Sindustry

“Hurt” by Johnny Cash

This is a seven part video interview and well worth the time checking it out if making money off your music is in your game plan
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First some disclaimers: I’m only going to discuss the tv and film side since that’s where I have personal experience.  Besides, figuring out mechanical royalties on record sales is nothing more than simple multiplication since the statutory mechanical rate is common knowledge.

Also this info is applicable only to the placement of existing songs and compositions, not to custom underscoring type work (except for the royalty part, which would be the same).

The royalty info below is based on me being a BMI affiliate, ASCAP will be generally similar, although recent changes may affect this, see below.  This is for the US market and may not be applicable elsewhere.  All numbers are applicable to unknown and unsigned artists/songwriters/composers only. 

So, there’s basically 3 ways to make money from tv and film:

1. Upfront money you may get paid when you sign a contract with a music library or publisher (henceforth MLP)
2. License fees you may get paid when your song is placed in a production
3. Performance royalties you will get paid if the production airs on TV or is shown in movie theatres OUTSIDE THE US.  There are no payments for US theatrical performances. 

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