How Much Does a Top Composer Like Williams, Shore, Zimmer Make Per Score?

[MikeH 768]

Re: Horner, this was from an article in late March of ‘98.

 

Titanic Composer Sails to Bank
NEW YORK (Variety) - Forget the two Oscars he won for the music to ``Titanic.'' James Horner is creating more of a buzz for a ``Titanic'' soundtrack deal that has the composer homing in on a record payday that may be more than $20 million. Insiders familiar with the deal say it breaks down this way: Horner got an upfront scoring fee of around $800,000. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. He also gets royalty points on the instrumental soundtrack and shares publishing and songwriting fees for the Celine Dion hit ``My Heart Will Go On.'' Sources say the fees mean Horner will earn $1.20 per album -- a rate typical for platinum-selling superstar artists.

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

6 minutes ago, MikeH said:

Re: Horner, this was from an article in late March of ‘98.

 

 

Titanic Composer Sails to Bank
NEW YORK (Variety) - Forget the two Oscars he won for the music to ``Titanic.'' James Horner is creating more of a buzz for a ``Titanic'' soundtrack deal that has the composer homing in on a record payday that may be more than $20 million. Insiders familiar with the deal say it breaks down this way: Horner got an upfront scoring fee of around $800,000. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. He also gets royalty points on the instrumental soundtrack and shares publishing and songwriting fees for the Celine Dion hit ``My Heart Will Go On.'' Sources say the fees mean Horner will earn $1.20 per album -- a rate typical for platinum-selling superstar artists.

Sounds about right... he'd have made about 2 pence from the same number of streams... Obviously a perfectly good upfront fee, although I seem to remember reading that there wasn't the budget for an orchestra for the full score, hence the synths (which are I think are often quite effective, save for the divisive synth choir - would have been better laying Sissel's vocals instead like, erm, Enya...).

[publicist 4,643]

The song royalties probably still pay off handsomely. Afair, big shot composer also get gross points on *their* movies, and since the Marvel era of movies, that's probably a substantial amount even for dreck like ASM 2.

[karelm 2,913]

5 hours ago, Tom Guernsey said:

I still find it slightly surprising there isn't at least one top film composer (Michael Giacchino, for example) who professes to love film music who has come forward as an angel investor for re-recordings. If I'd pulled in several million dollars in film scoring fees, I'd happily stump up for a long list of Tadlow recordings... relative to that kind of money, those re-recordings are cheap, plus you'd make at least some (if not all) of the money back eventually. Would make a fine contribution to helping preserve the art of film music.

 

Back more squarely to the topic, I'm sure I read that JW did some negotiating for Jurassic Park which changed the game when it came to the fees composers were paid, although I can't quite remember how or what it was.

 

Also surprised nobody has mentioned James Horner and Titanic which probably made him more money than everything else he ever wrote (maybe).

What are your sources indicating Giacchino hasn't invested in upcoming risky projects?  I literally attended a seminar with him last week where he introduced the composer he donated his fee and themes for someone getting started to do the score to An American Pickle.  If you don't like the way he funds underfunded projects that is your problem.  I have in fact benefited from how generous he was to young people bringing us on to major projects he was working on.  He has a reputation of hiring those who don't get an opportunity like his recording engineer Dan Wallin on many big projects who wasn't part of the hip crowd and not very fashionable to hire and is now 94.  His team was full of first timers and last timers who were struggling.  He takes a chance on untested people and offered me orchestration, arranging, and conducting opportunities even when I argued against it.  I was very nervous conducting and quite inexperienced and he and his team said go for it and take the chance even when they were over budget and getting considerable pressure to record faster and lower the music budget.   That is the supportive environment he nurtures and it's extremely rare!

[bruce marshall 1,315]

What's your name Karelm?

[karelm 2,913]

12 hours ago, bruce marshall said:

What's your name Karelm?

None of your business, that's my name.  Weird question.

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

14 hours ago, karelm said:

What are your sources indicating Giacchino hasn't invested in upcoming risky projects?  I literally attended a seminar with him last week where he introduced the composer he donated his fee and themes for someone getting started to do the score to An American Pickle.  If you don't like the way he funds underfunded projects that is your problem.  I have in fact benefited from how generous he was to young people bringing us on to major projects he was working on.  He has a reputation of hiring those who don't get an opportunity like his recording engineer Dan Wallin on many big projects who wasn't part of the hip crowd and not very fashionable to hire and is now 94.  His team was full of first timers and last timers who were struggling.  He takes a chance on untested people and offered me orchestration, arranging, and conducting opportunities even when I argued against it.  I was very nervous conducting and quite inexperienced and he and his team said go for it and take the chance even when they were over budget and getting considerable pressure to record faster and lower the music budget.   That is the supportive environment he nurtures and it's extremely rare!

