I need to use some music for a few videos I am making now, but I feel that real music would set the scene better than trying to make my own or find a local artist... How can I go about using real music without being sued?  I heard I can use only 30 seconds of a song and just credit them in the credits and everything is okay?  Anyone know?

you need permission from the original artists or company

I used small clips of two songs in a flash animation I did earlier this year (by Marilyn Manson and Soundgarden, respectively). I credited the artists in the credits and my teacher didn't mind. And I didn't get sued.
Infact, I won best junior flash animation

^^^

That is nice and all, but I am making a movie that will have thousands of copys... so the chance of the company seeing it is high, any sites or anythign?

will you be selling this thing? If so then I think that's bad.

Otherwise I think it might be okay, because I know of a lot of people and sites that are into making music videos out of clips from shows to music, and I've never heard anything bad about that.

I would credit the artists in your video, but i would also contact the publisher and see what they have to say

I think my partner is meeting with a Lawyer to discuss such matters...

Yes we are selling it, I'll contact you guys when it is done Winter '05

It is our Jersey Devil project "Keeper of the Woods"

Trying to make it not Corny and pretty good for amature film.

You could also try mixing your own music for your video we did that in our media class back in high school

mp3.com has loads of partly great music that is free to be used!

You can use upto 30 seconds as part of fair use, though I am not a lawyer.