Invoice templates for film and TV composers billing production companies for original scores, sync licensing, and session recordings.
A film composer invoice is issued by a professional composer to a film, television, or media production company for original musical scores, sync licensing, studio recording sessions, and related composition services. Film composers create original music that enhances the emotional impact and storytelling of visual media. Composers working in UK film and television are typically members of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) or PRS for Music, through which they receive performing rights royalties when their music is broadcast or screened publicly. The sync fee paid by the production company is a separate, one-time payment for the right to use the music in the production. Film and TV composition is typically a combination of a flat creative fee (for writing and recording the score) and a sync licence fee (for the right to use the music in the production). These are distinct commercial elements that should be invoiced separately.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Short film score (composition fee) | 2500 | project |
| Feature film score (composition fee) | 15000 | project |
| TV series episode score | 2000 | episode |
| Sync licence (feature film, worldwide in perp.) | 5000 | licence |
| Session recording (per studio day) | 800 | day |
| Trailer adaptation or alternate version | 1500 | version |
Film and TV production invoicing is typically milestone-based. For a feature film score, a common structure is: 33% on signing of agreement, 33% on delivery of completed score, 34% on final delivery and acceptance. This spreads payment across the production timeline. For television series, invoice per episode on delivery. Series deals are sometimes negotiated as a flat per-series fee invoiced over the production period. Always retain music publishing rights in your contract. The sync licence fee grants the production company the right to use the music in the production; the publishing rights (which generate royalties via PRS when the film is broadcast) remain with the composer unless explicitly assigned. For advertisements, synchronisation and broadcast rights are priced differently from film and TV. Advertising sync fees vary by campaign reach, territory, and duration. A major UK television advertising campaign can command £10,000 to £50,000+ for sync rights.