Here are some frequently asked questions:

 

Are you a CD Baby type of business but selling videos from a television channel?

Yes, but the difference is we make the videos/films and share revenue as a percentage of what we actually receive. The television channel airs the films like a radio station building exposure until such time as we make sales through DVDs and downloads. Downloads deliver the clips directly to the home anywhere in the world and the television channel markets the clips as a relaxing television format.

 

Where does LandscapeHD broadcast?

LandscapeHD is not yet broadcasting but has started High Definition production. The Landscape Channel has been broadcasting twenty years in Europe in Standard Definition (see http://www.landscapehd.com/distribution2.html) and all HD films are made in Standard definition for this market, which is continually changing. The new format is expected to start Autumn 2008 so we are making films now in order to be ready for that time. The standard definition version of Landscape is available in a podcast format at http://landscapehd.libsyn.com/rss should you wish to evaluate it and download sales have started as a result of this exposure.
 

What do you pay the artists and film makers?

We pay out 25% of what we receive (the retail price) directly to the music rights owners and 25% to the film/image owners after the cost of either DVD manufacture and distribution (currently £1.95 for a standard definition DVD). Where download takes place this is also after deduction of any Paypal costs. We also pay a nominal $10 synchronisation fee per music track once a music track is approved for production.

 

What formats do you make your films?

We start with High Definition 1920 x 1080 but also make lower quality versions for standard definition and for our growing ipod distribution market (see http://landscapehd.libsyn.com/). High Definition is a future format which we will grow into so films are also made in the lower definition formats so that sales can start now in the traditional video sales markets.

 

What price do you sell your downloads for?

We sell world-wide via download in six currencies. The UK price for an HD clip is £1.50, For iphone £1.20 for ipod £0.99 - this translates to a dollar price of $2.99, $2.49 and $1.89 in the United States. For other currencies please visit the web site at http://www.landscapehd.com/newstore/

 

Does LandscapeHD play films which are owned by other people?

No. The reason for this is we broadcast worldwide and because we work as a minority music format we need worldwide exploitation in order to earn enough money to pay for new films and continue to exist. If you are unable to provide us with world-wide clearance for the rights we require we cannot broadcast your film or music. Please contact us if in doubt.

 

Is the contract exclusive?

No we are not exclusive. You may licence or sell your music or film to anyone else. We only have exclusivity in the film which we make under our contract with you - so the deal is very easy and does not interfere with third parties - we do not need to restrict you in any way in terms of what you might want to use your music or film for in regards to other productions.

 

What does it cost me to have my music made into a Landscape HD film?

Nothing. LandscapeHD pays for worldwide clearances and makes the finished film to your music in either its own production facilities or in the facility of one of its film makers.

 

If I sign the featured artist contract does LandscapeHD have to make any films of the music I send them?

No the contract is one that clears the rights for you to send music to the LandscapeHD library so that the Landscape film makers can choose music if it suits their need. When a track is chosen as being suitable for a Landscape production you will be notified in writing by email, a payment of the synchronisation fee will be made to your paypal account and at that stage LandscapeHD has committed to make a production.

 

How long after LandscapeHD advises me that it wishes to use my film or music will it be before the film is ready to be broadcast?

As a result of the LandscapeHD schedules being created over a long period it is unlikely that a film will be ready for broadcast in less than six months. LandscapeHD production is by its nature a slow process.

 

Does LandscapeHD pay normal performing rights royalties like other radio and television channels?

Yes LandscapeHD is affiliated to the UK's Performing Rights Society and is itself a member with a  publishing catalogue of titles under the name Keeper of the Garden Music, which we exploit as a means of creating music publishing revenue for instrumental music. LandscapeHD offers its service to distributors all over the world who then pay performing royalties to the local performing rights societies, either as a channel or as a programme, who then pay the music copyright owners under the local agreements.

 

Does LandscapeHD take advertising?

Landscape as a television channel has been in existence since 1988 as a broadcast channel and has never taken advertising.  We have found that advertising disrupts the flow of the relaxation element of our channel and because the reason that people watch us is to relax we have to earn our living from selling music and sharing this with our contributors as a business model. We are like a radio station for instrumental music with pictures.

 

Do I have a say in what the LandscapeHD film looks like?

No. Landscape isn't like MTV. We make a film that is right for us. It does not feature the artist and often has no relevance to the title of the music. We make our productions according to our feel for the music and what our directors think works for us. Our viewers know this and trust us to make a film that is sympathetic to the music. We have been doing this for twenty years and believe we know what our viewers will like. Artists who work with Landscape have to trust us to work with them rather like a screenwriter needs to trust the producer without having artistic control.

 

Can I sell the LandscapeHD films myself?

No the films once made belong to LandscapeHD and it is important to control the rights and accounting procedures so that they remain accurate. We will supply you with a link which you can put on your web site and would recommend that you do this to ensure your fans know about the film and have the ability to buy it as part of the marketing of both your music and LandscapeHD as a co-operative marketing tool.

 

Can I play the LandscapeHD film on my web site?

Yes we give you the right to play our films which incorporate your music on your web site but these films must be streamed and not copyable or downloadable. You must make sure that a link is available where your fans can download the film from our servers and you must host any film on your own servers or by getting permission from us to host elsewhere. If In doubt contact us.

 

Can I use the HD version of my film on tour?

Yes we give you the right to use our films which incorporate your music on live tours as a backdrop to your own performance or in interludes before or after performance. We see this as valuable marketing for your music and our channel concept. The only requirement is that a suitable credit is given either in the written programme, preferably with a link to the LandscapeHD web site or a spoken credit live to the audience as information to help build the business for both of us.

 

Where is the contract?

If you are a music contributor it is here.