NEWS & TUTORIALS on Royalty free music, Video editing, filming, video production
What Exactly Is Music Clearance And Licensing?
If you’re deep in the world of video and movie, you know all about the importance of music. It can make a scene work, not work, make it stronger, weaker, etc. More to the point, the music helps keep the viewers entertained and essentially helps the viewer have a great overall experience, making the film or video memorable. Picking the song is critical, of course, but making sure that you have the required licensing for the song to use it is even more so. What is music clearance and licensing, exactly? We’re so glad you asked!
Simply put, these terms mean that you have the required permissions to use the song in the way that you have presented to the people who own it. You can’t just go and make a movie, pair music with it, and then release it for the world to see. This is how lawsuits happen, and it’s why music clearance and licensing are both important on their own as well as together. Let’s break it down a little bit more to see how it works.
Clearance
This is the first step in the process of using a song for your film production. You put together a list of songs (and publishers, since there is often more than one per song), and write them something similar to a letter of intent. This letter will be used to determine all of the details about what you want to use and how you are looking to use it, exactly.
You have to give the title of the the song, the artist who sings it, the version of the song, what particular part of the song you want to use it, and (quite often) some sort of script of rough video of the actual part of the film that you are looking to use it in.
This will all go to the publisher(s) of the song and be used to determine whether or not they are going to give you permission to use the song. It’s important to note that if they don’t give you permission, it is illegal to use the song. Keep that in mind.
Another thing that is mentioned in the clearance section of this process if the fee that is going to go into purchasing the license (see below). You’ll have to make sure that you make yourself a good contender by offering a generous and fair amount of money to purchase the license for the song.
Licensing
This is the more legal side of the process. This is where the actual details of the song and film get laid out for both sides to see. The duration of the film, the genre of the film, the explanation as to why the song is going to be chosen, the duration of the licence (how long the song can be used for in the film after it’s released), etc.
The small details need to be hammered out here, as once this license is put together and signed, it is a legal binding document that needs to be abided by both sides. The good thing is, the more information you give in your original letter asking for permission, the easier the actual licensing agreement is going to be.
Why is this important?
The world is run by all sorts of rules and regulations, some legal and some otherwise. If you are looking to make your movie unforgettable you can have all the special effects you want, but you need to make sure that you have all of the legalities in check, or none of it is going to mean anything when it comes for the public to view it. Not asking for permission is one thing, but getting a license and then breaking it, is another, entirely.
You need to stay within the lines of the license and make sure that you are always following the legal rules when it comes to music clearance and licensing. As you can probably imagine, all it takes is one infraction to alienate yourself both from the community of movies and film, as well as the music industry. News travels fast, and no one will want to work with a music producer who broke the basic rules of rights and music. So, if you want to stay prominant in the world around you, getting this process underway is important.
Tips
When it comes to getting the proper permissions and everything, the sooner the process is started, the better. As mentioned, it can take a long time for you to get responses and to get the information that you need for all the publishers to draw up a license for each one. It’s also great to get the legalities of the situation out of the way so that you are free to enjoy the more sentimental part of being a movie producer/music producer. Following the rules gives you the freedom to enjoy the reason why music is so incredible in the first place.
Legalities and licenses are always finicky and awkward and frustrating, no matter how good you are at them. Make it easier on yourself by learning what they are, why they matter, how they work in your favour, and what to do in order to make sure that you aren’t stuck in between a rock and a hard place. This will help you get a step ahead of the competition out there so that you have the best package and deal that you can get.
10 Great Tips For Making A GoPro Video
Making a professional video can take a lot of work mostly because there are a lot of other people out there serving as your competition. Therefore, you need to make sure that you are equipped with some of the best equipment but, also, the best knowledge in how to make use of it. After all, you can have some of the best options out there, but if you don’t know how to use it to your advantage, are you really gaining anything? This should help you get your name out there for professional quality as well as content.
