BMI - endless waiting for cue sheets to register

[Tripi]

So, I've always had a great relationship with BMI, and this post isn't a problem with them. I'm just going crazy trying to get some cue sheets to show up on my BMI catalog. I've worked on network shows before where the cuesheets pop up a week after they are submitted. I've worked on other things that take a month, sometimes 3 months. I've got two tv movies playing in rotation right now, and it's really bugging me that the cue sheets do not show up on BMI at all. I have a tv show that I finished scoring a year ago that still hasn't shown up. Every time I call the production companies, they swear it has been sent in already.

Anyways - I'm really just trying to figure out when the latest BMI can receive these cue sheets to count for the quarter that the shows aired. I would think that the cue sheet could be entered the day before quarterly distributions..... but I'm not really sure. Any ideas from the Motunationians?

thanks!

tripi

[bralston]

Just call the Film/TV dept here in Los Angeles. Ask to speak with with Doreen Ringer Ross (Vice president of BMI for the Film/TV division)...or if she is not available, one of the assistants in that department. They should be able to expedite the process for stuff that has already aired. They have helped me out with similar situations like you are describing.

I believe I was once told that you have about 3 months (1 quarter) after it first airs to get it registered and tracked. Up to a year if it is a foreign show or broadcast. And if you have specifics about when and where it aired...that can help them look out for it for your account too.

So...just call their Los Angeles office and ask for film and TV and explain...and someone there will help you.

I agree that their cue sheet submission process and entry needs to be addressed and improved. They have a direct computer entry system for cue sheets...but only the big studios have access to it. For other smaller projects, submitting manual sheets or to cuesheets@bmi.com is the only way and things take FOREVER to appear. It is definitely a problem...especially in this computer age where we expect things to be registered and up there quickly.

[Tripi]

Thanks Brian. I know Linda and Doreen here in LA... but I always feel like my petty cue sheet go fetch requests are kind of a burden on their time. I knew Linda's assistant pretty well.... but she left recently. Guess it's time to make another friend over there.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Well if you guys find out who really knows how to manage cue sheets I'd love to know. There are a few duplicate titles in my rep @ BMI and it is causing me no end of headaches. 25 minute bgr cues are paying at 2.5 seconds. I've been to BMI in NY (in person) as well as calling BMI in LA but no one seems to be able to delete or change the errant cue sheets. <sigh>

At least the live classical stuff is reasonably in order, but I get the BMI anxiety stress illness every 3 months now every time something that airs doesn't show up - again. I have the same impression that my measly little shows (mostly in Europe, BTW) don't make a big enough profit for them the care over at BMI.