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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

How much does John Williams make?

Discussion in 'Star Wars And Film Music' started by Jedi Bib, Mar 24, 2001.

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  1. Jedi Bib

    Jedi Bib Jedi Grand Master star 6

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    Apr 16, 2000
    Per film? Does anyone know? And what about royalties?
     
  2. Grand Admiral Reese

    Grand Admiral Reese Jedi Knight star 6

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    Sep 1, 1999
    No idea, Bib. But I'd guess that it's no small sum.
     
  3. Jedi Bib

    Jedi Bib Jedi Grand Master star 6

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    Apr 16, 2000
    Thanks Reese. I guess nobody else likes my thread....
     
  4. Erin Kenobi

    Erin Kenobi Jedi Padawan star 4

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    May 30, 2000
    A lot of money I'd guess.
     
  5. Mastadge

    Mastadge Manager Emeritus star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jun 4, 1999
    I've wondered what kinds of money film composers make too, as well as the difference between high-profile names like Williams and relative unknowns.
     
  6. dolphin

    dolphin Chosen One star 5

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    Nov 5, 1999
    Base sum ~ $5-10 million I believe. Somewhere around $7 million.
     
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  7. Sithman

    Sithman Jedi Grand Master star 7

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    Jul 6, 1999
    $7,000,000 to arrange lines and dots in a specific order. Cool. :D

    ~Sithman~
     
  8. emupiett

    emupiett Jedi Youngling star 1

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    Oct 1, 2000
    If you didn't know, he is the highest payed of all film scorers.
     
  9. Grand Admiral Reese

    Grand Admiral Reese Jedi Knight star 6

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    Sep 1, 1999
    Didn't know that, but I'd believe it if someone told me that.
     
  10. Tellesto

    Tellesto Jedi Knight star 5

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    Dec 7, 1999
  11. Jedi Bib

    Jedi Bib Jedi Grand Master star 6

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    Apr 16, 2000
    Cool. I want his job.
     
  12. dolphin

    dolphin Chosen One star 5

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    Nov 5, 1999
    Highest paid of all film scorers?

    I would believe it. No wonder most of his films are big budgeted films. Most budgets can't afford him!
     
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  13. jamesdrax

    jamesdrax Jedi Grand Master star 6

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    Aug 30, 2000
    Greedy composers these days.

    :D
     
  14. Tellesto

    Tellesto Jedi Knight star 5

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    Dec 7, 1999
    Yeah, never about the art.
    ;)
     
  15. bright sith

    bright sith Jedi Knight star 5

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    Aug 27, 1999
    He may be the highest paid composer, but it is very unlikely he'd get 5 to 10 million.
     
  16. Silmarillion

    Silmarillion Manager Emerita/Ex RSA star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jul 20, 1999
    Here's a great article that outlines a lot of your questions:

    http://www.filmtracks.com/special/industry1/


    Interestingly, this is what they say:
    ---
    Overall, in summary, the fees of the composer often look like this:

    Student or apprentice assignments
    (solo performance or band): $5,000 to $10,000

    Low-budget films
    (small ensemble/electronic score): $20,000 to $30,000

    Small or medium-sized films, independent or major studios
    (small orchestra/complex electronics with solo artists): $60,000 to $100,000

    Large, international films
    (regular orchestra, perhaps with small choir or solo artist): $120,000 to $250,000

    Blockbusters by major studios
    (full orchestra, full choir, and solo artists): $300,000 to $400,000
    ---
     
  17. pianoman02045

    pianoman02045 Jedi Youngling star 1

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    Aug 7, 2001
    Well this is an old one but im gonnna post a reply anyways just too say that its very informattive for those people who want to become film composers like me!
     
  18. Wolverine

    Wolverine Jedi Master star 5

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    Dec 17, 1999
    I heard a small composer say that in the beginning they do it vertually for free.
    They need to work to get some money later.
     
  19. DarthSkeptical

    DarthSkeptical Jedi Youngling star 3

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    Aug 19, 2001
    The link Silmarillion gives, above is a great one. Thanks for finding it :)

    Unfortunately, the portion posted gives a misleading picture of things. That speaks of only standard rates for the composition and initial conduction of the work. It in no way represents the total amount of money a composer might make off the work. What's forgotten is risiduals. These are typically greater--sometimes exponentially so--than the figures given. Luckily, the article referenced spells out these royalties and additonal fees towards the end. Based on these, it's clear that Williams easily made at least the $7-10 million figure speculated earlier in this thread. Whether he's the highest-paid composer working is, however, more debatable because of the film that seems to always spoil SW's party, Titanic. Horner's soundtrack was an extremely popular CD, and the movie itself has sold well in the post-theatrical video market. Horner has continued to make royalties with each sale, so the site speculates he might have made as much as $50 million off that one film. That's a record for a single score, and, given Horner's many other films, may put Horner slightly ahead of Williams. Either way, it would seem that Horner and Williams are far and away the best earners in the business, and would continue to generate millions of dollars for years to come--on residuals alone--even if they never composed another note.
     
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