How much Money Do You Make From a Trailer Music Placement?

Trailer music is a lucrative industry that offers composers and producers the opportunity to earn a substantial income.

The amount of money you can make with a single music placement in a movie trailer can vary widely and depends on several factors, such as the budget of the production company, the popularity of the franchise, and the target territory.

Generally speaking, the amount of money earned from a music placement in a trailer is typically based on a licensing fee. This fee is a one-time payment that grants the production company the right to use the music in their trailer for a specific period in a specific territory. The music itself can either be 'library music' (pre-existing tracks available for licensing from a music catalog) or 'custom music' (specifically composed for the trailer). While library music offers a quicker turnaround, custom music allows for a more tailored sound and often commands higher fees. However, as with custom trailer music, composers typically only see payment if their work makes it into the final cut

Note: these are typical rates that the music labels charge their clients, the trailer houses. You as the composer recieve the percentage according to the contract with your music publisher (usually it's a 50/50 deal)

Theatrical Trailer

This trailer features custom track of the famous Mission: Impossible theme

The theatrical trailer is the main trailer of a movie. It's the one you see before the actual movie in a cinema. Usually, the license fee includes an all media usage meaning they can publish this trailer online e.g. on YouTube too at no additional cost. Composers can earn from library music about $7.5k - $22.5k, custom created music can range from $15k - $32.5k. 

Trailer TV Spot

As the name already implies, in this license agreement the usage of music is allowed in a TV spot. These trailers usually have fixed length of either 15, 30 or 60 seconds. Library music can make $6k - $12.5k, custom created music can earn $10k - $20k. In addition to that, you earn performance royalties that are collected by your PRO. Unlike a one-time sync fee, performance royalties are ongoing earnings generated each time the TV spot is publicly broadcast, for example, on television networks..

Streaming & Digital Movie Trailer

As the name already suggests, these trailers are made for online-only distribution.

Depending on the specific license agreement, digital movie trailers often include an "all-online-media" usage clause. This means the music can be used across all online platforms and might even cover a defined number of variations of a single trailer, optimized for different social media formats (e.g., vertical video for TikTok, shorter cuts for Instagram stories). The broad reach and continuous accessibility of these trailers contribute to their value.

For library music placements in streaming and digital movie trailers, composers can typically earn $2.5k – $10k. When it comes to custom-created music, the potential earnings range from $7.5k – $24k

Game trailer

Video games are a massive industry, and just like movies, they rely heavily on compelling trailers to generate hype and attract players. While their marketing budgets for individual music placements can sometimes be less than blockbuster films, this isn't always the case, especially for AAA titles or highly anticipated releases. The licensing fees for game trailers can vary based on factors like the game's budget, the developer's reputation, the expected reach of the trailer, and whether the music is used in a global campaign or a more localized promotion.

For library music, composers can typically earn $1k – $5k for a placement. For custom-created music, the range often extends from $3.5k – $6k.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trailer music can be a lucrative field, but it requires hard work and dedication to achieve success. To make a good living as a trailer music composer, it is essential to invest in the right tools, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and continuously improve your craft. By doing so, you can increase your chances of landing high-paying gigs and build a successful career in this exciting and rewarding industry.