Film and TV
The Story Behind Jennifer Lopez’s Hustlers Pole Dance to Fiona Apple (Rolling Stone)
When Hustlers premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last week, Lopez’s grand performance as veteran stripper Ramona focused on a scene where she’s introduced to the audience through a sultry, intense pole dance to Fiona Apple’s “Criminal.”
Stalking Janet Jackson, and Other Stories Behind the Hustlers Soundtrack (Vulture)
According to music supervisor Jason Markey, the licensing for Janet Jackson’s “Control” came down to the wire. When I spoke to him a few weeks before the film’s premiere, he told me he was “sweating, to be honest.”
Creative Arts Emmy Awards: Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, Mrs. Maisel Win Big (Variety)
Congratulations to music supervisors Robin Urdang, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino!
Songs for Screens: How Freya Ridings’ “Lost Without You” Became 2019’s Big Synch Power Ballad (Variety)
To date, the song has been synched 16 times for TV and film, including high-profile placements in ABC’s American Idol and Grey’s Anatomy, Freeform’s Shadowhunters and The CW’s Legacies, each prompting spikes in Shazams ranging from 10,000 to nearly 40,000.
Top Boy soundtrack to feature Drake, Dave, Little Simz and more (Crack Magazine)
Stars of the show Dave and Little Simz feature on the soundtrack, along with Headie One, Popcaan, AJ Tracey, M Huncho, Fredo, Avelino and more.
On TV, country is the soundtrack to the American dream (LA Times)
As Ken Burns’ latest mega-documentary Country Music shows, country might have come out of the hollers and cotton fields and dusty plains, but it was shaped by records and radio, movies and television.
Musings from a London Fashion Week Music Supervisor (Synchblog)
Music consultant Dave Chase was the global Director of Music at Burberry until 2018. Here he reflects on his time as a fashion show music supervisor.
Film and TV Composer Spotlight: John Lunn (Pop Disciple)
Imposing two-time Emmy winning composer speaks on how his iconic main title theme shaped the musical vernacular of Downton Abbey, re-examining his scores from all six seasons to prepare for the long-anticipated Downton Abbey: The Movie & more.
The Hardest Song I Ever Chased (Vulture)
Vulture chats with music supervisors who’ve worked on some of the most acclaimed movies and television series in the past three decades to hear about the toughest gigs in their careers.
Led Zeppelin Was So Moved by The Friend, They Cut a Rare Deal to Include Its Songs in the Film (IndieWire)
The Zeppelin team, including frontman Robert Plant, were so moved that they cut a back-end deal with the production that would allow the film to include the songs without paying an extraordinary amount up front.
Euphoria Scores 5 of 10 Spots on Top TV Songs Chart, Led by Labrinth & Zendaya (Billboard)
Euphoria fever spreads to the charts, as the rookie HBO drama dots The Hollywood Reporter’s Top TV Songs chart, powered by Tunefind, for August 2019, led by Labrinth and Zendaya’s “All for Us” at No. 1.
How TV’s Music Supervisors Make Your Favorite Moments Pop Through Song (Fortune)
The music supervisors for Fosse/Verdon, Better Call Saul, and Russian Doll talk about their craft.
Toronto Turns Up the Volume on Women Film Composers (Variety)
The conversation about gender disparity in film—which tends to crescendo around big festivals and awards season—got some fresh intel last year when a University of Southern California study, looking at the 100 top films of each year from 2007 to 2017, revealed that only 16 women worked as composers in those films.
Top Composers’ Org to Begin Hosting Annual Film and TV Music Awards (Variety)
A new group of music awards is joining the various other ceremonies honoring achievements in visual media: the inaugural SCL Awards, presented by composers and songwriters to their fellow music-makers, will be held on Jan. 7, 2020.
Top TV Song Last Week: September 12th – “Lost Without You” by Freya Ridings | September 19th – “Out of Touch” by CUT_ (Tunefind)
The last two weeks have seen tracks from Starz series Power and Netflix’s teen thriller Élite top the popular songs list.
Your favorite TV shows’ best musical moments, explained (LA Times)
The creative forces behind five noteworthy series returning this fall talk about their favorite musical moments.
Gaming
FIFA 20 Soundtrack Features J Balvin, Major Lazer, Anderson .Paak, Disclosure, Alison Wonderland & More: Listen (Billboard)
More than 110 tracks from artists representing over 20 countries will be heard on the two soundtracks of FIFA 20’s traditional and Volta modes when the game is released on Sept. 27.
Cuphead has the first video game soundtrack to hit number 1 on Billboard’s Jazz charts (GamesRadar)
For the first time ever, a video game soundtrack has hit the coveted number 1 spot on Billboard’s Jazz charts, and it’s none other than the double-album re-release of last year’s soundtrack, Selected Tunes from Cuphead.
Jun Senoue on Creating Music for Team Sonic Racing and the Future of Video Gaming (Billboard)
It’s been over two decades since Sonic made his name as the fastest hedgehog around, and for much of that time Crush 40’s songwriter and guitarist Jun Senoue has been a key figure at SEGA in charge of creating the sounds behind the popular blue speed demon.
