What are the factors that contribute to the typical cost associated
with using a song in a movie?

This may include the possibility of whether the recording studio, whom
has rights over the song, requires payment to use the song, whether
they may even pay a film studio to use it, whether the song has been
released for a certain amount of time, or whether the actual artist
could have influences in its allowed usage.  I have recently began
making my own movies and was wondering whether it may be too expensive
to attain rights to particular songs for use in a movie.  I would like
to know what are the factors that are involved (for example, the
length of time since a song's release that would allow free
access/rights to use it).  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know nearly enough about this topic to provide an answer, but
my understanding is that the business is amazingly idiosyncratic when
it comes to music rights and fees.  Many companies don't even want to
be bothered licensing music for anything other than a Tom Cruise-type
blockbuster film, while other artists/recording companies may be
thrilled to have someone request the use of their music.

Your best bet is to probably not get your heart set on one particular
piece of music, but explore a number of them simultaneously, until a
license comes along at the right price.

Good luck...

pafalafa-ga

There are organizations that are being payed by publishers to find
exaclty who controls the rights for the songs you need. They are free
for you; you just call and ask all the questions you need. They will
do a research and tell you who controls the rights and how much it
costs to use. The price depends on which films you're making (student,
profit, non-profit). Here are the numbers:

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers 212-621-6160
Broadcast Music, Inc 212-586-2000 & 310-659-9109
Society of European Stage Authors and Composers 212-586-3450 & 800-826-9996
Harry Fox Agency 212-370-5330

These sites may guide you ....

http://www.ascap.com/filmtv/faq.html

http://www.discmakers.com/cdrom/preparingyourorder/copyrights.asp

http://www.crtcustomproducts.com/solutions/licenses.html