Music Video Grants
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 9:22 am

---

so tell me ..

Steriogram are signed to Capital Records in America, who happen to be one of the largest record companies with the most money.

There music video to walkie-talkie man cost quarter of a million dollars.

How is it, that NZ On Air can justify giving Steriogram a $5000 music video grant to help them out ? - that money is basically enough to buy them few boxes of beers to drink while someone animates there video in comparison to the millions of dollars capital records have to spend on them.

Don't you think an up and coming band might be more deserved of this money ? There are plenty of new NZ bands coming through who need this money to get noticed - ie; Mozelee, Redline, Agent*C, Fourth Member to name a few.

RE: Music Video Grants
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:52 pm

---

It's all to do with commercial air play. They know that Stereogram will be played on the television, so they will give them money. They don't want to fund something that's not going to get played. They're less likely to give bands such as redline, mozelee etc because they don't have as great a history as stereogram.

RE: Music Video Grants
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 11:20 am

---

Steriogram is signed to Capitol Records, not to be confused with NZ's own Capital Recordings.

RE: Music Video Grants
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:09 pm

---

OK, here is my take on it:

There are a few different types of funding available for musicians. The information below is taken from the NZOnAir website, and my comments will be shown in italics.

New Recording Artists

This is where we offer funding to help new bands and new artists with the costs of recording a song for radio.
Objective: To find new artists and new songs that will work on commercial radio. To help new artists to build a commercial radio track record.
Criteria: Potential for commercial radio airplay.

OK, that all sounds fair enough to me. Basically this category is the best foot in for new artists, and some established ones. Most artists selected for this type of funding are new artists, HOWEVER there are some exceptions. Basically they're only going to pick those acts that will achieve maximum airplay.

Music Videos

This is where we offer funding for record companies to help with the costs of producing a music video.
Objective: To fund music videos that will play on music television shows and music television channels and help us get songs played on the radio.
Criteria: New Zealand music. Radio and music television airplay potential.

This makes sence too. Basically you're not going to be approved unless you've got potential. You'll also note that yes, it's for recording companies.

Albums

This is where we offer funding for record companies towards the costs of recording and releasing an album by a New Zealand band or artist with proven commercial radio airplay credentials.

Basically this is funding for recording companies.

Radio Hits

This is where we offer funding to record companies to recover the costs of recording and releasing songs that pick up significant airplay on commercial radio.

Again, it's a recording company thing.

There are a few others, but those are the main ones that are relevant to this discussion.

Now, if you're an independant artist, then you're basically stuck with the first option. After that, you're at the mercy of the NZOnAir panel, who make the decision of who they're going to give funding to. If you're with the recording company, they will generally help to make this easier for you.

Now the panel have a job to do - sort through dozens of applicants and select the ones that will be successful. This is a job just like you and I have - if they don't perform well in their job they will be fired. Keeping that in mind, you'll see why they only make "safe" choices.

So basically, if you're going to go for NZOnAir funding, and you're an independant musician, you'll have to dig REAL deep, make a flawless application and be prepared for disappointment. You're up against a lot of competition.

With that in mind, remember that there are sources for financing projects. The economy in NZ is bouyant at the moment, companies are making huge profits and therefore are (or will be) paying a lot of tax. Businesses hate paying tax, so there is an opportunity there to seek out sponsorship for whatever you're doing.

Sound like a lot of work? It is, but remember they're giving you money!

RE: Music Video Grants
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:25 pm

---

The following quotes were taken from the email sent out to all applicants:





There's so many bands out there wanting support. It's not only the new artists who are being rejected but bands who already have a solid fan base and songs on the radio.

RE: Music Video Grants
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:10 am

---

This is an automatic reply stating that Muzic Bot has closed this thread due to inactivity.

This means that there have been no posts made to this thread for a period of 12 months and the thread has been locked.

Now that this thread is locked, you will not be able to make any further posts to it.