Getting permission to use songs in movies?
 

How do you go about getting permission to use a certain song in your movie? I've had some unsigned bands say they'd help me out with some music for my movie when I make it...but I also thought I may try to use at least one or two songs by a signed band. And does anyone have any idea about how much I'd have to pay to use a song in a movie?

...
 

I think the answer is way too much, sorry. :( I'm not sure but I think you'd pretty much have to stick with unsigned bands, hire a composer, or buy royalty free music.

Send me beer (not lite) and cigarettes (non-menthol) and I'll do your music, LilMiss :D
CK

Thanks everybody for the responses...I kinda figured it would be expensive but I wasn't sure.
I do know a guy from one signed band though, and he mentioned helping me on my movie...I'm not sure how he wanted to help but maybe his band will let me use some of their songs. I wanted to use some other songs by other signed bands too but oh well... if this one band will let me use at least one of their songs, it will help alot. :p I have also searched and found some royalty-free music that sounds pretty good for a horror movie. :p

you can't use a person's or group's version of a public domain song, but you can just get a midi of it, tweek it around so it doesn't sound so computer-ish (maybe make it a softer piano or violin type thing) and convert it to a wav file

One of the best way to use copyrighted music is to have a band do a cover of whatever song you want to use. Cover's cost only 8.5 cents per copy you make of the song. The Harry Fox Agency ( http://www.harryfox.com ) deals with the U.S. licensing rights for covers. Just go to http://www.songfile.com and it'll walk you through the process.

holy shit, that actually works? *covers songs*

Actually, since I last posted I found out that the "mechanical license" you get from Harry Fox only works if you're doing a cover song on a CD. If you want to use it on any sort of visual medium, you have to go dircetly to the music publisher and get what's called a "synchronization license." I'm not sure what the costs are for a cover song, (still waiting to hear back) but I know getting teh actual song can be pretty damn expensive.

Thanks for replying!