#24 HOW MUCH DO I GET PAID TO COMPOSE MUSIC?

[@tgriffin5000]

“If you do not value what you do, people aren’t going to value it on your behalf.” Preach, bother!

[@Avergrant]

Thank you for a brilliant expose on the state of music composition and fees today! I wrote and recorded over 300 scores and music cues for Discovery, History and others in the 90's and early 2000's. I kept the publishing and licensed the non-exclusive use in perpetuity for the program they were written for. They were done with the best samples available at the time, and they have continued to generate income of various amounts for over 20 years. That can't happen anymore because all the networks insist on holding the publishing and you retain your writer's share, so 50% of your future income is now in someone else's hands. Streaming is the pits for royalties, and since CD sales and downloads are rapidly disappearing it is getting more difficult to get anything on the back end of projects. Since I have hundreds of pieces in Cubase and Creator (now Logic), I have put together a mac with Leopard on it so I can export those Cubase VST and early Logic projects and redo them with Spitfire samples. I am going to try to get them to libraries, maybe they can still have some legs.

[@mededmoon6265]

Yes, I heard that on the discovery channel in particular that composers are being paid flat fees rather than royalty, or something along those lines. I hope the flat fee is enormous.

[@themusicguyinsydneyaustral7480]

Your last line … killer! I actually laughed out loud. I love your Channel.

[@GenuineHeather]

This is probably the best video I've seen yet on the business side of music scoring. I'm in the U.S. so there are certainly differences, but the basic ideas are the same. I appreciate your candor and willingness to share so much information others seem reluctant to talk about. Fantastic, thank you.

[@fabkid72]

You've just answered about 50 questions I'd wondered about for donkeys years. Thank you! Loving this channel.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Really good of you to do this, particularly as it's quite personal in places.

[@AnybodyButMiogloy]

hi

[@TomasOlivaMusic]

One of the most educational music business video I have ever seen!

[@dudeofficialchannel]

Yes... I am delighted that Christian created this channel. It is very 'real' and quite unusual as such. I also like Junkie XL for similar reasons.

[@jesuslovestoastyaya]

This is the best channel I've accidentally stumbled across recently

[@jppagetoo]

Nobody ever talks HARD money. Actual amounts. Thank you! What do people who do this make and how do they get paid? Important information and yet held in such secretive ways.

[@squareleg5757]

I've been a professional composer since 1987 and can assure you that every word of what Christian says is true. This is an excellent and concise summary. The only thing I would add is the ingredient of Luck. Keep working, do your best every time and if Lady Luck smiles on you then the breaks - and the financial rewards - will come. If they don't then at least you will know that you have always given it your very best shot. But do keep in mind at least a rough business plan and learn the difference between turnover and profit. You do not want to be reduced to selling gear to pay the rent. Keep your debts and outgoings low; hire big bits of kit (or personnel) as you need them. Nice one, Christian. :)

[@dashonedj]

"...And then, I do Richard Hammond's Blast Lab" END 😂

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Genius!

[@codewizard58]

Thankyou! Patron of the arts was not how I envisioned my life turning out, but any idea of making money through performing has now been placed in the "not realistic" bucket. Day job beats 1M subscriber youtubers from what I have seen recently. Sometimes it is just being in the correct place at the correct moment of time. For me it has been 40 years as a software developer with 10 years before that as an electronics hobbyist making pianos, radios, organs and modular stuff. Had I been more business orientated I could have gone in so many other directions. Being generous with what you have has turned out to be key. I volunteered for a computer user group that lead me to getting offered a job in the USA. I supported a kickstarter that lead me to meet Michelle Moog-Kousa. Supporting the Bob Moog Foundation lead me to meet Dina Pearlman of the ARP foundation. The hard thing to learn is that it is not your view of your skill that matters, but other peoples view of your skills. They may value skills that you do not think are important so be open to what others say if you can.

[@Critical-Vibrations]

This was a super informative video...thanks so much for the transparency and thus, true education. After a 25-year career as a photographer, and now getting into sound design, I see lots of parallels: 1)the business side being taught almost zero, when it's the biggest contributor to career success, 2)don't avoid free work, but be conscious about the value, e.g., hold onto licensing rights, 3)simply that sharing business knowledge helps everyone! There always seems to be the idea amongst creative professionals that business knowledge is somehow precious, but sharing it actually preserves best practices and keeps the field thriving for all.

[@OliKember]

Christian, your candour is a beautiful and extremely illuminating thing. Thanks muchly.

[@TheBentwrist]

I think this is a very honest appraisal Christian. Very good. I too, love Farrow & Ball paints and can highly recommend them.

[@SB-dt7in]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge of the business. I wish you a fantastic 2022!

