1. What is Music Clearance and Licensing?

You need to have permission in order to put someone’s music into a film, television program, video game, etc. This process of requesting and negotiating a fee and receiving permission is called “music clearance.” After one has received clearance, the process of issuing contracts and payment is called “licensing.” To put a recording underneath picture (to “synchronize”) requires two types of rights clearances, the “sync rights” and the “master recording rights.” “Sync Rights” are for the actual words and music used (the “composition.”) “Master Recording Rights” are for the specific recording of that composition (the “master.”)

EXAMPLE… if your film needs the punk version of “Like A Prayer” as recorded by The Rondelles, there are two clearances: the “sync rights” for the composition, owned by Madonna’s publisher, Warner/Chappell Music, and the “master rights” for the recording, owned by The Rondelles’ record label, K Records.

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2. What does "one-stop" mean?

A “one-stop” clearance means that Ocean Park Music Group can provide clearances and licensing for both sync and master rights. Approval from an outside publisher (such as Warner/Chappell, or any other publisher) is unnecessary in this case. Much of our music is one-stop, helping us to provide easier, faster, and often times less expensive clearances.

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3. Can I use "eight bars for free"?

No. Not four bars. Not even one bar.

Can one of our bands use one of your credit cards? No? Even if it’s just to buy one teeny tiny little bottle of beer? No?.... We didn’t think so. “Eight Bars For Free” is not legal, and therefore not smart either. It can cost you a fortune in legal fees and licensing fees and your movie will generally suck and no one will see it. If you need reiteration, the answer is no. Seriously.

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4. I’m a starving filmmaker with no budget and want to show my film at festivals. Do I still have to pay?

Probably. Ocean Park is all about the indie spirit, but we can’t play favorites. If others have paid for the same song, we’re not going to license it again for free and piss everyone off. If there’s a big publisher involved, you’re chances of getting free music are close to impossible.

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5. Why do I have to pay if this placement is free promotion for the artist?

As the head of one of our labels once said, “if my artist gives you music for free, will you make a free video for my artist?” Think about it before saying no.

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6. How do I structure a music request for my project?

All requests for Ocean Park Music Group’s music need to be in writing. We’ll be happy to speak with you on the phone, but we will not take clearance requests over the phone. Written requests should be faxed, not emailed. Emails are too easily edited, improperly or accidentally forwarded, or lost. Clearances and licenses are legal documents and need to be on good old paper. If you don’t have access to a fax and you are serious about licensing music for a project, give us a call. I’m sure we can work something out.
Requests need to include the following info.:
1. Your name, company name, address, phone/fax/email
2. Project name, synopsis, music budget, any other important production detail
3. Song title, artist, album title, record label
4. Scene description – describe the scene in the movie/show
5. Use & timing – instrumental or vocal? How long is the music use?
6. Rights requested (length of term, territories needed, media needed)
7. Deadline for clearance

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7. What are the costs of licensing music?

It completely depends on everything listed in the above question. That being said, some artists/songs are more expensive than others. In general, Ocean Park Music Group will get you better deals to work within your budget (or lack thereof) on our one-stop songs than major labels / major publishers can do for their own songs. Indie is better than corporate, musically and fiscally. That’s why we exist!

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8. What are the costs of NOT licensing music?

Financially (see question 4) the costs can be astronomical. If you use music without securing permission and paying for it, you WILL pay for it.
Artistically, you NEED our music! Art just isn’t art without Ocean Park.

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9. How long does it take to receive permission for a music use?

For an Ocean Park Music Group one-stop song, it will normally be done within 24 hours. If there are outside publishers, or if we need to speak with the band / writers, it can take a little bit longer. In the case of a song with major publishers, it’s at their discretion. Normally we’ll be able to estimate for you on a case by case basis.

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10. Am I charged for a clearance if I don’t wind up using the song?

No. It happens. It’s the same with any label or publisher. You only pay if you use the song.

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11. Can I just go directly to one of your labels to get the songs?

No. Our labels work with us so that (no offense) they don’t have to talk to you. If you go directly to one of our labels to discuss licensing music, they will eventually forward you to us. We say ‘eventually’ because that process can take some time. Time that, we assume, you don’t have to waste.

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12. I own a record label. Can I affiliate myself with Ocean Park Music Group? How do I submit music?
Do you take on composers?

We are not taking on any composers at this time. We do take on new record labels, however, when the correct situations arise. We cannot normally take on individual bands, as the complications of having too many clients becomes… well… complicated. We are looking for record labels with a roster of bands to work with. The best way for you to inquire about this would be to email us information about your label. If you have a website to point us to, great. If not, that’s ok too.
DO NOT simply mail us a random package of your music. It will wind up in the trash, or in a random pile somewhere never to be seen again, or maybe even as a coaster.

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