I'm surprised there isnt a thread about this.

Around how much does it cost to get the rights to put a famous song in my film? I mean like a really famous, top of the charts song. Does it depend on if i use the whole song, or parts, or how many times...?

If you want the truth you'd better have a gigantic budget. I mean I would love to put some of Breaking Benjamin's new stuff into my upcoming film but I'm only makin around $5,000 a year right now. On my last project I wanted to use a 30 second clip from this no name artist and she wanted $799 for it. I told her no thanks I'll just use something else of the same exact quality from stockmusic.net and pay $30 for it.

Well thats sort of useful info but...... it still doesnt really answer my question....

Well thats sort of useful info but...... it still doesnt really answer my question....

Well I say this because that was a no name artist charging $799 for a 30 second clip in my credits. If she was a no name artist (which she was) I can only imagine the huge price tag on a mainstream song.

theres no awnser. every song and artist will be different depending on the film and how much the producer can get it for.

but upwards of $100,000 and most likely royalties.

Both CDCosta and DRthunderMD answered your first
question so I'll take the second.

Does it depend on if i use the whole song, or parts, or how many times...?
Yes. All those aspects matter. The prices can be
different depending on your intended use.

Don't forget the cost of your entertainment attorney. Anywhere from $150 to $500 an hour.

This is all negotiated between songwriter and producer. Look up their info on ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, and then contact them.

Major publishing companies are COMPLETELY unrealistic about licensing not just famous songs but obscure songs. Once I wanted to license "Piece of the Action" by "Beau Nasty" (who was a 1 album flash in the pan band that nobody but me remembers) and the Harry Fox Agency (I believe it was) wanted like a THOUSAND DOLLARS just to allow me to use the song in my movie at film festivals. I asked them why the hell would I pay that amount considering that festivals are FREE and nobody makes any money off of them. They were clueless. I told them to take a hike.

I suggest contacting an agency that is realistic about their prices and the fact that indie producers want to license stuff in perpetuity for a flat price. I wound up using www.nomamusic.com They rep bands that have studio quality recordings.

Yeah those prices can be very.... Laughable I guess would be the right word.
Off course it is just to protect the rights of the composer, but publishers tend to go a bit overboard with that.

Myspace is your friend... Just send a nice e-mail to unknown artists you think will fit. Most likely they'll be happy just for the credit.

I always find it interesting that filmmakers, who I assume are
interested in making money from their work, do not appreciate
that musicians want to make money from their work.

I know, I know, you think publishers and musicians are asking too
much because you won’t be making a profit. Why should they?

Let’s hope that someday you have something that other people like
enough want to use. Perhaps your excellent script. Maybe a great
scene from your feature. Or even a wonderful short film.

The analogy isn’t really accurate because it doesn’t happen -
except maybe for a script - but I hope my point is clear. These
people worked hard and they created a product that other people
want to use. They want to be paid.

Selling out? Greedy? Unrealistic?

I hope that when those of you who feel music (even famous songs)
should be given away or sold for a price you can afford will give
away your hard work when you have reached that level. When that
beginning filmmaker wants to use your script and just can’t
afford to pay for it, you will give it to them with your
blessing.

I couldn't agree more with Directorik...

Whether or not you can afford or are willing to pay for music (or audio design or scripts or lighting design or craft services, etc) has nothing to do with someone's right to charge for it.