[@weepwow]

These are really inspiring videos for anyone, doing anything. How can one guy be so energetic... You are truly blessed. I was writing jingles for local car dealers, shops, ad agencies etc. back in the 80s-90s, reflecting on it, was happy to get paid anything for them. Then over time, we always want more cash and became more selective over which work we would take on.

Would love to watch you on a new video about "Is it necessary to have solid bases in music theory, to know about scoring and writing for an orchestra, to dream of a composer life?", giving advices based on your experience ! 🙏✨

[@sdutresources123]

Thanks very much for sharing this.

[@jakeyboy2929]

Brilliant video Christian. The music business is very cloak and dagger when career and finance is involved so this is so refreshing and humble to see. If i ever get to where you are then i'd be exactly the same and give as much as i can back to the people climbing the ladder.

[@DJLA]

Absolutely loving these mate! Keep it up :)

[@TheCrowHillCo]

thanks Daniel... this one is a bit waffly but I hate seeing people make the same mistakes I made! I think if people study how talent like HZ have crafted such amazing careers there's a lot to learn.

[@AndyHargraveMusic]

me too! Great videos

[@benedictnichols1539]

Daniel are you the guy Christian mentions? You've reached dizzying heights these last few years!

[@d.1565]

He was talking about Daniel Pemberton. A few tiers up. =)

[@RamonRodgers]

A lot of great things have been happening for me since I've been following you both! I really need you both to keep it up. This kind of information is solid gold to someone starting out and I can't thank you enough.

[@jamesmccarthy4172]

this is the single most useful and interesting video I've ever encountered on KZbin. Top stuff, Christian!

[@0013_music]

Dru Masters here - quite correct Christian, the less I'm paid, the worse I'm treated/respected. It's easier, of course, once you have a reputation and enough PRS rolling in to be able to negotiate or say no. And you can never guess which director is going to be the one who brings in the next great thing, but as you say, there's little chance that you'll go from a small indie movie to a big Hollywood feature, even if the director does fight for you (which they won't because they'll be offered a huge name and will be overruled by the producer or exec).

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Always great to see when I have helped a friend and mightily busy composer procrastinate for 17 minutes. See you back in London tomorrow Dru!

[@0013_music]

Christian Henson Music 17 minutes plus all the other ones that caught my eye in the sidebar. Damn you Henson!

[@infinaneek]

Great insight, Dru (loved your Creative Cribs episode btw!) So how does one go from small indie movies to Hollywood features?

[@0013_music]

Aneek Thapar I'll tell you when I get one!

[@TheWizarddrummer]

Excellent advice Christian, your right about the business plan!

[@Ucontemporary]

Many many thanks for your advice! As a GSMD graduate I def agree when you say that students haven't got a clue on how to deal with the business side of this lovely profession! cheers from Buenos aires!

[@adrianleung6854]

This was all very handy as I'm putting together a budget for aupcoming TV pilot. Thanks Christian.. insightful as always.

[@JordanKilliard]

Really useful stuff Christian. I could listen to you waffle on about this all day! Thank you!

[@ProvineStudios]

Don't know which is clearer; the info or the sky.

[@phoenixrising1576]

Yeah they weren't spraying us that day.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Phoenix Rising - 1. Not one person from the airlines, petrochemical or aviation industries has come forward talking about chemicals in fuel. 2. My cousin works for Rolls Royce Turbines, my father designed aero engines, adding chemicals would radically change burn characteristics. 3. Contrails are high up and something over Scotland might get blown to Russia. 4. Look at footage of WWII American bombers, contrails from their piston engines. Contrails are water molecules frozen in the -30 to -50 degree C temperature of the jet stream. In short, shut the f*ck up you brain dead retard!

[@lucasc5622]

@@phoenixrising1576 put your tinfoil hat back on please

[@MichaelBogaMusic]

Christian you are amazing. Thank you for everything you share and teach us! I like the rawness in your talking, it's refreshing and real!

[@ParadoxLostMusic]

Extremely useful and informative. The young composers I speak to are amazing at music, but have no idea about the business. I'm going to point them all right to this video. Bravo, Christian.

[@JbangX2]

Great information and great channel. Thank you!

[@RyanWhitehead1]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, brother!

[@adamb4519]

Thank you very much for this information Christian!! You are the most original advisor I've ever seen...Please keep doing this...there are many of us out there trying to make a living with music creation and sometimes we feel lost in this jungle.

[@chicnwafflesband]

Excellent advice thanks Christian!.

