I'm brand new to documentary filmmaking.
I have just completed an 18 minute documentary short that I am about to start submitting to festivals. However, there is a song that the subject of my documentary sings a cappella. This song was written in the 1930s, is not a hugely popular song, but is currently owned by a major publishing house.
I fear this publishing house will ask an exorbitant amount for the license. I do not have a lawyer or representative to negotiate with the publisher on my behalf and I certainly don't have large funds.
1) I am wondering if I can use her a cappella performance for the purposes of festival screenings without getting into trouble?
2) I am wondering if I can use an instrumental accompaniment (with its own copyright and license) underneath her vocals for the purposes of festival screenings without getting into trouble?
FYI: My hope is that an eventual distributor would be willing and better able to negotiate on my behalf to pay for the song.
I was wondering if anyone here has experience with this or if you can lead me to a link or website that can clarify this for me?
Thank you so much!
I have just completed an 18 minute documentary short that I am about to start submitting to festivals. However, there is a song that the subject of my documentary sings a cappella. This song was written in the 1930s, is not a hugely popular song, but is currently owned by a major publishing house.
I fear this publishing house will ask an exorbitant amount for the license. I do not have a lawyer or representative to negotiate with the publisher on my behalf and I certainly don't have large funds.
1) I am wondering if I can use her a cappella performance for the purposes of festival screenings without getting into trouble?
2) I am wondering if I can use an instrumental accompaniment (with its own copyright and license) underneath her vocals for the purposes of festival screenings without getting into trouble?
FYI: My hope is that an eventual distributor would be willing and better able to negotiate on my behalf to pay for the song.
I was wondering if anyone here has experience with this or if you can lead me to a link or website that can clarify this for me?
Thank you so much!