Does anyone know if the rights to music have to be purchased if being performed in the film by and independent performer or performers such as band or singers or dancers performing to a song. Thanks Elly

Hi Elly! (I moved your thread to a more appropriate forum).

There have been many discussions on this topic in the past. Try using our "Search Forums" feature with keywords like "Music" & "Rights".

Here are a few good threads --

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=8791
http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=8745
http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=7406

You need a master use and sync agreement. One is to use the recording (rather than rerecord the song yourself) and the other is to use the song. So it's 2 things. You can have 2 separate agreements or 1 combined agreement.