is it illegal to use copyrighted music in a student film? what if it's just for a film school application and won't be released commercially anyway?

If it's for a film school application that should be fine. If it involves money though (somebody paying you for screening your films) or distribution, then you need your own music. Student films can get away with a lot more stuff though, even at film festivals because you can't possibly afford known music and finding good bands and getting synchronazation liscenses, etc. is a pain in the *** of lots of paperwork and lots of fests will cut you slack for the music.

But then again it is a part of the filmmaking process just like editing or shooting, so as soon as you can, it's good to get in the habit of making your own music. Either from programs like Acid Music, Garage Band, etc. or from bands/singers/musicians you can find.

But for now your probably fine. Good luck!

Hop that helped a little.

Yeah, I would suggest you invest some money into a program like Acid Pro or Soundtrack (if you have an Apple). Don't use Garage Band, imho, it sucks.

trust me, you CAN find composers who are really good and will work for free

filmmaking is all about connections, you DO know someone, who knows someone, who is an independent composer who will make great music for you!

"Yeah, I would suggest you invest some money into a program like Acid Pro or Soundtrack (if you have an Apple). Don't use Garage Band, imho, it sucks."

Have you used Soundtrack and GarageBand? Soundtrack was never intended for final music to be used in a movie - it was intended to quickly and cheaply generate rough music to use in early versions of a project. You can only use the samples (loops) - no live instruments.

If you actually play an instrument (which you should if you're composing), GarageBand is much more useful.

I doubt film schools will be impressed if you send a short using copyrighted music. They see enough of that, make your own.

yeah and garage badn in ilife 05 is going to have the capabilty of recording 8 live imputs. Also as you play it shows you the music notations so if you make something on there that you like but want someone else to play it you can show them the music. PLUS if you really want to use loops garage band has a lot of the same loops soundtrack does. So if you have a usb keyboard you can make music. i dont even know whot to play but i can still make music it just takes time and concentration but its worth it because its gonna be YOUR SONG on YOUR MOVIE!