I thought I should show you a copy of the email(s) I sent Dawn, to get your opinions on this and to keep you in the loop.
Thanks very much, and I'm a big fan of your work.
Steve x
My initial email:
"Hi there!
My name's Steven Shanahan, I'm a short film director from the North-West area of the UK. I contacted Peter Silberman through Twitter, and he forwarded this e-Mail address toward me. Really big fan of The Antlers!
I'm currently in the pre-production stages of creating a brand new drama production, of which I'm very excited about. However, I wish to enquire about using a potential track by The Antlers during the film, and was wondering how to gain permission for it. The song in question is called "The Universe is Going to Catch You" from the album, "In The Attic of the Universe".
Previous work includes a short drama I directed last year named "Double Glazed" and I've recently shot a music video for UK-based band Sonic Boom Six, featured on the Scuzz music channel.
If you can let me know whether this will be possible, that would be really great; the film is being shot in the next week, and it would be really great to use the track from the get-go in the post-production stage. The film should be complete by January.
Thank you very much in advance,
Steven Shanahan"
NB: Links were being funny, so I've added them underneath the email here:
http://vimeo.com/15902858 - Double Glazed
http://vimeo.com/15491835 - Music Video
Dawn's reply:
"Hi Steven -
Sorry for the delay getting back to you. The Antlers are generally pretty open to licensing, so hopefully we can make this work. Could you give me an idea of the rights you're requesting and the budget you have for music?
Thanks,
Dawn"
The email I just sent today:
"Hi Dawn
Not a problem, its taken me a few days as well. Sorry about my delay, also.
The Antlers are a fantastic band, they're music is so atmospheric I'm not surprised to see their music turn up in films and TV shows. The rights I would be requesting are reasonably simple, the ability to use one of their tracks in my latest short film to be released in January. I'd then be entering it into film festivals in the UK, then depending on how you feel about that, possibly internationally also. I would be creating a small number of DVDs for entering into the festivals, and for giving to cast and crew, but they would not go out to the mass public and would not be on sale. After the festival entries had dried up, I would put it on Vimeo, probably around June or July. Not including the possibility winning cash-incentive festivals (which are rare, therefore unlikely) I would earn no money from the Antler's track, or from the film itself. Unfortunately I am a student film maker, and therefore my budget is limited and could not afford to pay The Antler's for the honour of using their music.
I'm aware that some of their music has been licensed beforehand by NBC, but seeing as the track was from the 3-piece "Hospice" album, I am hopeful Peter Silberman performing solo as 'The Antlers' on his 'In The Attic Of The Universe' LP would be open for usage. The track in particular is the wonderful 'The Universe Is Going To Catch You'.
The film itself is a dark moody piece, telling the story of Simon, a middle-aged man who is deeply unsatisfied with his life. He hits breaking point as winter approaches and relationships form around him, to ease the cold. With no where to turn, he seeks solace in a call service, ordering a prostitute. He is directed to a seedy hotel, where he waits. He inspects the room curiously, as he feels himself sink to new lows. A knock at the door. Immediately, he regrets the entire situation and tries to hide, but she is not leaving. He lets her in, only to discover she is a mere girl - fifteen years of age. He panics and demands to know where her parents are, but she remains quiet on the subject. After thoroughly establishing that nothing will happen between them, they relax and develop a father/daughter type bond over the few hours they spend together, as he advises her on life decisions. The subject of sex is raised once more, and they shout abuse at each other until she storms out. In the hallway she breaks her heel, and lets her hair down - becoming a girl again. Simon sadly returns home, and calls his old girlfriend. We discover that he is a father of a young girl, who he has never met before. They arrange a meeting.
The song would be used twice in the film. The beginning intro (before the chorus hits) would be the music bed for the montage when we first meet Simon - waking up, showering, breakfast, as we learn his lonely existence. Later at the very end of the film, during the reveal that he is a father and is talking to his daughter for the first time, the chorus would hit, which would continue to play over the credits.
I'm aware this is a long email, but I thought it was important to try and put as much information into it as possible.
I really hope we can work something out, and thank you very much in advance.
Steve
x"
If you read this, thank you very much, and I hope to hear back from you. Also apologies for the very lame usage of blogger, but I couldn't think of another way to send you this long of a message.
Best regards,
Steve
