Ok, just want to get all this cleared up.
First off I know that as far as the University radio station goes as long as its only a certain amount of seconds long we are aloud to use licensed music. I dont know if its the same with projects that arent eductational though.
So is that true for independent movies and if so how long. Also as long as its not to make any money is it still illegal to use licensed music? Finally what do most do about getting the music for thier independent films.
Thanks

You can't use any amount of music for a film without permission. The only exceptions are if it's newsworthy, but in a film, that's very difficult to prove for a drama, or if it's for educational use, and then noone can see it (not even people at your school).