[Fmpro] Dave Joining ASCAP/BMI

[Chris Alpiar]

well I think its easy to misunderstand the well felt and genuine problems 
between composers and ASCAP, but for the most part its the same problems 
with every PRO in the US. Its probably a good time for you to do some 
reading to understand what a PRO is and what they do. Judging from what you 
wrote you dont have a really solid understanding. They have nothing to do 
with unions. But as Pete said, you need to be a published writer with 
something being broadcast someplace in some survey in order to join. And yes 
there are a lot of problems. But they do serve a purpose as well and we 
would be most likely in a much much worse shape if we didnt have them here 
and the structure they provide for how money gets from a broadcaster to the 
creators. But yes along the years there have grown from greed many problems 
with them. What you read on this list is mostly statements from people who 
have been put out by problems with the PROs and want to see some changes. 
For instance we all want ASCAP around so somebody collects our money and 
pays us. However as composers we get the short end of the stick in many 
situations, like in how background instrumental music is paid 0.20 and 
background vocal music paid 1.00. That is just wrong and is a rule for no 
other reason than the "inner circle" of ascap being made up in the interest 
of one type of member and not another type of member. And that ASCAP makes a 
HUGE portion of their money by being extremely unaccountable for their money 
that comes in from foreign PROs and does it behind the members backs. So yea 
there are big problems, but we want to solve the problems not make ASCAP go 
away :-) If you are an American and you are having your music played on the 
radio or TV or in big venues I strongly suggest you look into ASCAP 
membership, or BMI

Chris

ps dont listen to Pete, he is a potato nosed freak with a very poor sense of 
humor.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pete" <musical411 at yahoo.com>
To: <fmpro at nxport.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 4:20 AM
Subject: [Fmpro] Dave Joining ASCAP/BMI


> Dave,
>
> If you wrote music that is broadcast on US TV or Radio, ASCAP/BMI are 
> already collecting money on your behalf. It's up to you to raise your hand 
> and tell them where to send your check. (Hopefully, Chris can tell you how 
> to register your music.)
>
> If you don't have music broadcast on US TV or Radio, I don't think you're 
> ready, or eligible, to join ASCAP or BMI. But, definitely keep them in 
> mind for the your future earnings.
>
> P.S. Don't believe EVERYTHING you read here, or anywhere else on the 
> internet. Oh, ah, um, unless I wrote it. :-)
>
> Best,
> Pete Surdoval
>
> --- On Tue, 7/29/08, David Vogel 
> <davidiusmichaelangelovogelinci at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> From: David Vogel <davidiusmichaelangelovogelinci at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Fmpro] Grrrrrrrrr   Drama King-25% ???
>> To: fmpro at nxport.com
>> Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 7:45 PM
>> I have to ask: is it even worth signing up with the ASCAP?
>> they get slagged off so much here and I really have never
>> looked into anything they do. I'm not a member and
>> I'm at the stage where I just don't see any point
>> in giving them the time of day. For me, unions seem to be
>> dead in the water and beuracracies can kiss my butt. But
>> that's just me. I do in fact know what goes on in the
>> fine print from reading governmental legislation and those
>> folks are getting nothing but a very stiff middle finger
>> from me.
>>
>> Dave
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>