- Put the camera in place before all else
When you are new to the world of GoPro, it’s easy to think about the idea of simply putting all your gear on and then putting the camera in place, right? Well, it’s actually not really the best option. Instead, we recommend that you put the camera into place on your gear before you put that specific piece of gear on. This way you know that it is safely mounted beforehand, and you won’t accidentally damage it when you are trying to put the camera in place when you are already wearing the gear.
- Find the right position
Make sure you’ve tested the right position for the camera so that you are going to actually be filming what you set out to film. This can often be a lot harder than you would think, but you have to make sure that you don’t underestimate this importance. Test with the same gear in your home, or a friend’s home, or wherever you feel comfortable, and get to know the right position before you set out to do the real thing. The last thing you want to do is great an amazing shot, only to find out you weren’t even looking at the right place, right? Of course not.
- Make sure you get the right zoom/frame
Similar to the point above, this is important. Test all of the features out and really get to know your GoPro device in terms of how it looks best for a final shot and the most effective angel and sweep. Everything like that is important to know before you go out and do the real thing and expect stellar results. Practice really does make perfect.
- Remember to keep yourself focused
When the real event happens, it’s easy to forget that you’re wearing a GoPro. So, make sure you keep yourself practiced by getting a routine down and sticking with it in the final event where the camera is strapped on and you’re in fine form. Stay focused on what you came there to do and get multiple takes to make sure that you are giving yourself the footage you had in mind when you bought the camera.
- Shaky = Terrible
This is obvious, but important. Because the camera isn’t stabilized, keeping the video from being shaky is going to be very difficult. You need to do your best to make sure that you keep it as steady as possible because you’re going to be very unimpressed with the final thing if you don’t. This is obvious, of course, but is especially important to note when you are working with a GoPro that is strapped onto your helmet, etc.
- Accessories are your BFF
On that same note, accessories exist so that you can get rid of many of these problems that we’ve been discussing. Check out the options online and don’t be afraid to get those gadgets for yourself. Remember that you are in the professional business of this world, so you have to make sure that you treat yourself accordingly. Get what you need in order to get that fantastic shot that you’ve always dreamed about.
- Consider a mic to go hand in hand with the video
If you are working on an action shot, you should seriously consider a clip on mic to go with your video. You’ll be able to make sure that you get stellar video and audio that way, so don’t underestimate its power!
- Consult with friends who have used them before
If you are new to the world, or are looking to bump up your skills, seriously consider the idea of chatting with someone who has used one before and get their advice on how to best use your machine. Likewise, share your tips and advice with those around you, too, when they ask for your advice on something.
- Consider a drone for nature shots
If you are shooting long range nature shots where you need to get every detail crystal clear from a great angle, consider a drone to help you get the perfect shot from start to finish. You’ll be incredibly happy with the results and, let’s be honest, it’s a lot of fun to play with.
- Make sure you’re shooting something interesting
Yes, this is painfully honest, but important. Make sure you are shooting something that is important enough to document, because you simply have to make sure that you are in the right business. You’ll know when the time comes for you and the right thing to document. Don’t be afraid to check out your competition, too. You can learn from the mistakes and ideas of others so that your video skills are as strong and powerful as you want them to be.
10 Great Tips For Making A GoPro Video
These tips should help you get started off on the right foot so that you are ready to take on the world from the viewer of your camera. No guide is perfect for each professional out there, but these ten tips should help you really get something worth sharing beyond just friends and family. All you have to do is just explore the limits of the ten things above and you’ll get something that is incredible by many people’s standards. Plus, you’ll have all of the fun of getting the footage in the first place!
To be eligible for a GoPro free track, you need permission to use the music in your video. We’ve made it easy and simple. Filmtv-tracks offers you a huge library of selected music. It’s all free.
