[Fmpro] Film Contract

[Dana from Serious Vanity Music]

I have to agree with Les that just the idea of losing something that is 
inherently mine when I don't really have to is just unacceptable.

Yes, we love our art, which is why we studied for years and honed our craft 
to the point that we are now each specialists in our field, whose creations 
and content are needed by other specialists in their fields.  I'm sure many 
of these companies wouldn't think of stiffing their catering companies (who 
no doubt love to cook), duplication houses, distributors, even their web 
hosting companies, all who may also get personal accomplishment rewards from 
their jobs.

I'm not saying this to be critical of the attitude of personal achievement 
as its own payment, because nothing feels worse than finishing a product you 
DON'T like for a client and having to live with your name in the credits for 
it, no matter what you're paid.  But it should never be the ONLY payment.

And I think it makes a huge difference whether smaller compensation (I 
refrain from saying "no pay" because that really only applies to student 
work, no?  Or should?) is from the money just not existing (example:  I did 
some low-budget videogame music because the company was very small, and 
distribution is very, very limited.  They're main focus was outreach to 
kids, and that was the purpose of the game.  I knew they weren't 
"withholding" anything from me).  If money from my rights is simply being 
diverted to someone else instead of me, there's no amount of feeling good 
about my work that makes that right.

Sorry for the longwindedness of this reply this morning.  Chasing down 
invoices has got me feisty, and reminded me of all of these things!  Once 
again, many thanks to this group for the invaluable education your combined 
experience has provided.  As my own company moves into its next phase, the 
many saved emails have been some of my most important assets in making sure 
I've got my ducks in a row.

Namaste,
Dana Detrick-Clark
Serious Vanity Music
http://www.seriousvanity.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Les Hurdle" <leshurdle101 at sbcglobal.net>
To: <fmpro at nxport.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Fmpro] Film Contract


>A 'right' lost is a terrible thing..........  GEMA.
>
> Les
>
> On Aug 9, 2006, at 5:10 PM, jbrave wrote:
>
>> The question is, will it eat you up for the rest of your life if you
>> sell the rights? Or not? Can you live with it? Is it worth the credit
>> or money or whatever? Will your kids starve and your wife/husband/
>> domestic partner leave you?
>>
>> I wonder if the old question of "selling out" is kind of loaded - for
>> some projects I think I would feel ok,
>
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