Game Music and Empathy: How Game Composers Can Enhance Virtual Presence (Pt. 3) (Gamasutra)
Game composer Winifred Phillips explains how to best develop the psychological attachment necessary to most effectively achieve Virtual Presence.
The Convergence of Music & Esports: Industry Pros Weigh in on Opportunities, Trends & What’s in Store for the Future (Part 1) (Synchblog)
We delve deep into the convergence of music and esports and ask professionals from both industries for their insight into the future of these types of partnerships.
Advertising
How Sonic Branding Is Helping Companies Get Heard in the Voice Computing Age (Fortune)
In recent months, more media and advertising agencies and publishers have begun jumping into the game.
Swizz Beatz Helps Bacardi Mix the Sound of Rum Cocktails Into Music (Muse by CLIO)
Hip-hop artist Swizz Beatz served as executive producer on “The Sound of Rum,” working with AMV BBDO in London. It’s part of Bacardi’s larger “Do What Moves You” platform, which recently let users remix “Make It Hot,” a branded track from Major Lazer and Anitta, via YouTube’s “fast-forward” functionality.
Smartwater Made Four Ambient Soundtracks to Boost Your Wellness (Muse by CLIO)
Anomaly devised the “Smartbeats” campaign, Cornerstone oversaw music development, and Endel provided the audio-tech platform. Producer Toro y Moi recorded contributions from four artists—Washed Out, Empress Of, Nosaj Thing and Madeline Kenney.
Business
Guild of Music Supervisors President: ‘The Economics of the Job Don’t Work Anymore’ (Variety)
Variety talked to outgoing GMS President Thomas Golubic about the wins and challenges he’s faced as a for-hire supervisor and leader (Joel C. High takes over the top spot this month) to scores of professionals who put music to picture.
Kobalt Hires Sebastien Cayla As Director Of Synch And Brand Partnerships, France & Belgium (MBW)
Based in Paris, Cayla will oversee sync and brand partnerships within the territory for Kobalt & AWAL.
Production Music Association’s Morgan McKnight on This Year’s Conference and Trends in This Billion Dollar Sector (Synchblog)
We chat to the Production Music Association’s Executive Director Morgan McKnight about the upcoming Production Music Conference and trends and areas of growth in the sector.
‘Growing swiftly’: John Clifford takes top production role at BMG (Music Week)
Based in London, Clifford will report to BMG CFO Maximilian Dressendorfer, who oversees BMGPM’s provision of music services across the broadcast, film, games and advertising industries.
Killer Tracks Rebrands as Universal Production Music (Variety)
Killer Tracks, which in 2019 celebrates 30 years in the business, has rebranded as Universal Production Music (UPM). UPM creates, produces and licenses music for use in film, television, advertising, broadcast and other media.
BMG Production Music Appoints New MDs In UK, Benelux (MBW)
BMG Production Music has promoted senior management executives Scott Doran and Paul Gulmans. Doran succeeds John Clifford in running BMGPM’s UK business as he is appointed Managing Director BMGPM UK. Gulmans moves into a new combined role, Managing Director Benelux & VP Int’l Business Development.
Syncs’ Influence, Streaming’s Global Reach Discussed at the Music Finance Forum (Billboard)
Even in the modern streaming era, syncs are still helping break acts, according to music executives speaking at the Music Finance Forum presented by Winston Baker held last week in Los Angeles.
Jobs
Sync and Licensing Coordinator – Cooking Vinyl (London)
Leading independent record label and publishing company Cooking Vinyl is seeking a Sync and Licensing Coordinator to join their team in West London and play a key role in continued global growth.
Production Music Library Supervisor – Banijay UK (London)
This post is within Banijay UK’s Music Department, working alongside the Head of Music, Music Supervisor, Coordinator and the Publishing Manager.
Sync and Promotions Manager – Sauce Music (London)
Sauce Music are looking for a bright, outgoing person with outstanding people skills to be based in the heart of Bermondsey (near London Bridge).
For more positions check out our music industry jobs board. To post a listing for free get in touch at jobsboard@synchtank.com.
Events
Production Music Conference – September 23rd – 26th (Los Angeles)
The PMA’s Production Music Conference is back for our sixth year! Join us on September 23rd through 26th, 2019 in Hollywood, CA, where industry leaders in the production music industry will join forces for a day of panels, learning, and networking.
Music for Screens Summit – October 29th (Los Angeles)
Variety’s Music for Screens Summit hosts the creators and greenlighters behind the entertainment offerings at the intersection of music and visual media. Over 50 industry leaders converge to discuss the changing landscape of screen scoring for TV, film, video games and more.
A2IM SynchUp – October 30th (Los Angeles)
This day will be rich with networking, panels, discussions, and one-on-one meetings. Attended by music supervisors, independent record labels, publishers, DSPs and more, this is a premier private music industry event.
Don’t forget to consult our List of Key Worldwide Music Industry & Sync Events for more conferences.
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