If you're 16 years old and making an amateur movie, do you need to pay copyright to use songs in it?

Question

If so, is it expensive, and how do you go about it?

what if you're entering it in a film festival or competition?

Answer 1

This is a problem-- people want to use popular music in their "amateur" projects but don't want to pay the licensing fee. Yes, you do need to get a license if this thing is going to be shown in public. Yes it can be expensive.
Music studios have copyright clearance centers that you can contact, if you know the particular copyright holder of the music.
http://www.sonybmg.com/ has a "contact us" page where you can call. Sometimes individual artists or labels will allow you to use the music for a nominal or small fee when you're an amateur and not selling the movie for profit.

You may also be able to acquire a license through ASCAP, BMI and Sesac, the three major licensing organizations. I saw TV, Radio and Internet licenses available; I dunno about film.
http://www.ascap.com/licensing/

Answer 2

I don't know the cost, but yes you should pay the copyright fee. What if you win the competition, and your movie hits it big? (Look at Blair Witch Project, that started out as a college amateur movie!).

Answer 3

No, you don't need to pay a copyright fee, even if it is for a film festival. There's this one daycare center around the corner of my house that has mickey mouse, winnie the pooh, 101 dalmations and other liscence characters that they didn't get permission to use, but they've never gotten into any trouble (the daycare center has been around for almost 10 years). Alot of people do it everyday in America. So trust me, you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 4

If the movie is intended for broadcast or showing for money, yes. Home amateur movies don't count.