Hi,
I am currently working on a film score and am pretty new to this process. The director is a friend, and someone that I fully trust. However, to be safe and official, we both want to draw up contracts. He is also to the process of working with a composer. In that past, he has only made documentaries using existing songs that he licensed.
I am getting a flat fee for this project which would seem to imply a work for hire situation. However, normally in a work for hire, my understanding is that the film makers take over ownership of the material. I would like to be able to further develop some of the material I've written for this film and use it in other contexts, particularly some of the places where this music is more "song" structure than underscoring. In this case, do I need to deal with it more as a license, so that I maintain exclusive rights?
I am truly a newb when it comes to this side of the business, and I know that it is probably a fairly complex and detail-laden question to answer, but would greatly appreciate any insights. Especially since I have poured countless hours into this project, am proud of much of the material, am not getting paid a ton of money, AND see potential for using some of the music in other contexts.
Some more info: The film is an outdoor adventure documentary, will be shown in festivals and sold (mostly) within skiing community as a DVD. Not a big money maker for the film maker, but he does have some sponsorship, and is paying me $2500 for the music.
Many thanks in advance for your insights and wisdom,
Omid