Clearing Music for a Student Film: Do You Really Need To?
If you’re making a student film and thinking about using a piece of music you didn’t create, you might be wondering: Do I really need to license it?
The Short Answer: It Depends.
If your film is only going to be shown in the classroom as part of an assignment, you're likely covered under educational fair use, and you don’t need to license the music. No commercial plans? Not planning to share it publicly? You’re probably fine.
But the moment your film leaves the classroom—say, you're submitting it to film festivals, uploading it to YouTube or Vimeo, or considering distribution down the line—you’re in a different ballgame. In those cases, you do need to clear the music.
What "Clearing Music" Actually Means
Clearing music involves getting permission for two separate rights:
Publishing Rights – This covers the underlying composition (melody, lyrics). You get this from the songwriter or their publisher.
Master Rights – This covers the actual sound recording. You get this from the performer or their record label.
If you're using a well-known track, you’ll need to reach out to both the publisher and the label. If it's independent music, sometimes it’s the same person.
What to Include in Your Request
When asking for permission, be clear and concise. Your request should include:
The name of your film
The title of the song and who wrote or performed it
A brief description of how you’re using the music (e.g., background, vocal, visual vocal)
The timing and scene where it appears
The rights you’re requesting (e.g., just for festival screenings or online streaming too)
A suggested student film fee (usually $75–$100 per side is fair)
Your name and contact information
Most rights holders are open to negotiating when they know it's a non-commercial student project—especially if you present yourself professionally and clearly.
Why Bother If You Don’t Have To?
Even if you're not required to license music for a school project, doing so is a great way to learn the ropes of rights clearance. You’ll be ahead of the game when your next project—maybe even your first big feature—comes around.
And hey, history has shown that even student films can end up with wider release. Just ask David Lynch.