So Should We Assume There Will Be No Lestat Cast Album?- Page 3

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 3:42pm

And what would be the point of spending the money/time recording it and not releasing it?

In a case like this where the show is no longer running, the cost of releasing it would just be a waste of money.

Yes, it costs a lot to bring the cast and orchestra in to record the album. But that is not the TOTAL cost of the release.

To release the CD the record company has to pay composer/lyricist fees for every track (and pay these fees quarterly as long as the CD remains in the catalogue: even if it doesn't sell a single unit in that quarter!), fees to the production if they want to use Show poster logo, photos of the cast which also show the costume design and/or set design. They will pay someone to write (hopefully) liner notes and a synopsis. They will have to pay fees to publish the lyrics in the booklet. Then there is the cost of mixing, mastering, pressing. preparing the packaging, promoting the release and cost of sending out free copies to reviewers.

Now, to go to that expense when the disc would sell maybe 2,000 copies makes it cheaper to swallow the cast of the recording sessions and not release the disc.

[HereNowhere]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 5:46pm

Thanks for the info, frontrowcentre!

What are the costs involved in releasing it via iTunes, something like they just did with THE CAPEMAN? Obviously, there are no printing/manufacturing costs, but what kind of difference in cost is that worth?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 6:13pm

You have correctly assumed ( title of thread)

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/4/06 at 12:18pm

Releasing this on I-tunes or some such download service still costs the label. ANY commercially released recording - no matter what format that release takes - requires the lable to pay the royalties. Even if not a single copy is sold or downloaded.

Apparently they need another $25,000. just to complete the mixing and editing.

The argument that Elton John fans will buy it faulty: Elton does not appear on the recording. So the cast members would have to guarantee sales on their own and none of them have that kind of profile.

AT best, the label can hope to sell 5000 to 6000 copies. The ONLY way they could break even on the cost would be to charge $75 - 100 per DL.