Use of music on TV

[Anne Dunn]

Simon, this is probably a really silly question, but I have been wondering for a while.

I've quite often heard Afro Celts tracks being used as backing music for wildlife programmes, particularly Bill Oddie ones. Do you have any involvement in this, or is it all done by 'music libraries' held by the BBC? Do you know if Bill Oddie chooses his own music for his programmes?

[simon emmerson]

the director/editor/producer or researcher goes: " I know lets try a bit of Afro Celts", they usually don't have to ask unless it's for a film that goes out as the main theme tune or part of a commercial release in Cinemas, then they have to pay for a synchronisation fee from the record company. ACSS music has been used in  Gangs of New York, Stigmata, Hotel Rwanda and other. If it gets used we get a nice big PRS payment 3 to 6 months later. The 1st we here about it is when it's broadcast or by word of mouth. I wasn't aware we were used in any of Bill Oddie's stuff? The last big TV score I did was for the HD Discovery Channel, it was part of the 'Atlas Discovery' series and it was a one and  a half hour long documentary on Brazil. But that was a stand alone writer/composer with Larry Stabbins from my old band Working Week. I love working to picture. Oh yes I also took part in the  BBC 4 Documentary "Why Do Birds Sing". I worked with Richard Evans and we composed some music based on bird song.
 

[Anne Dunn]

I saw that documentary "Why Do Birds Sing".  Fascinating, but it didn't really seem to come to any conclusions.

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

True, but it features some fantastic music - man-made and avine-made!

[Anne Dunn]

Yes indeed, I wish I had recorded it to watch again.

[simon emmerson]

Pilsdon Pen from IV album used at front of this excellent documentary on Gypsies in the 'What Happened Next" series. I Player link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00cgw82

[Anne Dunn]

Thanks Simon, I meant to watch that as it was about East Anglia.
Definitely will now.