[@ivo4357]

I have no intention at all writing any music to earn a living from it, as for me I could only write when I feel like it, what I feel like writing, with no one telling me what to do. That would make a hobby feel like work. But I am interested in everything involving orchestral music production, soundtracks in particular, so I learned a lot from this video. Thanks

[@davidlovegrove4237]

Possibly the most helpful video I've seen as a young composer. Thanks so much, Christian!

[@youssefelfassi7131]

This has been such a useful video already. Thank you for the advise; I will get my note book out and keep these tips for years to come!

[@markmurphy5486]

This is simply THE BEST KZbin channel! Thank you!!

[@LeeGee]

Very useful, thank you.

[@MrWorldclassmusician]

Late to this particular party. But thanks. Really insightful.

[@maxtofone]

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts!

[@christophpraxmarer4827]

Great video. Still learning but this is crucial: don't charge to get the gig, charge to build a company, even if you are a one man show.

[@Karmarghhh]

This was bloody brilliant. Thank you Christian!

[@blu02215]

Handyman vs visionary comparison was such a great explanation of two different ways of building career. Being a handyman myself it makes me think a lot... thanks for the video!

[@rene.rodriguez]

Great video. More, please!

[@roundhillmusicoscarrecords6100]

Really enjoying your videos Christian!

[@alexmuli]

I didn't know you did the theme song for Top Gear.Amazing!

[@Lynkevmusic]

thanks so much for making this. well presented, clear and concise.

[@Hungry86]

This is fantastic. Nice work and thanks, Christian.

[@Elerimakesmusic]

Thank you for making this!

[@dudeofficialchannel]

Inspirational discussion. Many thanks to you for opening up.

[@PromoMIAR]

Excellent. Funny Smart and very informative. Thanks Chris. Your vids are cool.

[@HerringSimon]

This is great. Honest and a lot of great information. Thanks.

[@laurenbelec9242]

Thank you Christian, one more subscriber from Montreal !

[@EricTViking]

This is excellent and rare advice, one of the trickiest things in business it to know what to charge. As a businessman myself I would also advise people to never allow an accountant to run your business for you. Listen to what they say, understand it, but *YOU* make the business decisions.

[@Gedagnors]

The quality of your videos and your products - is motivation in a nutshell! Just remembering the fact that someone makes great content and epic products, putting so much energy in everything - even video editing - it is pure magic and it just makes everyone learn more and make better music! And thank you for "Originals Cinematic percussion"! This is exactly what I was searching for so long!

[@imarco75]

Fascinating. Very very interesting. FYI - I bought your soundtrack album to 'Triangle'! So you got at least one sale there :)

[@AndyRobinson1010]

Fantastic, loved it all.

[@DenissPashkevich]

this is so great message. thank you for sharing!

[@simongentry]

seriously appreciate you taking the time to share your experience ! this is EXACTLY the same as a cinematographer's life making a living behind a camera. one's 'eye' is the 'sound' - it's what makes one film stand out (or Netflix originals these days) from another - but ACs, Grips, DITs, Drivers, Equip Rentals etc... must all be included in the budget, as well as rights... used to be called 'negatives' - and NOONE ever sold the negative (or the 2" Studer master tape) - unless made for hire (under contract with a studio/record label). i worked for HBO in the 90s and very quickly realised project based pricing was very good - and meant projects can be individually tweaked based on all the points you're making here - and can be negotiated based on back-end sales percentage, number of viewers, shown nationally/internationally etc... bottom line - as a DP on a film, tv show or youtube show, each is negotiable - nothing is free - everybody needs to be paid. trajectory is everything. ty ps remember when sampling first showed up - oh the mess that first caused.

[@geofftayloruk]

Loving this channel...came via the Rick Beato interview. Great stuff :D)

[@davidmeyer8756]

Thank tou! I've been watching your composer/cribs series, and this popped up. I appreciate your interview style and thank you for this info. Looking forward to watch more in this series.

[@valyogennoff]

Thank you LOADS, Christian! An amazing insight!

[@markdavenport2613]

Very insightful. Lots of food for thought.

[@simonpoole2352]

"Don't shit on your own IMDB page" is my next tattoo.

[@r.pneumo7337]

Hahaha.

[@pyucab]

Absolutely fantastic video. Insightful and engaging. Thank you.

[@SaschaKratzer]

Great Video Christian! That is what starters really need to know!

[@brendanjury3911]

A deep thank you.Could you please do an episode on spotting...thanks so much again you are an inspiration,and thanks so much for the brilliant spitfire instruments.I use them every day.

[@barnabysmith8227]

Really useful video - thanks so much!!