That is nothing at all related to what I was talking about, which was re-recordings, not nurturing new composers, which it's great that he (and others) does. I clearly shouldn't have mentioned any names.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

39 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

That is nothing at all related to what I was talking about, which was re-recordings, not nurturing new composers, which it's great that he (and others) does. I clearly shouldn't have mentioned any names.

 

I understand what you meant and am very perplexed why karelm reacted like you had accused Giacchino of something serious.

[karelm 2,913]

44 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

That is nothing at all related to what I was talking about, which was re-recordings, not nurturing new composers, which it's great that he (and others) does. I clearly shouldn't have mentioned any names.

Ok, I better understand your point now.  Sorry for the rant.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

12 minutes ago, karelm said:

Ok, I better understand your point now.  Sorry for the rant.

 

Although I will say it was cool to read all that about his generosity!

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

5 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

 

I understand what you meant and am very perplexed why karelm reacted like you had accused Giacchino of something serious.

Thanks Stu. I perhaps should have referenced people like George Korngold who (presumably) used some of the contacts and money he inherited from his father to support re-recordings of his father's music.

 

1 minute ago, karelm said:

Ok, I better understand your point now.  Sorry for the rant.

Thanks Karelm. I only really mentioned MG as he's clearly a film music fan, but it wasn't to suggest he was being mean. I guess it's just something I'd have liked to do. I just have this vision of a top composer with money and time who loves doing side projects of re-recording classic scores, just surprised that one hasn't materialised! Great that he's supporting you, good luck.

[GerateWohl 4,365]

Even though I would take more advantage of re-recordings to me it makes perfect sense, that a successful composer rather supports and invests into young composers and their career instead of investing in re-recordings that just make the score fans happy.

 

Since I think, composers rather earn their money with composition assignments and live performances instead of CD or download sells. I would guess the share from the record sells go 90% to the movie production companies that hold the licenses. Isn't it? 

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

OK now I just wish I hadn't said anything... but seriously, I'm not criticising, it was just an observation. Plus, if they are a big film score fan, they might want to hear a personal favourite golden age score brought back to life. Hell, they might enjoy the challenge of conducting it themselves (as Jerry, Joel McNeely, John Debney, Fernando Velasquez etc. have, even if they didn't stump up the money!). Relative to earning a couple of million quid a year, the cost of a re-recording is actually probably relatively marginal and you'd get at least some of your money back. As I say. An observation. Not a criticism. Ugh.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

It's " none of our business" What a " weird question"

[Jay 37,359]

Forum member's real life names are absolutely their private business and nothing they have to share with you or anybody else.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

I asked respectfully, and sincerely- because of his self- described film music experience- and received a childish and insulting reply.

It's done

[Jay 37,359]

At this point it's too late to expect anyone here to take any questions you ask sincerely, as you've been filling our forum with garbage posts for a year now, and take any opportunity you can to insult the members here

 

IE, from just since your most recent ban until present:
 

On 3/17/2021 at 8:49 PM, bruce marshall said:

Aren't you guys too old to be reading HP?

 

On 3/14/2021 at 10:24 PM, bruce marshall said:

Jwfan continues its ignoble descent into irrelevancy😝data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

 

On 3/13/2021 at 3:08 AM, bruce marshall said:

you idiot!

 

On 3/12/2021 at 5:25 PM, bruce marshall said:

I write in a manner appropriate to the reading level of my audience.

In this case, third graders

 

On 3/12/2021 at 5:02 PM, bruce marshall said:

JWFANers are unable to process SARCASM.

 

On 3/10/2021 at 2:15 PM, bruce marshall said:

Jwfan. What a wretched hive of scum, villainy, and bitterness

 

On 3/9/2021 at 1:07 AM, bruce marshall said:

you idiot!

 

On 3/8/2021 at 6:44 PM, bruce marshall said:

You're nuts.

 

On 3/7/2021 at 2:54 PM, bruce marshall said:

shut yet traps

 

On 3/3/2021 at 9:57 PM, bruce marshall said:

This topic is obviously way too intellectual for the cultural illiterates on.this site.

 

On 3/3/2021 at 9:13 PM, bruce marshall said:

Each of you dimwits has two* friends on this board.

 

On 3/3/2021 at 6:52 PM, bruce marshall said:

Oh,  shut up already!

 

On 3/3/2021 at 3:38 AM, bruce marshall said:

Now, Quintus- that's who deserves to be  called a nut job!

