[Fmpro] $ depletion

[Mark Northam]

I'm no math wizard, however given the quickly increasing number of songs in
television, and assuming that the broadcasters are not paying any more (they
already pay for everything), since a minute of song is paid at 500% of what
a minute of score is, common sense says we can probably expect some pretty
rapidly declining score rates as songs exponentially grab a larger and
larger share of the royalty pie.

Since the PROs won't release the estimated amount of score vs. song,
mathematical predictions are difficult to calculate, of course. But then
again, that's how the PROs like to keep us -  ignorant of the overall
financial big-picture regarding our royalties as an industry. But then
again, they can only do this because we allow them to.

But I'm sure the songwriters will be thanking (quietly, on the way to the
bank) our friends at ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for contributing to the decline in
value of what once was the most important music on film and television. Our
losses mean their gains, after all!  Indeed, it's become a self-fulfilling
prophecy. Pay a genre of music little enough (for political reasons, of
course), over long enough a period, and eventually those who write it will
seek greener pastures. It's nothing less than indefensible, systematic
discrimination of a financial variety aimed directly at score composers and
all those whose music isn't as deemed as "valuable" as songs.

The solution? Either reform the PRO system or let's all start writing music
with live vocals ala "Boston Legal" whose vocalese laden cues get feature
performance payments since they're called "Background Vocal" on the cue
sheets. Who wouldn't want a 500% increase in royalties for a one minute cue?

Best,

Mark Northam


On 10/24/06 3:57 AM, "Les Hurdle" <leshurdle101 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> 
> Given the plethora of 'song' now being used in tv shows, given the
> increased number of songs in 'normal' movies [+ those movies will be
> broadcast at some point]......  given song* is paid at Feature
> Performance rate, no matter it's usage.....then add in the extra amount
> paid to FP for Prime Time 'hit shows'.............  how does the
> increase depletion of the 'pot' via an increase in FP payments effect
> the amount of money left for score?
> ASCAP/BMI/SESAC

---------------------------------
Mark Northam - Publisher
Film Music Magazine
The Professional Voice of Music for Film & TV
http://www.filmmusicmag.com
1-800-774-3700 x702 / (310) 645-9000 x702