I’m Still Busy…

Yes it’s true, I keep very busy and this is why my Wednesday blog is being published on Friday.  Consistency is important to me but there are times when things happen.  I just pulled out my “films in production” list and started making notes.  It’s kind of a make shift to-do-list. For a list of the films I’m working on, you can visit my IMDb page.

Last week I gave details on what I do.  This week I’ll talk about the films I’m working on.  I balance the work load to minimize the amount of multi-tasking that’s required.  On some films the ball is in the publisher and record labels court.  I’m waiting for their quotes so I can either accept them or start negotiating.

“Conflict of Interest” just wrapped filming on Wednesday.  Post-production has commenced and I’m looking at some rough cuts of scenes that I’ll be placing music in.  I’m also dealing with composers.  There’s still some time before the composer gets involved as we’ll need to work with a locked cut.

I received a newly edited cut of “She Pedals Fast (For a Girl)” last week.  There have been several song replacements and I’ve started the clearance process on these new songs. 

I’m still looking for songs for the documentary, “Light, Bright Damn Near White.”  With the low budget situation, it’s been a challenge getting the songs that the director originally wanted to place in the doc.  I’ve been out searching for new material and have found some interesting songs that seem to work well in the doc.  I’m getting all of license agreements for these unsigned artists and songwriters drafted and signed.

“The Kings of Texas” licensing is in progress.  We are also working on a soundtrack album.  There’s a lot of work to go on this film as we are trying to release the CD as a companion to the DVD.

“Misunderstood” and “MANchild” are both being produced by Scenarios USA.  These two films were written by high school students and directed by Clark Johnson and Rawson Thurber respectively.  These students were given the liberty to select songs for these two films and I’m looking at songs from Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, The Temptations, and Usher.  It’s a very ambitious list of songs with the likelihood that I will not be licensing these songs for these two films.  Unless the publishers and record labels agree to support the program that Scenarios USA has with these kids, I’ll have to find replacement songs.

The animated feature film, “Mars,” is using only one song.  It’s a cover version of Lou Reed’s “Satellite of Love.”  Lou has final say over any licensing of his music so we’re waiting on his permission.

“Gretchen” has been complete since 2006.  It now has a distributor and we have to get the music cleared before the distributor can rightfully distribute the film.  I’m still working with the producers and distributor on budget issues.

Documentary “Year at Danger” is still in the licensing stage.  I’m waiting for licensing quotes to come back with one record label from an old 1960’s recording of “Little Bitty Pretty One” still in limbo.  This film has been a challenge as it was financed by film maker Steve Metz hazardous duty pay.  As a result, there’s very little money available in the music budget.  There are plans to raise more funds to cover the licensing fees.

Original music for “Lovely, Still” is currently being recorded.  The licensing fees for Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Frank Sinatra’s “Let It Snow” came in too high.  The synch fee alone for “White Christmas” came in at $25,000.  Once the new recordings are done, I’ll be working on the final agreements for these songs and the rest of the songs in the film.

A huge licensing issue with “Harmony and Me” is causing grief for the director and producers.  Elton John’s “Harmony” is coming in at six figures.  I’m trying to negotiate a step deal with the record label and publisher.  Not sure yet if these quotes will come in more affordable.

Outside of my music supervisor role, I’m working with my wife on getting our film “The Funeral Singer” out to festival.  We’ve just met the deadline for the Oldenburg International Film Festival in Germany today.  The film has already been selected into South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, the Chashama Film Festival in New York and the Michigan Womyn’s Music and Film Festival which starts August 5^th.

I’ve got more work pending and I look forward to the completion of these films and a whole new slate of films, documentaries and TV pilots.