I had a request today that upset me a little bit. I’d like to know your opinions on it.
A friend who works for a Chinese skateboarding company (I live in China) asked me if they could use my music for free for a skateboarding video they’re about to shoot. She declared they had no budget for music and the management didn’t consider it’s necessary to pay for music in general as they can get it for free.
So frankly, I said no explaining that I would not give away my music for free for commercial purposes. But what keeps going circles in my head: wouldn’t being featured in that video give me a ton of exposure?
To add a little bit of context: I’m almost 40 with a solid day job, hobbyist producer playing the occasional live gig and sometimes doing small jobs for film or shows. I’m not expecting to get anywhere with my music. On the other hand I wouldn’t mind if it still would happen :).
So my main reason to decline the request was to not support that company’s business practice. It’s certainly not about the money (I offered them a very low price). On the other hand, this is China and I won’t educate them, but the movie might get quite some reach.
I can still change my decision. What do you think? Is it normal what that company is pulling off? Or are they rip offs?
I would have said the same.
I’m fine with giving away music for projects that don’t have a budget, good causes etc., but if it’s effectively an ad, yeah they should pay.
I’m sure they can get music for free, but you don’t have to play that game. It’s very common though, I wouldn’t be upset. Just don’t do it.
This question comes up a lot. I did live audio and some composition for a local podcast for free because there was literally no budget…no one was getting paid.
I also wanted something I could put on a resume and cover letter. I can easily point to their website and say look at these things I recorded and music I wrote. It was also good practice for a number of skills which I wanted. I now work at a radio station and that work I did on the podcast was a big talking point in my interview.
Only you can answer this question for yourself. If you give them a piece of music you already have finished it’s not like you’re putting any more time and effort into it. They are just going to go and get free music elsewhere anyway
Then again, the movie might not get any reach.
I think you did the right thing. Set your standards and stick to them.
Giving away your art for “exposure” only works one way.
Think of it this way, is the skate company in question a famous skate brand? Like Independent, or Thunder? Or are they a small brand, only known in your country? How much “exposure” are we talking? Can you spend any of it? Will it help pay the bills, or buy new gear, or travel expenses?
If you dont like their business practices, stick to your instincts.
Personally, when people say art isnt worth paying for, I tend to tune out and ignore what ever else they say.
I’d give away music for a company only if it was, say, a friend’s new project and I wanted them to succeed and they were working on a shoestring.
Or maybe, maybe if I genuinely really loved the product (and even then, I’d expect to be paid if it was a profitable company).
A business which is not willing to pay at least a little bit for your stuff involved in a commercial project (or compensate you in any other way) shows absolutely no respect.
When you’ll go down this road, it’s very likely that the next business (hearing from the first one) will treat you the same.
you did the right thing imo. I also only would give it away if it was a friend of mine with no budget. Even then… I often asked friends to help me with artwork or video, and as they like my music they liked to be part of it, but I still offer them some money just to show respect for their work (I don’t make money from the end product at all…)
The attitude art should be free or isn’t worth anything and just a nice hobby anyway is another sad disease of modern society
imagine telling a roofer that they werent going to get paid but that theyd get tons of exposure from all the people who saw the roof they built.
its theft of services. ( i suppose not techinacally, but as far as ideals, yes)
you did right.
I would ask for a couple of skateboards as compensation. That way they do pay something for the music. And you could say that you actually got something for it.
Ive had several newspapers use my photos without asking, and ive always made them pay something. Not that i needed the money, but as a prinsiple it should have a cost for them.
I’m a bit torn on this. On the one side I also wouldn’t want to give my music away for free just because they didn’t plan any budget for it. Then on the other side, will you be asking yourself how cool it would have been to “be” in that spot. Have it laying around on your drive to showboat later and reminisce… I think it depends where you want to go with your stuff. It would for me.
I think I’d do it. Sometimes payment isn’t money. And to be blant, if you don’t do it, somebody else will. I know thats not a good reason to do something like this, but here’s another perspective: If you ever are asked again or taking into consideration then you have at least some credit to show.
And shit, I think seeing (or hearing in this case) ones art in something like that just is plain cool. You don’t have to do it over and over. YOLO
Edit: one more thing. Is your music going to be released somewhere and earn money or something? Or will it die alone on your harddrive? That’s another point I’d take into the equation. Leaning more toward first = no. More towards second = yes
Do they pay the operator? The video editor? The skateboarder or other actors?
Why music is an exception? No budget is bullshit, it is a million income business.
It’s interesting that the budget for music is seen as distinct from the video production. If it’s a friend then that also changes the dynamic.
If it’s a major part of the video, then I’d probably ask:
If they could put your credit on-screen whilst the music is playing. I’ve not seen any skate/surf videos of late, do they still do that?!
To give you some “toys” as payment.
That way you can feel that you’ve been valued without taking up traditional budget. The value of “exposure” is hard to quantify without knowing more but the value is a lot lower if you nobody can see it’s you.
As an aside, it might be a nudge to release some (more) material, so that there’s something to find if someone looks you up?
Everytime someone accepts a job only in exchange for exposure it undermines the standing of every professional (meaning people who do this for a living) in this field. I know it’s tempting but from own experience exposure gives you barely anything in return and too often people have a rather naive idea of what that exposure might be/end up in. If they won’t even give you any merchandise in return then definitely don’t do it because this way you will be the one paying (metaphorically).
