Hi everybody,
As I am thinking about to make a demoreel I was wondering what do I have to think about if I want to use a piece of music? Example: If a friend made a piece of music which sounds like something else from a known band or artist but it is not indeed, would I be allowed to use it in my demoreel?
ciao voolger
As far as I’ve ever been told, you can use whatever you please- just as long as it isn’t being used commercially. Demo reels are not seen as commercial.
In terms of shorts and such- even if they would be in a free animation screening or such- that is still a public screening, and wouldn’t be allowed either.
Hi Defago,
Thanks for your reply.
I thought that as long as a demoreel is not used commercially or for public screening the sound or music used for it would be excempted from licencing issues.
ciao voolger
Demo reel or not, you release it into the public. And if it is a piece from an artist you do not have consent from, you might get into trouble when your reel becomes popular. Just think about it, if a reel would be exempt, then all the music swappers have to do is to attach a popular song to some dumb clip they declare as demo reel.
Be careful and select something free. There is soooooo much royaltee free music out there… it’s not even funny. Another way to keep out of trouble is to play only a very limited amount of the song. Like the preview on itunes. With the propper credits, nothing will ever happen. But full length… then you are in the hot zone.
Cheers
Lemo
Music that sounds like someone else’s could be construed as plagiarism and could land you in court, likewise using music without permission is really a no-no, even if it isn’t for something commercial. Although you won’t be making money directly from a demo reel your prospective employers won’t be impressed if you use stuff without permission.
One thing you might try is asking an up-and-coming composer if you can use something. You may find that they’d value the exposure if properly credited. After all, your reel will be considered by just the studios that may be looking for music too. I don’t know, but perhaps that is how Steven Chen got the excellent music for his reel. It’s by Justin Durban .
Another alternative that you might consider is to get someone who has an orchestral sample player to use a royalty-free midi file to output some music. The results can be pretty much as good as hiring your own orchestra.
Hi Lemo and Marcus
thanks for your comments. I am sure that I heart of the issues you mentioned, but was not sure whether I was right. I think, if in any case, I will just use a part of a song or piece of music. As for the plagiarism, I have to rethink my strategy.
Thanks again
ciao voolger
P.s.: I agree that the music in Steven’s reel is execellent.
Do you know smartsound.com? Pretty cool results for the effort you have to put in. And the timing fits always 100%.
Cheers
Lemo
thanks for the links marcus and lemonnado.
I have to see what I will get for my reel.
ciao voolger