I was just wondering, how much does it cost to use a famous song in a sitcom?
Music in sitcoms
Quote: catskillz @ September 23 2008, 7:13 PM BSTI was just wondering, how much does it cost to use a famous song in a sitcom?
Depends.
I would imagine anywhere from a few hundred quid, to a few thousand. Then even more for the DVD - hence clearance issues.
In terms of writing, I would advise not including music ideas.
I've been thinking about writing a musical sitcom. Not one about music, one where the characters actually sing funny things to each other. Just because it hasn't been done yet as far as I know (although did I read something about a musical ep of Two Pints at some point?).
But I wouldn't include proper famous songs cos no-one would ever pay the royalties, so I'd have to write my own, which I don't mind having a go at.
I was told it varies vastly. It could be nothing or tens of thousands of pounds. It depends on the artist, the track, what channel and where the show will be broadcast, demographics etc etc etc. It also depends on how much the artist / label wants their music on your show. So deals can be struck if it's going to be mutually beneficial.
I gather it's all stupidly complicated especially with recent hits. I think older songs are more accessible - unless you're wanting someone like Elvis.
What about the music that plays in the background, on the radio, e.g. in the cafe, on Eastenders?
Background music has to be licensed and paid for too. In fact, one of the things stopping some classic movies being released on DVD or shown on TV, is they can't negotiate the rights related to the soundtrack. (Or so I heard, anyway.)
Quote: Griff @ September 23 2008, 7:24 PM BSTI've been thinking about writing a musical sitcom. Not one about music, one where the characters actually sing funny things to each other. Just because it hasn't been done yet as far as I know (although did I read something about a musical ep of Two Pints at some point?).
But I wouldn't include proper famous songs cos no-one would ever pay the royalties, so I'd have to write my own, which I don't mind having a go at.
Not wanting to put you off Griff but I wrote a musical sitcom myself and it was non-starter. I was basically told by everyone from Baby Cow to the Channel 4 commissioner that musical sitcoms are seen as a massive risk and unlikely to be taken seriously if written by a newish writer. I was even told that several established named writers have tried their luck with the format and got nowhere.
It's a real shame because it's a great idea for a brand new genre. Did you see AD/BC with Matt Berry? It's a rock opera and pretty good. Clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLl02-fv_s
I thought Eastenders might've avoided paying, because of the connection to Radio 1.
Hey Perry thanks for letting me know! I won't waste my time on that one then!
(*goes back to painstakingly copying existing sitcoms and just changing a bit*)
I thought Eastenders might've avoided paying, because of the connection to Radio 1.
Nope, the artists will want additional money for being played on TV, reasonably enough in my view.
Apparently one of the great beneficiaries of the official release of Pamela Anderson's sex tape was whichever band has their music playing in the background. (And no I don't think it was Motley Crue.)
I did my dissertation on the viability of small record labels and whilst doing some of the research I read that the amount of royalties paid to play a song on radio depends on the size of the station and the number of listeners it has i.e. Radio 1 will pay a lot more than your local station to play the same track. Therefore I reckon it could well be the same for TV stations. I have noticed that 'Massive' plays quite a lot of music but I think most of those artists are on independent labels and it might be cheaper for their music though with the show being on BBC 3 it is likely that they will pay less than they would if it was on BBC 1 or 2. I read that for the DVD release of Skins they had to change almost all of the music because they couldn't get it cleared. I reckon artists and bands that haven't really broken through into the mainstream would love to have their music played on TV but Major labels probably want to charge a hefty fee
That's good, because a lot of the stuff I'd like on my show - if it ever makes it to T.V. - is on independent labels.
I'm thinking of using an original version of a Beatles song as the theme tune to my sitcom.
HAHA! The jokes on you! I'm not even writing a sitcom!
I am sure I can write a song that will do equally badly as my sitcom, so am not worried!
Quote: catskillz @ September 24 2008, 1:27 AM BSTThat's good, because a lot of the stuff I'd like on my show - if it ever makes it to T.V. - is on independent labels.
I wouldn't even bother thinking about that kind of thing at the moment.
Even if it's get on the telly, I bet you wouldn't have much of a say in the music.
I specifically write specific songs in specific scripts. The cost goes up hugely if you use American songs. And they like it be be under forty seconds as it goes up a lot after that too. When I was told I couldn't have an Elvis song in one, I wrote a comedy one myself which was nice, and pissed off my musician cousin.
If you think of Love Soup the music is very much a part of it.
So by all means think of writing songs into your script. If it is a sitcom it is YOUR sitcom not some other feckers. Remember that.
