I've given music for a variety of film and video projects. I gave one license for 1$ to a pretty big film company, who signed similar contracts with 8 other composer/musicians. They promised (and ultimately gave) good "exposure" - when their series signed with Playboy. I knew what I was getting into. They didn't have a budget. They were making a series on speculation and my music could be part of that series, if I could give it essentially for free. The series finally was released and played several years after the contract. They made good on their promise and not only gave me (and others) pretty high promo - they used the promo artwork from the album. It was a good deal.

My second contract to license a song and recording was very much the same story. I got almost nothing, but was listed in the credits and the IMDB (film industry database). The film "B" movie, but it was major release and played theaters, went to DVD, plus Amazon video and Netflix.

Both of those projects turned out to be international releases and both gave me a level of industry credit that was worthwhile to me.

After these two - I did three film projects with a documentary film maker, all of which paid me, pretty well and even got me on screen for a few scenes. All three used music I wrote for the films - plus a few traditional pieces.

Each time I worked on these projects I made contacts and built relationship with industry people and each produced new opportunities for future projects.

So - I believe it is worth examining every opportunity to provide music, free or nearly free can be worthwhile.