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Perspective

Apr. 29, 2009

Settling the Score

Whether commissioning original music or securing rights to a song, filmmakers must navigate complex rules, writes Mark Litwak.

By Mark Litwak

When it comes time to place music on a soundtrack, the television producer or filmmaker has a choice: One can either obtain the right to use pre-existing music (e.g. a popular song), or commission an original musical score (i.e. hire a composer to create something new specifically for the movie). Of course, the filmmaker could combine aspects of both: Buy some songs and hire a composer to create some new music.

Purchasing Pre-Existing Music<...

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