Filming musician playing music in documentary

[Wassdeet]

CA

I am considering doing a 1 hour documentary on a Sax player with MS and besides interviews I would like to film him on stage. He plays old standards and blues but I am wary that if put into the doc it could be considered illegal?

 

[quincy]

CA

I am considering doing a 1 hour documentary on a Sax player with MS and besides interviews I would like to film him on stage. He plays old standards and blues but I am wary that if put into the doc it could be considered illegal?

To use rights-protected music in your film, you must have the proper licenses. For information on licensing, to start with you can contact the film and television divisions of the performing rights societies - ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.

Good luck with your documentary. It sounds interesting.

 

[FlyingRon]

The PRO's (ASCAP, et al) are only part of the licensing you need for this. There are companies called music clearance that will research and secure the rights for you. Unfortunately for producing music in television, stage, or cinema, there are not any compulsory or even commonly available blanket licenses for you.