The Basics of Music Licensing for Films & Commercials: How to Find the Perfect Track for Films & Commercials

Why Music Licensing for Films and Commercials Matters More Than You Think

You’ve done it. You’ve made the perfect film. The lighting is flawless, the actors delivered their lines like Shakespeare reincarnated, and the final scene? Pure cinematic gold. But something’s missing. The music. No big deal, right? Just grab that emotional Coldplay song that makes people cry and slap it over the ending. Boom! The masterpiece is ready!

Wrong.

Because the moment you upload that bad boy, copyright police will descend upon you like seagulls on a French fry. Your video? Muted. Your film? Unusable. Your career? In danger of a lawsuit that could cost more than your car.

Step 1: Realizing You Can’t Steal Music (Even If It’s Perfect for Your Scene)

It happens to everyone. You find the song that makes your scene come alive. You play it over your footage, and suddenly, your indie film feels like an Oscar contender. But unless you have the legal rights to use that song, the only award you’re winning is “Most Likely to Get Sued by Sony Music.”

Here’s the deal: Music isn’t free. Even if you only use 10 seconds. Even if you “give credit.” Even if you “change the pitch so no one notices.” (They will.)

Step 2: Finding Music That Won’t Ruin Your Life

So, what now? You have a few options:

🎵 Royalty-Free Music – Pay once, use forever. Think of it as the Costco of music - bulk options at a decent price.

🎵 Sync Licensing – This is the VIP pass for using existing songs legally. It costs more, but hey, it won’t land you in court.

🎵 Custom Music – The “rich and fancy” option where a composer (like me 😉) makes a track just for you. No copyright drama. No headaches. Just pure, original music.

Step 3: Choosing the Perfect Track Without Losing Your Mind

Let’s say you’re making a commercial for a luxury watch brand. Do you:

A) Use an upbeat ukulele track that sounds like a kids’ cereal ad?

B) Use dark, ominous music that makes the watch feel like it’s haunted?

C) Choose smooth, elegant orchestral music that screams “expensive and worth every penny”?

If you picked C, congratulations! You get marketing. (If you picked A or B… we need to talk.)

Music shapes perception - it can make a cheap product feel luxurious or turn a masterpiece into an awkward mess. So, choose wisely.

Final Notes (Cue Dramatic Soundtrack)

You wouldn’t steal a car. You wouldn’t steal a TV. And you definitely wouldn’t steal a Beyoncé song for your film (unless you enjoy chaos).

If you need a perfectly legal, custom-made, cinematic track that fits your project like a glove, well, reach out to me and let me show you what I can do. 😉