 

On 3/3/2021 at 2:19 AM, bruce marshall said:

That's what I love about JWFAN ( Fart...Bitch...Drax)

 

They make hysterical claims without bothering to research the issue they're whining about!

 

On 3/1/2021 at 5:22 AM, bruce marshall said:

I don't read comics.

I'm an adult.

 

On 3/1/2021 at 4:50 AM, bruce marshall said:

You expect SHARK to have a point?!

 

On 3/1/2021 at 1:33 AM, bruce marshall said:

Nowhere in the score fan universe will you find a more reactionary hive than JWFAN.

 

You can't have it both ways, and it's too late to go the other way now unless you start over with a new account and we don't figure it out

[Drew 590]

And his name is John Cena!

[Kasey Kockroach 2,344]

Zimmer makes two notes per score.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

Its not surprising  J defends an obnoxious,

bullying post.Even those directed at posters BESIDES ME ( Tom G.)

He's the master of them.

 

Like Data he is still struggling with the human emotion known as " humor"

 

Btw Jay

I've known many professional musicians, in and out of film. Some , have  even become personal friends. I've found ALL of them to be respectful of me and the public...

You and Karel are the exceptions.

I don't care what you think of ME.

[Jay 37,359]

I wasn't defending anyone, I was pointing out facts.  I have provided no commentary on the posts between Karlem and Tom G, I am only talking about you.

 

You don't see the contradictory nature of you constantly insulting everyone here (and I only included the insults you typed out as text, and none of the image insults because I don't like looking at your potato quality images any more than I have to), then trying to have a serious conversation with someone from here at the same time? 

 

You blew your chance mate. 

 

You showed up here and annoyed everyone and you knew full well what you were doing.  Don't cry now that someone responded to you the way they did.  You asked for it with your entire persona you present to us here.  No one else to blame but yourself

[bruce marshall 1,315]

4 hours ago, Tom Guernsey said:

OK now I just wish I hadn't said anything... but seriously, I'm not criticising, it was just an observation. Plus, if they are a big film score fan, they might want to hear a personal favourite golden age score brought back to life. Hell, they might enjoy the challenge of conducting it themselves (as Jerry, Joel McNeely, John Debney, Fernando Velasquez etc. have, even if they didn't stump up the money!). Relative to earning a couple of million quid a year, the cost of a re-recording is actually probably relatively marginal and you'd get at least some of your money back. As I say. An observation. Not a criticism. Ugh.

You have nothing to apologize for.

In fact, you are owed an apology

9 minutes ago, Jay said:

I wasn't defending anyone, I was pointing out facts.  I have provided no commentary on the posts between Karlem and Tom G, I am only talking about you.

 

You don't see the contradictory nature of you constantly insulting everyone here (and I only included the insults you typed out as text, and none of the image insults because I don't like looking at your potato quality images any more than I have to), then trying to have a serious conversation with someone from here at the same time? 

 

You blew your chance mate. 

 

You showed up here and annoyed everyone and you knew full well what you were doing.  Don't cry now that someone responded to you the way they did.  You asked for it with your entire persona you present to us here.  No one else to blame but yourself

I said I was done with this.

Yet, you persist in extending it.

Some moderator you R.

[Edmilson 7,442]

[bruce marshall 1,315]

46 minutes ago, Jay said:

I wasn't defending anyone, I was pointing out facts.  I have provided no commentary on the posts between Karlem and Tom G, I am only talking about you.

 

You don't see the contradictory nature of you constantly insulting everyone here (and I only included the insults you typed out as text, and none of the image insults because I don't like looking at your potato quality images any more than I have to), then trying to have a serious conversation with someone from here at the same time? 

 

You blew your chance mate. 

 

You showed up here and annoyed everyone and you knew full well what you were doing.  Don't cry now that someone responded to you the way they did.  You asked for it with your entire persona you present to us here.  No one else to blame but yourself

He responded to EVERYONE like that.

You are incapable of being objective. Just like how you ignore the ninety percent of my serious , informed posts as label them as garbage.

You're complete lack of a sense of humour is on you and the rest who cant distinguish insults from humourous banter.

Judging from the many 😅 I get, you're in.the minority.

 

Oh...one more thing-

!

I freely give out COMPLIMENTS!.

I praised YOU for your spreadsheets, I even praised Holko, for his isolated scores.

But, that doesnt count😥

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

 

Early reviews sound promising.

[Jurassic Shark 12,075]

Sounds like a real bore.

[Edmilson 7,442]

Better than Batman v Superman and Alien v Predator!

[Jurassic Shark 12,075]

I'll wait for the Znyder cut!