Summary

Sync Licensing for Indie Songwriters

Chris SD, who runs Sync Songwriter, explained his background as a music producer and his journey into sync licensing, which connects indie songwriters with TV and film music supervisors. He described how sync licensing offers significant opportunities for exposure and financial rewards, citing examples like placing songs in the Oscar-winning film Anora. Chris emphasized the importance of connecting indie artists with the right people to get their music heard, which led him to create Sync Songwriter, highlighting its success in securing sync placements for artists over the years.

Authentic Songwriting for Sync Opportunities

Chris explained his company's approach to connecting indie songwriters with TV, film, and advertising professionals, emphasizing the importance of authentic songwriting over writing specifically for sync placements. He highlighted that while some songwriters target the sync market, true authenticity resonates more with music supervisors who value heartfelt, emotionally-driven music. Bjorgvin discussed the evolution from A&R roles at labels to music supervision in entertainment, noting the greater opportunities and financial benefits in the entertainment industry compared to traditional music business roles.

Music Supervisors: Indie Artists' Gateway

Chris explained the role of music supervisors as the new A&R, highlighting their significance in securing sync placements that can lead to increased exposure and fan base for indie artists. He contrasted music supervisors with traditional paths like music libraries and sync agents, emphasizing that supervisors offer a more personalized and effective way for indie songwriters to get noticed in the crowded music industry. Chris also shared his experience of building a network of trusted music supervisors over many years, offering a shortcut for indie artists to gain exposure and opportunities in the film and TV industry.

Indie Artists' Sync Licensing Opportunities

Chris explains that while major label artists are preferred by studios for sync licensing due to cost, indie artists can still secure placements through music supervisors who appreciate diverse music. He emphasizes that age, location, and social media following do not matter in sync opportunities, as music supervisors focus solely on the song quality.

Indie Music Licensing Demand

Chris explained that indie musicians are in high demand for licensing music in shows, movies, and ads because licensing companies prefer supporting obscure artists rather than established ones. He contrasted this with the traditional music industry, which focuses on artists with existing fan bases. Chris emphasized that licensing companies care more about the quality of the music and the ease of working with the artist than their fame or social following.

Genius Zone Strategy for Music

Chris advised Bjorgvin to focus on their "genius zone" and do what they do best, emphasizing authenticity and passion. He suggested siloing different music genres to target specific opportunities effectively. Chris also clarified that songwriters don't need to modify their songs for sync; instead, editors are responsible for adapting the music to fit the scene.

Sync Licensing and Metadata Basics

Chris explained the importance of providing instrumental versions and stems for sync licensing, emphasizing that editors often use these to seamlessly integrate music with visuals. He clarified that stems are submixes of individual instruments, not multitrack files, and that MP3s, not WAV files, are the standard currency in the sync industry. Chris also discussed the significance of metadata in MP3 files for song categorization and retrieval, noting that supervisors often store tracks for future use before licensing them for specific projects.

Sync Licensing and Metadata Essentials

Chris explained the importance of metadata in sync licensing, emphasizing the need for accurate contact information to facilitate communication with music supervisors. He discussed rights management for multiple songwriters, highlighting the role of a "one-stop" person who can represent all writers and streamline the licensing process. Chris also clarified that sync contracts are typically straightforward and do not require legal expertise, though he noted the existence of important deal points that cannot be covered in detail. The conversation ended with a question about the importance of registering songs with a PRO for sync opportunities, which Chris did not directly address.

Song Registration and Sync Licensing

Chris explained that songwriters don't need to register their songs with any registry except when covering existing songs, which requires registration with Harry Fox. He noted that sync licensing is optional for songwriters who don't want the associated income. Bjorgvin emphasized the importance of song registration with PROs like BMI or ASCAP, as well as in other countries, to protect songwriters' rights. Chris shared several successful sync placements, including Grey's Anatomy, SWAT, and The Hunting Wives, and mentioned an upcoming Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor panel on January 11, featuring five top music supervisors discussing indie music and direct connections with songwriters.

Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel

Chris discussed an upcoming Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor panel on January 11th at 10 AM Pacific time, designed to help indie songwriters get their music into TV and film. He emphasized that while not all 12,000 attendees can connect with supervisors, the event focuses on practical results and building relationships rather than just general industry information. Chris explained that while sync placements can happen quickly for some or take longer for others, the key is developing multiple relationships with music supervisors over time, as this approach provides better opportunities than working through traditional labels or publishing companies.