[Fmpro] ASCAP POLICY AT SUNDANCE

[Eric Goetz]

And don't forget SESAC (http://www.sesac.com/).  I'm personally with ASCAP,
but SESAC has been doing some pretty impressive things lately.  Some of my
friends with SESAC and are very happy with them.

Eric

On Jan 8, 2008 8:34 AM, Grant Damron <grant at inomadmusic.com> wrote:

>
>   Don't forget that you CAN switch to BMI.  It won't make up for what
>   you feel you may have lost from being affiliated with ASCAP, but if
>   you don't feel well represented by an organization don't let it
>   represent your future work!
>   While it is difficult to see much of difference, in terms of numbers,
>   between the royalties BMI and ASCAP distribute to underscore composers
>   (my own, admittedly paltry, research shows BMI being very slightly
>   higher), BMI does seem to at least be actively interested in having
>   film composers on their roster.  I've met a number of people who say
>   they were personally courted by Hannah Pantle and are satisfied with
>   their decision.  In terms of technology, too, BMI has embraced the
>   cutting edge much more quickly.  There, the issue is guns vs numbers:
>   BMI with its advanced techniques for gathering performance information
>   or ASCAP with its enormous network.
>   Of course, I'm not really trying to claim that BMI is actually better
>   than ASCAP.  It's such complicated issue.  But there is another option
>   out there (well two options, I suppose, for us americans).  Especially
>   when the quantitative data is unclear, you have to go with your gut.
>   some of my thoughts, anyway -
>   - Grant
>   __________________________
>   (Inconspicuous)Nomad Music
>   [1]inomadmusic.com
>   [2]grant at inomadmusic.com
>   __________________________
>   Mark Holden wrote:
>
> ASCAP POLICY AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
>
> I'd like to raise a topic that may be worthy of the list's attention.
> ASCAP
> is representing only songwriters at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival
> Cafe, basically shutting-out score composers.
>
> [3]http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/sundance/2008/schedule.aspx
>
> I find this policy to be outrageous. To use money and resources earned by
> ALL the members of ASCAP to promote a single classification of writer is
> as
> wrong as it can be. And to exclude score composers from special promotion
> at
> a prestigious film festival is wholly bizarre!
>
> Filmmakers need BOTH song and score in the vast majority of their
> productions, so why push song exclusively? What is the ASCAP leadership
> thinking? It's like selling bacon at a rabbinical convention-- it just
> don't
> smell right.
>
> I submit it goes straight to the agenda of the Bergman administration: to
> MINIMIZE instrumental score. How do they do it? Let's look at the
> evidence.
> The usage weightings, the sponsorship of networking groups, and the
> tracking
> of performances through debacles such as MediaGuide ARE ALL SONG-CENTRIC.
> And that's just for starters...
>
> Look, I'm not anti-song. There are songs in my catalog. I just want to
> know
> why ASCAP policy is so slanted against SCORE. Is there anyone else on this
> list that feels that ASCAP should balance their promotion of song and
> score
> at Sundance and elsewhere?
>
> Please, let us have your opinions.
>
> Very best,
>
> Mark Holden
>
> BTW, I heard tonight from the head of BMI Media Relations, Hanna Pantle,
> who
> assures me that BMI is promoting songwriters and composers in equal
> numbers
> at Sundance.
>
>
>
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> References
>
>   1. http://inomadmusic.com/
>   2. mailto:grant at inomadmusic.com
>   3. http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/sundance/2008/schedule.aspx
>   4. http://www.filmmusicmag.com/
>   5. http://www.fmproquotes.com/
>   6. http://nxport.com/mailman/listinfo/fmpro
> _______________________________________________
> The Film Music Pro List is sponsored by Film Music Magazine -
> http://www.filmmusicmag.com
>
> Best of FMPRO: http://www.fmproquotes.com - Quotes site  by Billy Hale
> Music
>
> To edit your list options or unsubscribe, visit:
> http://nxport.com/mailman/listinfo/fmpro
>



-- 
Eric Goetz  -- musician and film composer
(206) 818-2546
http://ericgoetz.com