5 Tips for Sync Success The sync licence gives someone the permission to use your composition in a moving picture. To begin the sync process, music has to be pitched to music supervisors. Last updated: 12 July 2021 Go to events and talk to people Film festivals are amazing places to network, meet filmmakers and pitch your music, says Kieron Jones (Bounce Publishing). It’s good to stay in touch and build on the relationships you develop, as Directors often use the same composer for different projects. Don’t just do it by email though – personal contact is important, and Kieron advises picking up the phone. Tell them your independent and have been finding it tough, be honest and they’ll have empathy. Pitch right It’s the music that counts so keep it short and sweet. If you’re an indie artist with no manager, Jonathan Tester (Head of Creative at Bucks Music) recommends approaching indie publishers with your three best songs on Soundcloud, a photo and a paragraph about yourself. If you don’t get a reply, follow it up six weeks later. Believe in your own music You need to remember that whoever is engaging you wants you for a reason, says Jonathan. When it comes to your fee, everything is down to negotiation. Ask what the film budget is first and, if the project is genuinely strapped for cash, Jonathan suggests pitching low at the start and building in trigger points so your fee increases as the film’s success grows. Don’t work for free. Even if it pays the rent for a month, that’s a start. Make sure you’re registered with PRS, MCPS and PPL According to John Hywel Morris (PRS for Music), performance and broadcast royalties can dwarf upfront fees – something to remember when negotiating pay. The most important thing as a composer is to double check your cue sheet and make sure you’re registered with PRS, MCPS and PPL. It gets easier It’s getting that first foot in the door that’s the hardest part, according to independent artist Sion Russell Jones. Everything fell into place for Sion when his music appeared on TV. People heard his music clip and got in touch, giving his career a boost. Synchronisation is a growing and potentially highly lucrative income stream, as well as a great way of growing your fanbase. If you’re thinking about it, check out our advice and get in touch with your MU Regional Office. Member services Royalty Distribution for Recordings The MU Royalties department collects between £1.5 million to £2 million a year for musicians for the secondary and further use of recordings. Read more about Royalty Distribution for Recordings Collective Bargaining The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians. Read more about Collective Bargaining Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians Our aim is to maximise the pay and employment of UK session musicians, and to collect every secondary use fee they are due. Read more about Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians Contract Advisory Service If you're a member, the MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all necessary clauses. Read more about Contract Advisory Service Unpaid Fee Recovery We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work. Read more about Unpaid Fee Recovery Personal Injury Claims Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors. Read more about Personal Injury Claims Latest news and features £1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities Applications are open for artists from under-represented communities to apply for a £1,000 career development bursary from Creative Access. Published: 27 September 2024 Read more about £1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts. Published: 21 August 2024 Read more about MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film Musician Janie Price aka Bird has just released her first short film soundtrack ‘Wider Than The Sky’, she’s also been a member of the MU for 24 years. In this guest blog, she shares her journey and advice for other members intrigued by the world of score design and DIY projects. Published: 15 July 2024 Read more about Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK. Published: 01 June 2024 Read more about MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI Record labels and publishers (rights holders) are planning a campaign on AI and they want composers and musicians to back them. MU Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains why that is such a challenging ask. Published: 20 May 2024 Read more about Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI Read more
Royalty Distribution for Recordings The MU Royalties department collects between £1.5 million to £2 million a year for musicians for the secondary and further use of recordings. Read more about Royalty Distribution for Recordings
Collective Bargaining The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians. Read more about Collective Bargaining
Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians Our aim is to maximise the pay and employment of UK session musicians, and to collect every secondary use fee they are due. Read more about Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians
Contract Advisory Service If you're a member, the MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all necessary clauses. Read more about Contract Advisory Service
Unpaid Fee Recovery We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work. Read more about Unpaid Fee Recovery
Personal Injury Claims Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors. Read more about Personal Injury Claims
£1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities Applications are open for artists from under-represented communities to apply for a £1,000 career development bursary from Creative Access. Published: 27 September 2024 Read more about £1,000 Career Development Bursary for Artists from Under-Represented Communities
MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts. Published: 21 August 2024 Read more about MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund
Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film Musician Janie Price aka Bird has just released her first short film soundtrack ‘Wider Than The Sky’, she’s also been a member of the MU for 24 years. In this guest blog, she shares her journey and advice for other members intrigued by the world of score design and DIY projects. Published: 15 July 2024 Read more about Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film
MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK. Published: 01 June 2024 Read more about MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London
Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI Record labels and publishers (rights holders) are planning a campaign on AI and they want composers and musicians to back them. MU Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains why that is such a challenging ask. Published: 20 May 2024 Read more about Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI