Jump to content

Getting promo CDs legitimately


ChuckM
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 27
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Typically, the producers of promos send them out for exactly the reason the name implies -- to promote their work. Directors, studio execs, labels, agencies, journalists ... people involved in the business who can give them work or valued exposure. Members of the Academy (until recently, apparently) get promo score CDs to help them determine their Oscar vote. A few may also be sent out to close friends or professional associates. On occasion, a composer will "have mercy" on a fan he or she finds trustworthy -- but never assume that just because you make personal contact with a composer, they're going to be amenable to the idea! Rarely, a select number of promos will be sold through online retailers to help cover production costs. In this case, studios typically (but not always) choose to "look the other way", so acquiring promos from reputable retailers like SAE or Intrada (when available) may sometimes be considered "legit".

A good rule of thumb is that no promo sold on eBay or in a used CD shop is "legit".

Hope that helps!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some of today's younger film composers seem to have no qualms about bootlegging their own work. Want a complete score CD? Just e-mail the composer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know a few composers that sell their unreleased music on their official sites.

I bought a few Jeff Rona CD's from his website, he made and signed them himself, too bad he screwed up the track listing for one of them.

Chris Tilton posts download links and cover art for a lot of his unreleased music.

Michael Giacchino has various select tracks from a lot of his early unreleased work. The tracks are full-length and can easily be saved to your computer and formed into a home-made compilation. :huh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some of today's younger film composers seem to have no qualms about bootlegging their own work. Want a complete score to Superman Returns? Just e-mail John Ottman.

Is that true?! If it is I'm going to have to do it...and thats pretty awesome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wish all composers did that kinda thing. I would think they would want fans to have their music that unfortunately doesn't find itself to a commercial release.

I really want an official release of Big Trouble by James Newton Howard. I guess it wasn't released due to it not having enough music. At least I have my personal recording of the End Credits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some of today's younger film composers seem to have no qualms about bootlegging their own work. Want a complete score to Superman Returns? Just e-mail John Ottman.

Is that true?! If it is I'm going to have to do it...and thats pretty awesome.

I'm not sure how awesome it is for everyone else involved in the soundtrack process. They don't get any money nor, unlike Ottman, any ego boost from the gift.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When someone like Ottman is nice enough to do that, you don't go blabing on a message board that he did and that all you have to do is e-mail him.

I've gotten a few pressed CDs from David C. Williams (like "Supernova").

Most composers, though, only do CD-Rs. Just in the mail yesterday: Reno911!: Miami (movie score); Craig Wedren.

But then again, some composers aren't really into sharing and/or fans, and cite "legal" rights and stuff (Ron Jones, Steve Dorff, etc.) and you have to wait for some other source 'cause you know Paramount isn't exactly going to make another Star Trek score CD EASY.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But then again, some composers aren't really into sharing and/or fans, and cite "legal" rights and stuff (Ron Jones, Steve Dorff, etc.) and you have to wait for some other source 'cause you know Paramount isn't exactly going to make another Star Trek score CD EASY.

I expect an official ST giacchino CD when the movie comes out... :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But then again, some composers aren't really into sharing and/or fans, and cite "legal" rights and stuff (Ron Jones, Steve Dorff, etc.) and you have to wait for some other source 'cause you know Paramount isn't exactly going to make another Star Trek score CD EASY.

I expect an official ST giacchino CD when the movie comes out... :)

Totally! No brainer!

-Erik-

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Not only young composers sell their own soundtracks, check at the following examples:

- Joe Harnell has many of his CDs available at his site: episodic music of Hulk, V and film compilations of his work

http://www.joeharnell.com/music1.html

- Dennis McCarthy has, among his official soundtracks for sale, 4 composer releases: Sliders TV, Star Trek Borg Videogame, and two of V music.

http://www.dennismccarthy.com/music_store.html

- Richard Band also has official releases and among them, manuscripts autographed by him and two compilation CDs with unreleased music

http://www.richardbandmusic.com/store.html

- Alan Williams has several Composer Promos available at Intrada, Screen Archives.

- Alan Hawkshaw has a CD with his "Music from Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe" TV series

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bigal/p3...rclrk280603.htm

At BuySoundtrax you can find a few of other Composer Promos, among them, Enter the Matrix videogame music.

I'm sure there are other composers who has the same policy. Also, there are composers who release their own label, such as John Scott with JOS Records and now Joel Goldsmith with FreeClyde Music starting with his score for Witchblade TV series. Gorgeous.

If you have more tips, please let us know!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another option for promos are radio stations.

Sometimes they discard or hand out promos to their employees.

I would suggest some etiquette when it comes to promos. Sometimes it's best not to blab where and how you receive them. If you want to do it in private that's fine but if you manage to stumble across one or receive one, discretion can be your ally.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would suggest some etiquette when it comes to promos. Sometimes it's best not to blab where and how you receive them. If you want to do it in private that's fine but if you manage to stumble across one or receive one, discretion can be your ally.

Agreed.

Just to point out that the links that appeared in my post are from official composer's sites and these items are offered to the general public.

Regards

Fernando

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also never go to Buysoundtrax for anything. With their shady business practices, horrible customer service and other things that are going on with them right now (just read some threads on fsm to find out more) I'd advise staying away from them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also never go to Buysoundtrax for anything. With their shady business practices, horrible customer service and other things that are going on with them right now (just read some threads on fsm to find out more) I'd advise staying away from them.

Really? If I knew that before...

I ordered "Without a Clue" which arrived and I'm thankful for that. But, I also ordered "Space 1999" and that didn't arrive. Appears to be back-ordered and I'm trying to get a reply from them. Hopefully, this is just a miscommunication problem...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.