by Tamera H. Bennett
posted July 8, 2008
I love it when the value of a great song keeps shining through. “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” and “It Only Takes a Moment,” two songs from the 50 year-old HELLO DOLLY musical, are integral musical works in the Pixer film WALL-E.
The two tunes play repeatedly throughout the film, supplementing Thomas Newman’s score along with songs by Louis Armstrong (”La Vie En Rose”) and Peter Gabriel (”Down to Earth”).
Pixer would have secured synchronization rights from Herman’s publisher Edwin H. Morris & Co. Inc. administered by MPL Music Publishing Inc. for use of the two songs. Synchronization fees are based on numerous factors, but prominence within the film is key to increasing the fee …. such as using the song in the opening or closing credits. Because the two songs are used as the “underpinning” of the film, I would estimate the sync fee would fall at the low end of $40,000 per tune and could have exceeded $80,000 per song.
Jerry Herman has been writing hit songs for more than 50 years. Here is a link to his song catalog. If the link does not work, go to www.ascap.com and enter the ACE Search system.
2 responses so far ↓
Danny // July 21, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I wonder… does Jerry Herman also get points on the film? Or is the synchronization fee a one-time fee?
ipandentertainmentlaw // July 21, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Danny,
Good question. Herman may receive some backend sync royalties which are typically based on profit milestones of the film.
Keep in mind he will always receive his share of public performance royalties once the film is released for broadcast, ie, pay for view, cable, network tv.
Tamera Bennett
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