[@tyerac]

Fantastic as always. I'm an ex-pat Brit living in the states and have done a couple of indie feature films (Earned bugger all), some commercials and lots and lots of industrial type stuff (Training video's etc) One thing I have noticed is the corporate training videos usually pay the most up front fee's (forget about performance or mechanical) They tend to use stock music library music, and i've basically found a niche in telling directors and producers that i'll write custom pieces of music for about the same as it would cost to sync the music from one of the online libraries, but they don't own the music, they are essentially getting a more custom version and I keep ownership and right to use again (Unless they purchase an exclusive option, where i can't reuse it, but I still own the rights). The kicker is that a lot of production companies don't know they pay for play, and that $100 "License" to use a track they found online could end up costing them hundreds more depending on scale of viewers (Not always the case but good to show them what can happen). The earning are peanuts in reality to the larger terrestrial earnings, but do enough of them, its a tidy side business bordering on full time endeavor. They key as you so importantly put it is have a fucking business plan. Fingers in pies and all that! Cheers.

[@matthewdekersaintgiraudeau1739]

Super useful! Thanks for this

[@mrjessewatt]

Speaking of royalties.. its royalty week in Australia and I'm down to my last underpants.. please Gods be kind!

[@mehranzand2873]

Thanks foe sharing your experiences

[@nicolasvigh]

Excellent post, thank you!

[@WeAreAllAstronauts]

This is brilliant. Navigating these waters can be tricky so I really appreciate the rare insight. Thank you.

[@Mrjononotbono]

So useful. Thank you!

[@cool555breeze]

"If you do not value what you do, people aren't going to value it on your behalf..." AMEN!!!

[@richdewhittaker1746]

Morning Christian (its still morning here in Bermuda-coffee in hand)... I'm fairly certain that I'm the 'someone' who asked if you might do a 'business side' vlog. This is really excellent and just want to say that I so appreciate your candid honesty...Thank you so much!! .. Cheers For Beers ~Rich

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Thanks Rich, I thought this one was just for you and me, but people seem to be liking it so many beers to you for the suggestion. We're also going to tailor some main channel Spitfire stuff to these very specific kinds of conversations so thanks again. CH

[@richdewhittaker1746]

Gosh...over 4,500 views on this now Christian...am I eligable for royalties on this? ;) ... BeersAbounding ~Rich

[@Maestro-Please]

Can’t believe I’m only now stumbling on this!! This is invaluable insight. Thank you so much!

[@LeeWrathe]

Super video, Christian. Loved the ending too, very funny!

[@ryanbarryaudio]

Loving the videos Christian! Some great advice here for my personal career prospects in composing. Thank you!

[@BlindColour1]

So insightful, brutally honest and engaging to watch. Thanks so much!

[@GprokYB]

Love these too, you're a passionate person and this is inspiring even at 55 years old!!

[@tonyd59]

Fabulous, fabulous advice!! As a mature music graduate with previous experience in the music industry moving into scoring, I am most grateful.

[@RobertJSedky]

Very informative thanks for sharing.

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Brilliant! So much valuable information. Glad to have found your personal channel!

[@d_s_ctube]

Great advice sir. Keep these coming.

[@chriscampbellmtb]

This is awesome. Thank you brother. Also- as a yank, I was happy to learn that there are blue skies in the UK. lol

[@joedubass]

So important, what you said about finding your voice!

[@Kanoppo]

Hi there. I'm a musician composer from Argentina, and i'm just starting out in this area (which has always been the job of my dreams, since i was little). I want to thank you for this video, it was really helpful and inspiring. Hope we get to meet some day. Cheers!

[@DRUMAdam91]

Really great video Christian, very insightful!

[@anthonybarnard3520]

I wish someone told me this ten years ago, awesome! Cheers.

[@37mph]

Helpful channel. Thank you.

[@FrancisMaxino]

Thanks for this, tough I am from New Zealand the same principle would most likely apply to our domestic market and their analogous equivalents.

[@Welcomebacktrotter]

Thank you for this brilliant video and sharing your expertise!

[@frankpleece6052]

This is information I've been looking for, for ages, I did about 4/5 years of music production education and I didn't learn a single thing about business so I felt really lost when I finished, a great help thank you

[@EliteBackingTracks]

Informative and entertaining as always! Keep up the great work! Greetings from Oslo, Norway

[@richiejazz1]

This is great Christian - very informative!

[@beMOTIONdESIGN]

This is unbelievably amazing information! Thank you for this! While I've been writing music pretty much my entire life, I decided to got he Writer/Director/Cinematographer/Editor route. Not really considering a career change, but thought I'd put my music out there to see if I can earn any money off of it, and this is really helpful in knowing what my rights are and in targeting the proper business path to travel down. Thank you for this!

[@andybullemor-music5928]

This video is amazing as I am just starting out in this and getting some work coming my way