Music videos for fun and confusion

[Nangleator]

I have a great idea for an animation, which was inspired by a song. I don't really want to do the project if no one will see it, but the song is, of course, intellectual property of a record label.

If I make a great music video and put it up on Youtube, I imagine it will be yanked in no time, and rightly so.

Now, doing the video in the first place is a pretty clear cut application of fair use by way of education. Is showing it on this site arguably for educational purposes?

(Sure, I could probably contact the artist or record label with a finished piece and say, "Do you like?" And if they're just about to start publicizing the song, and if they haven't done any work on it yet, and if they like the creative direction I've chosen, then it would show up on Youtube. I suppose I could also write a best seller and star in a blockbuster movie and live on the moon.)

[flakester]

I recently contacted a record label to ask if I could use one of their artists' songs to put some visuals to; in my own spare time as a speculative idea.
They agreed, but with the proviso that I do not release anything to the public until they have seen it and also presented it to their artist for clearance.

So, I would urge you to contact the label first - they may be more receptive to the idea than you think, and you may be able to show off your work to to some commercial music! Nothing to lose apart fomr your time.

flakester.

[Nangleator]

Ah, the voice of experience! Thanks, I'll do that.