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Future Media
Central .com & .co.uk
Advice for
composers wishing to submit
NB:
All unsolicited material is binned ! Please read these submission
guidelines and follow this procedure. It will save us both a lot of time
and effort if you supply us with what we actually want!
FMC
specialises in music for media. This means that most of the time it is
either background, or if in the forefront, still supporting the
action.
Whilst you
might be a great pop/dance song writer that is NOT what we are looking
for.
Our music library concentrates on soundtracks which do not distract the
viewer, but enhances the mood of the overall action. Strangely this is
quite a different and difficult skill to develop. It doesn't mean static
pads or tracks with vocals removed either.
Current Briefs:
-
Drama and
Documentary
-
Action and
Adventure
Supplied as
2 minute, 60 second, 30 second and 10 second tag/sting mix versions.
Initially
you should email us a 128KB stereo MP3 demo of the 1 minute piece to "email"
AT K2kGroup.com
with the subject "submission2807"
(no spaces or quotes).
Please ONLY use this email address like this and make sure attachments
total less than 1MB. Anything else will be automatically rejected. We
don't want to be the email police, but because of the volume of
submissions (and spam) we can get, we have to be strict about this. This
is an automated process with no tolerance.
If you don't
know how t make an MP3, we suggest you try this FREE GNU licensed one
> SimpleMP3 < which
includes an MP3 encoder/decoder.
If you have Nero (the CD
making software) you'll find that this can do it too under the Extras menu
| File Encoding option.
CONTRACT:
A sample FMC composers
contract in PDF format is here > Contract PDF 40KB <
(Adobe reader is free from >
Adobe <)
If accepted,
you MUST get this contract vetted by your own independent legal council.
Whilst it's intent should be fairly straight forward and obvious, you
should always check any contract won't stitch you up. Ours included.
Composers FAQ:
Will you re-record my
work in a studio?
NO not normally. Desktop music technology is at such a level that
you should be able to produce CD quality results yourself. With recordings
which require an acoustic environment you should pay for your own studio
time. We expect only finished masters to be delivered. We strongly
recommend getting a professional (such as a studio or freelance engineer)
to mix your work.
Will I get a huge
advance?
NO! Afraid not. We can only pay you money as your work has earned it. We
don't make money otherwise either.
Can I give up my day job?
NO! Even if you are a highly successful composer there are no guarantees
that future work will come in. You would need SAVINGS and a strong
portfolio to take such a risk, in our opinion.
What format masters do
you accept?
Masters should be on DAT, Audio CD or CD-ROM (as 44.1Khz or 96Khz wave
files in 16 or 24 bit).
How do I make my mixes
sound commercial?
Using an external professional freelance engineer or studio, will take the
pressure off your artistic shoulders. Considering that engineering is a
job in itself, don't be surprised if developing these skills takes you
several years.
The short cut is to use someone else who is already trained. This will
also gives you a useful independent fresh perspective.
You can find some mixing advice on the web - such as at www. and on-line
courses at our associated company
www.KIPuniversity.com
These books (available
from Amazon) also seem quite good, but different people prefer different
styles of writing of course.
How do I copyright my own
work?
The simplest method is to send yourself a copy of it by recorded delivery
(about 60p extra) and NOT to open it when it arrives.
Write on the outside of the envelope what it is. You will end up with
loads of these.
Jiffy bags are good because they only have one seal to protect. Sign
across the join of the seal in biro pen (not felt tip or
pencil).
Self adhesive strips and Sellotape are useless after a few years. Use a
proper non water based long-life glue (i.e.) when you seal the envelope.
I "staple" the recorded delivery slip through the seal as well once it
arrives. Make sure the date stamp on this is legible. Asking politely at
the counter and explaining you need it legible is usually received OK.
MAKE SURE the contents are robust and the data is intact. A typed paper
copy explaining the contents (copyright notice [ (c) 2003 John Doe ], by
who, when, of what, etc. ) is also useful. If it's a CD, make sure it's
not corrupt.
What about the copyright
in loops and samples?
YOU are responsible for copyright clearance on any elements contained
within your work.
Do NOT rely on having mutated something will get you in the clear!
READ the license that comes with your sample library. Any that require a
pass-on credit (rarer these days) will have to be avoided. We cannot
demand what credits our clients give.
What if I've used other
composers or musicians on my project?
You MUST get them to sign the FMC sub contract. This binds them to the
same contract terms as you. We REQUIRE a copy of this document!
In it you specify what you are going to pay them (up front and/or as a
royalty). YOU are responsible for paying them. Your own FMC
statement will remind you what is due to them.
Can I work for other
people whilst a member of FMC?
Of course! All we require is that the works you have assigned to us as
your agent, are EXCLUSIVELY handled by us. This doesn't prevent you doing
OTHER work for other people.
Should I back up my
source project and how should I archive it?
Too Right! Computers and hard drives do crash and money is now
involved. And you never know when you might need to do a remix of a work.
Because of the threats of fire and theft, the only real backup is an
"Off-Site" archive, such as a CD-ROM backup held at another location, or
files stored on the web in your private (secure) FTP area. There are
several companies offering secure web storage. One of the cheapest is our
associated company www.webdesignshop.net
FREE hosting is no good unless they can guarantee that no one can access
it without the password. Any file on the web (even if the filename isn't
known or linked to) could be downloaded.
What are
some good websites to keep me up to date with music technology?
www.dancetech.com
www.harmonycentral.com
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