Pay the writer - relevant rant

Watch this:

Harlan Ellison -- Pay the Writer

Harlan Ellison is a word-writer of short-stories, essays, etc...most often associated with writing for TV. BUT....listening closely to what the man is saying, it applies to musicians and composers as well.

We possess a valuable commodity to 'them'...and deserve fair compensation for our work.

Anyway....watch it.

*warning - video does contain some 'strong' language, which may be offensive to some younger viewers. Parental discretion is advised.*

This reminds me of what I learned in history class years ago. Mexicans immigrated to the U.S. during the war, and when soldiers would come home from battle, they'd be out of a job because the immigrants worked for dirt.

Ah, gotta love America.

On another note, China seems to be producing mass quantaties of junk and everybody is getting paid the same. Now look how they're improving.

In my opinion the American system of business is closest to perfect, no matter how many people degrade it. I love America. Laissez faire all the way! (but I am glad the government puts minimal restrictions on pay.)

This lesson of course relates to the business of music. From what I see, so many people complain about how high some composers get paid for a music score for film... such as how much James Horner was paid for scoring "the Titanic." These types of issues and the issues from the youtube video demonstrate great strain for the middle man.

If this type of thing happens repeatedly, I recommend looking for a better, more fair-paying job before being shoved into a deeper hole.

On a general note, great video! He's a funny guy!

Although as you've said, everything is true! I'm no where near getting paid for composing, but I can imagine it's highly annoying when you write something, that has taken a lot of time and effort and someone basically "steals" it, and you gain nothing from it.

Another thing; I'm from the UK, but I took a trip over the pond to New York and then down towards Annapolis, Boltimore [saw baseball game, woo]. Anyway, I'm with you - I love America! First chance I get, I'm over there xD

but I can imagine it's highly annoying when you write something, that has taken a lot of time and effort and someone basically "steals" it, and you gain nothing from it.

Agreed. Though there has to be some sort of counter attack for this, for the creator of the piece is the only one truly worthy of composing it. And by this, the original composer under most circumstances will make the better version given not too little or too much time to do so, along with the other thief competetors. For some reason this topic is giving me de ja vu.

Anyways, if you should create a great work of music, before letting anyone hear it, make a back up plan. Instead, post the backup plan on the internet and see what people have to say about it. The true form of your work will be kept safe.

I'm of the opinion art should be free. I worked in other stuff to earn moneys to go with this. Nevermind the whole creative commons movement to help distribute stuff to more people and reach bigger audiences without all the nonsense in between.

I'm not interested in whichever system mankind has made to enslave themselves this time around, and thus I'm for keeping the soul-improving things like art and such away from the system that only works to cheapen everything and mass-produce it for a profit.

Like I usually say, you can always wash dishes. At least critique is more objective in the dish-washing field.

So, according to you SSC, someone who dedicates his WHOLE LIFE into music, 20+ years of studying and caring about music, and screw rewarding, will have to wash dishes to live his family? Just an example really...

I mean, people usually decide to become experts to one field. It's not easy today to know a lot of things. You need other people to care for you. Doctors, nurses, teachers, musicians, etc. So if one concetrates on 1 subject later on, chances are that he will become what people call "a pro". Simple as that.

I'm of the opinion art should be free. I worked in other stuff to earn moneys to go with this. Nevermind the whole creative commons movement to help distribute stuff to more people and reach bigger audiences without all the nonsense in between.

I'm not interested in whichever system mankind has made to enslave themselves this time around, and thus I'm for keeping the soul-improving things like art and such away from the system that only works to cheapen everything and mass-produce it for a profit.

Like I usually say, you can always wash dishes. At least critique is more objective in the dish-washing field.

I completely agree! And we'll leave it at that. ;)