This info is based on information from FSM daily articles of the past and other sources if anyone has more accurate info, please post

As I understand it, The limited release “thing” is based on the total number of pressings the releasing label can press under the agreement that they have with the owner of music.

The reason that this is done is to lower the reuse fees make a release viable. For example, take Omega Man (These numbers are just estimates, I don’t know the actual ones. Anyone with better knowledge should post to clear things up).

If you buy Omega Man in Blocks of 15 minutes (The usual way for a general release) at, say 25,000 dollars per block (This number changes based on the number of players in the orchestra. Fewer players lowers the cost more players, plus a choir raise the cost), it would cost 75,000 just to pay AFM and the studio. This would not include any legal fees that might be generated to secure the rights or due diligence. It also doesn’t include actual production costs or the amount paid to the writers for any liner notes or graphic processing. Let’s not forget mixing and audio restoration. Let’s say that all the extras end up costing about 15,000. So the total cost for a general release comes in at about $90,000.

If FSM paid this, they could press as many as they wanted, for as long as they wanted. They could sell the rights to another label press more if they wanted. Assuming a wholesale price of 10.00 (This is probably too high, 5.00 is probably closer), to break even they would have to sell 9000 copies.

It seems FSM could only lose money. Of course, you could buy less music and lower the reuse fees (Varese does this) but then people complain about lack of completeness and how the best cues are missing. Besides, you want to create a definitive edition that will please score collectors and fans of the movie.

In pursuing a Limited Release, you are agreeing to handle the music in very specific manner. You agree to purchase the rights to produce a limited number of CDs. The actual amount can vary based on how much you pay, but in general 3000 seems to be the preferred number. You are paying drastically reduced re-use fees. Each deal must be negotiated separately with each releasing studio. You can only use this method if a score is over a certain age, 25 years I think.

You may only pay 20,000 to secure the rights to Omega Man. The production amount doesn’t change much, so the entire expense is around 35000 to produce 3000 CDs. If FSM sells 1750 of its run it will break even. This is a much smaller nut to crack than 9000. (I would point out that very few releases have sold out the 3000 copy runs. Even at a lower price, I don’t think these titles could sell 9-10000 copies)

If FSM sells out, as in the case of Omega Man, then if they want to print more they have to back to the studio and purchase the reuse rights, the full reuse rights, outright in the same way as a general release.

It seems to me that if only a general release will do than many older scores that are unlikely to sell 10000 units will never be released or released in truncated forms. A limited release allows these scores who could never sell enough units to break even or make money to be released to the fans and collectors who provide the core of those interested in score releases for older films (Older being 10 years or more).

Out of hand? Absolutely not!

:-)

Well worked out, and clearly stated.

quote:

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Originally posted by JJH:
what we need ia a film collector BILLIONAIRE; a person for whom money is no object in terms of music!

:-)

NP -- [b]Vertigo, Herrmann[/B]

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I think we have a few of those over on Ebay right now buying up copies of OMEGA MAN. One for $577.00. The other for $636.00. The buyer of the first has two more bids for over $100 on two more copies.