I wonder if they will track down videographers from 30 years ago? You know, when they would tell the client to bring their favorite music with them for use in the video? 😉 Guys who have retired or out of business? They will only go where they can make the most profit or largest splash to get their name in the paper.

That said, I find it easier to use buyout music. That way you don’t get anyone saying they hate Bon Jovi or Celine Dion and then end up hating your video work because of the music you used. When Joe says people go into the video with already preconceived emotional impact from music, they really do! It can be both good or and/or bad emotional links. But if you offer something fresh and new, and it fits, then you win and so do they. I don’t do weddings but I do sports videos and they also work better when using buyout catalog music. You don’t have to contend with lyrics that say one thing while you are showing a team on the field doing something totally different. lol

I once worked for a company when I was in my early twenties fresh out of college and I stressed the need for buyout catalog (they were a startup company who I had to teach about everything yet I was the “newbie”) and they did buy some serviceable stuff. 10 CDs worth of music. Maybe 100 tracks? That was used (abused) for every production for about 7 years. lol When I started my own business, I bought from the same company (Fresh Music Library) but I have only duplicated three discs from what they used. One was from the original 10 they had used for 7 years – because it was actually useful. The other two were new discs bought shortly before I left at my insistence for something new to work with for a change. But I can still hum those tunes from the original 10 CDs! lol So you do get used to them as part of your soundtrack choices.

I do a lot of sports related videos and I try to find tracks that sound like they could be used in sports videos and NFL films productions. Most people don’t know what they are hearing, but they know when it’s wrong! So the key is like Joe had said, find the right music for the video’s emotional impact. For most things, it’s not that hard. It either works or it doesn’t. You’ll know right away. But for videos like weddings, I have avoided those since before college. Brides are insane! lol You really do need choices of songs like what Joe has presented here. Sounds like U2 but didn’t cost the same as U2 would have. it’s a win win, except for U2, although they didn’t really lose anything in the process.

Yes, the private DVD technically violates copyright as well.

SongFreedom does have some popular songs, but you have to pay for their renewal every year.

Thank you! I am a videographer who is just eyeing the wedding video work, And I think it is something I will love; I already do some video work.
I sure wish there would be a company to sell us rights to these songs that are already popular. I don’t believe BMI deals with this.
Even if I don’t post it, the private DVD would still violate copyright, though, correct?