Film and TV
Remembering Adam Schlesinger, the unparalleled master of pop songs for movies and TV (FastCompany)
The former Fountains of Wayne frontman, who passed away due to coronavirus complications, was the go-to guy for movies that needed convincing hit singles.
AIM announces the winners of its first ever AIM Independent Sync Awards (AIM Sync)
Congratulations to Enhanced Music who won the award for ‘Independent Sync of the Year’, and Emma Middleton who was awarded ‘Music Supervisor of the Year’.
How Netflix’s Self Made Tells First Female Millionaire’s Tale With Eclectic Soundtrack (Variety)
Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, the story of America’s first self-made female millionaire, takes place between 1908 and 1918. But the music, instead of focusing on the early jazz that might be expected, runs the gamut from ragtime to hip-hop.
Behind the Music of the Tiger King (Slate)
The story of Joe Exotic’s songs is so strange that even Netflix’s five-hour documentary doesn’t have room for it.
#WFH Diaries: Music Supervisor David Fisher (Muse by CLIO)
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues apace, we’re checking in with creative industry folks worldwide. Here’s an update from David Fisher, a music supervisor and founder of Songs for Film & T.V.
Top TV Song Last Week: March 1: “Glow” by Tom Tripp | March 26th: “Forever” by Chvrches (Tunefind)
The last few weeks have seen tracks from On My Block and Élite top Tunefind’s popular songs list.
The Music Behind Emma (2020) with Music Supervisor, Becky Bentham (GMS UK & Europe)
This month, we spoke with Music Supervisor, Becky Bentham (Bohemian Rhapsody, Judy, Mamma Mia, Cats) to get a better understanding of her work on the feature film, Emma, and how she worked with the director, Autumn De Wilde to bring Jane Austen’s words to life with music.
Songs For Screens: How Chvrches Scored a Synch Smash in Netflix’s Elite With ‘Forever’ (Variety)
In the first week following the show’s Season 3 premiere, single-week streams for “Forever” soared past 1 million, including a 900% month-over-month increase at Spotify and 500% at Apple Music.
Rude Latin, panic and sexual tension: the art of the TV soundtrack (Guardian)
Whether it’s the hidden naughtiness in Fleabag or the ghosts of the slave trade evoked by Noughts + Crosses, composers discuss the insidious effect television music can have.
Disciplines: Artists & Sync – Solomon Grey (ABC Music)
Reach new audiences, promote your latest release and make money?! Too good to be true? Solomon Grey talk us through their dualistic life as artists and providers of music for synchronisation purposes.
Meek Mill Powers Charm City Kings, Indie Film That Does a Lot With a Small Music Budget (Variety)
The rapper has a supporting role and two songs in the tribute to Baltimore bike culture, which was supposed to play SXSW this week. Producer Caleeb Pinkett discusses the pic’s music choices.
A Discussion with RedFive (GMS UK & Europe)
This month we caught up with music supervisors, Rupert Hollier and David Fish to get a better understanding of their company, RedFive and look into their new partnership with Atlantic Screen Music.
Gaming
“Games don’t need to sound exactly like film scores to be good quality” – Borderlands and Assassin’s Creed’s Jesper Kyd on game music (MCV/DEVELOP)
Every month, we discuss the unique process of making music for video games. This month, we dive into the musical universe of Jesper Kyd, a BAFTA award-winning composer behind games such as Borderlands, Assassin’s Creed and Hitman.
Advertising
Global Gains: Big Sync Music’s New Country Managers in France, Germany and Australia on Providing Data-Driven Music Solutions for Brands (Synchblog)
Big Sync Music’s new country managers in France, Germany and Australia explain how they are helping brands to meet their music needs on a global scale.
Songs for Screens: Paul Carrack on Finding Sync Success With Ace’s ‘How Long,’ 45 Years Later (Variety)
Ace’s “How Long,” a No. 3 hit in 1975 for the British rock band, was the first single to introduce music audiences to the voice of Paul Carrack, who went on to become a vocalist for other influential groups like Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics. And thanks to a buzzy new TV campaign from Amazon’s Prime and Echo Show tablet, Carrack’s first hit is finding a whole new audience.
One Track Mind: Mike Ladman (shots)
Droga5 New York’s Senior Music Supervisor, Mike Ladman, kicks off our new feature in which industry figures create a special playlist for the Isolation Radio Station and answer some probing musical queries.
Business
Songtradr Sacrifices Fees, Giving 100% Of Sync Money To Artists, For A Full Month, In Response To Covid-19 Woes (MBW)
Songtradr founder and CEO Paul Wiltshire has now confirmed that Songtradr will not be taking its usual licensing fees for the next MONTH, and instead passing them on directly to artists.
Industry Insights: The Economics of Production Music (Synchblog)
NewcastStudio recently gathered a group of production music professionals for an Industry Insights roundtable to talk about the value of music, shifts in how they license and how the advent of the gig economy affects music creation and distribution.
BMG Production Music poaches Sony/ATV’s Dan Pounder (Music Week)
BMG has appointed Dan Pounder as co-head of BMG Production Music (BMGPM). Overseeing finance, operations and systems, he will jointly run BMGPM with EVP & global MD John Clifford.
Here Are Some of the Latest — and Most Significant — Sync Music Deals (Digital Music News)
Sync music licensing — the process that allows music to complement visual media, including film, commercials, television, and more —remains a viable opportunity for today’s artists. Here’s a wrap of the biggest sync deals of late.
Production Music Association aims to raise gender parity with new committee (NewcastStudio)
The Production Music Association has formed a new committee focused on increasing female representation in production music and the larger media industry.
BMG Production Music expands into Canada (CMU)
BMG Production Music last week confirmed that it is expanding into Canada, with an operation there jointly overseen by Anna Andrych and Matt Cansick.
New: Coronavirus Sync Resources
Sync Summit’s Sync Cafe
SyncSummit is hosting a Sync Cafe Daily Chat at 1PM ET to bring everyone together during the Coronavirus crisis so we can come together, speak about music, business and life. If you want to take part, just fill out the form below for access.
The Guild of Music Supervisors Canada hosts virtual 1:1 meetings with music supervisors
The Guild of Music Supervisors Canada is offering Canadian musicians the opportunity to virtually meet with Music Supervisors across the country.
BMG Production Music’s Hidden Hit Maker’s Sample Challenge
BMGPM & TELE MUSIC are offering ten producers the chance to feature on a very special compilation album and be rewarded for their creativity. All of BMGPM’s synch income from this project will go on to support other creatives during this difficult time.
New: Tip of the Fortnight
Every fortnight we’ll be featuring a tip from a sync professional. First up here’s a great one from music supervisor Amanda Krieg Thomas:
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