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Commercial Use of Aerial Footage is Now Legal
Commercial Use of Aerial Footage is Now Legal
Aerial drones are a relatively new piece of technology that sound people fine invasive, while others find invigorating. Regardless of how you may feel personally about drones, you have to admit that they are incredible pieces of technology that are really helping us understand just how the world is progressing. For those who are loving drones and everything that they can do in how we see the world, you’re about to love them even more, because the commercial use of aerial footage is now legal. Wondering what that means? Here are all of the details that you need to know.
Drones are now valid lines of work
Before now, it was assumed that those who invested time and money into getting a professional drone system with all of the hottest technological gadgets that go hand in hand, it was only for personal gain. After all, drones are just toys that you can play with and won’t actually do anything useful, right? While this may be true for the department store brand, the professional drone operators with a good quality craft are now able to say that flying a drone is an official line of work.
Many of us are not privy to understanding the fine work involved in drone flying, but there are many companies out there who are taking advantage of it. This is done, for example, by certain companies offering to connect drone flyers with companies who are looking for footage to be created. Like other freelancer sites, this gives the drone flyers the ability to get in touch with oppourtunities and contacts that they otherwise wouldn’t have. Thus, drone flying is now a profitable career option for those who are ready to get serious about it.
These are some of the highest source of income
While this may sound like some sort of trick, it’s the truth. The companies out there (like the one used as an example above), are some of the most profitable in the business world because they are jumping on the technology train and using their resources to fund a portion that is only going to grow faster as time goes on.
There are companies dedicated now to training those interested in learning to fly them, companies who are putting their resources towards developing more and more advanced technologies in the programming of drones, etc. Any company that is somehow connected to the development of drones and the related technology is making a lot of money quickly. It’s an exciting endeavour that has amazed businessmen and women everywhere.
They can be used in rescue work
Drones can be used in all sorts of situations including rescue work. Imagine if you could send in an unmanned machine to survey the damage so that no human life is put at risk going through rubble or debris until it is cleared to be safe for those who can go in and get help to those who need it. Additionally, drones can be used in rescue work where the manpower has to be centered around saving lives.
If a drone can help find lost and injured people by flying around and finding them at fast speeds, the time and effort of rescue workers is used much more wisely, meaning safer work experiences and more lives saved at the end of the day. Rescue work is a hard job that takes a toll on its workers, both physically and emotionally. With the use of drones, the jobs will become a little easier and maybe the profession will become more rewarding so that not as many people burn out from the program after 5-10 years. Rescue work can become a career option for everyone interested in it.
There are restrictions, and a license required
Now that it is commercially legal, there are some restrictions put onto drone usage in America, mostly centered around safety. The person who is flying the drone (or, responsible for it) must be at least 16 years old and have taken a special certification course that will show the student how to take care of the drone and maximize the safety of everyone involved. This certificate is also required at minimum if the footage is to be used commercially, because it also teaches about basic video recording tasks so that the footage quality is the best it can be.
While it may seem overly bureaucratic, it’s definitely a good idea as professional drones become more popular. Those flying them as well as creating the footage need to be trained at minimum to make sure that the good name of those professionals out there with drones doesn’t get tarnished.
How does this change the rest of the world?
If you’re not totally up to date on drones and their importance, you may be wondering how this new legislation can change the rest of the world. One of the ways, already mentioned, is with rescue work and other dangerous activities where surveillance is needed.
Another form of its usefulness is in careers like real estate. When a photo needs to be taken of something out of reach – where an aerial view might be more beneficial – drone photography is certainly something that can really offer a lot of perspective to the photograph. Drones are starting to enter all sorts of workplaces in great ways, and it is clear that the world of video- and photography is changing for the better.
The commercial use of aerial footage is a good thing for all of us, while we may not be impacted by it personally. It is an innovative field where technology is optimized and perfected for the field it is used in. Knowledge grows and power shifts. This has now all been harnessed in the legalization of the footage. Many are waiting with bated breath to see what comes next, and while it is unclear as to how the future is going to go for drones, it is certain that there will be a future for them.