorry I dont have an answer for this, but I just thought I would make an addition since it's relevant:

Is there anywhere where I can find FREE royalty free music?
I dont really want to pay £400 for something I might end up not liking

[Chris Hurd]

I don't know that free royalty-free music is going to be anything worth listening to. But with regard to royalty-free music that you pay for, the video magazines have plenty of ads for those companies, and there's usually a free CD or free download of short sample clips so you can try out little bits and pieces before you commit to buying.

[John Locke]

There are lots of talented musicians out there waiting for their big break and just wanting to be heard. Though it might take some time, if you start looking now you'll eventually find someone, I bet, that you can build a long-term music/video relationship with. As long as they're not represented, they can make any deal with you they want.

Until you get your big break, you can probably convince them to score or compose original songs for your videos either free of charge or at a low price. They know that once you do get that break, and your film is suddenly shown at festivals or elsewhere, they're also getting instant advertising of their talents through credits.

How many musicians do you know that WOULDN'T want to hear their music included in a film...and to see their name in the credits? Can be a highly symbiotic relationship.

Where do you find them? University music departments, local musician organizations...and why not try the music section of "Zoetrope.com"...there you can listen to samples and contact the musicians directly to propose something.

[Joe Redifer]

Actually I'm not looking for anything serious here. Just looking for some music to put in wedding videos. Otherwise I'd take the time and compose it myself or do as you suggested (which would be easier in the long run).

[John Locke]

Even so, Joe...find local musicians who write original romantic music, and more importantly who have CDs to sell, then strike a deal with them. Tell them that if they'll let you use their music as the soundtrack, you'll attach a plug at the end of the tape to sell their CDs.

Shouldn't be hard to convince them, I would think. Think how many times you've bought a CD just because the music is related to an important event in your life. They'd have prospective sales to not only the brides and grooms, but also their families...and whoever else hears it.

[Ken Tanaka]

Well, here a few ideas.

http://asp.digitaljuice.com/backtraxx/backtraxx.asp

http://www.royaltyfree.com/

http://www.music2hues.com/

For generic (non-dramatic) stuff I sometimes like to use SmartSounds. You can quickly generate a music track to fit your video and then fine-tune it. It's very clever and handy.

http://www.smartsound.com/

[Derrick Begin]

You could purchase Sonic Foundry's Acid and some loop libraries and mix your own schtuff.

It sounds good to me... And its royalty free, minus what you pay for for the loops.

My copper coins...

[Tom Howard]

I got this bug to shoot Water Based Scenes a few months ago.
Now I have about 300 water based scenes.
Water falls, Rain, Streams, Boats, Mist and on and on...
All generic shots.

Now I am shooting scenes for one I am Calling 100 Planes/Jets.
Landing /taking off and side views. ( I will get this one done as long as security does not bother me)

I want to release the Raw footage as a Royalty free clips products.
*One for the Water Based shots. $295.00
*One for the 100 Planes/Jets $295.00
Need some advice on:
Pricing ?
How to market ?
Best places to market?

Thanks in advance for any help / comments
gamedayphoto@yahoo.com

[Malcolm E James]

Tom
Initial thoughts on your project
Pricing is a little high for a first time project - depends on how much footage do you get for $295 ?
What is it shot ?
Can you provide on other formats - PAL/NTSC - BETA ETC
Contact large agencies that handle corporate work and low to mid advertising agency - they sometimes are interested in stock footage
Talk to these people and see what stock they require ?
Re the planes project - all airlines provide high quality 35mm hdtv quality footage - if you look at any airline commercial you will notice that all shots are similar - this is because a couple of companies uniquely specialise in this and have chase lear jets designed for this filming. The other issue is that companies will only buy footage of an airline who is there client it is hard to have generic planes - better matreial for stock is generic airport with no actual id of where you are and not focusing on any specific company that way you can sell to all markets - take the ida further and you have trains planes taxis buses etc
Hope that helps
Mal

[Tom Howard]

Thanks for the reply.
All of the footage Being shot with VX2000
NTSC
I took a shot at pricing from what I have found for sale.

Water based footage: 300 scenes, The majority of scenes are 10 seconds long and can be looped.
Boat scenes tend to be longer but can not be looped.

I gave some friends Some of the waterfall scenes on dvd & We are already getting some requests for a serenity Video. (that might be Where this goes?)

As far as the Jets and Planes:
Most are private jets/planes with some Airlines.

Yes our Airport can look like it is anywhere. And I can definitely make it look like many different airports. Might have to Get a permit to get really good angles. That could be hard because of security
Are You are also suggesting filming Inside the Airport?

[John Heskett]

Tom, to get an idea as to some stock footage pricing check eBay.
Just do a search for stock footage. Now granted the big boys get far far more for their footage. Now if you get into that ballpark we may do some talking. I can always use scenic footage, but I'm on a very low/strict budget.

[Malcolm E James]

Re filming in airports - Yes Security is an issue but approach the airports in your region - outline what you are doing - and seek permission - you can also offer to let them review material to ensure that they are happy that no security has been affected.
Normally a person from the airport authority will be with you to smooth the way , if not make sure you have some ID which is normally the best way to appease security and passerbys
Hope that helps

[Tom Howard]

Well I could not believe the pricing.
Too cheap to compete with.
But A great value if you are looking for stock footage.

I think I will just use my footage for SERENITY DVD video's.
Looks like I can make 3 or 4 distinctly different 2 hour Videos.

I will need to find best way to Price & market

[John Heskett]

Marketing is usually the tough part, at least in getting good distribution beyond your local area. You might consider doing both with the same footage. You would then have two very different markets. Who knows what doors either or both might open in the future.