Photo Credit: Brandon Davis for A3C Media Services
The Growing Power of Music Licensing, Synchronizing & Publishing
This comprehensive panel moderated by Jorge Brea of Symphonic alongside panelist Mathew Steele of Steele Sync, Brian Hamilton CEO of Beats & Rhymes, and music producer Dennis Coronel, of Soul+Mind, gave young artists and producers insight to getting sync licensing placements in movies, TV, and gaming.
Being a young producer myself, I’ve always wondered how to obtain revenue outside of trying to score a major placement with a top tier artist. Music licensing is extremely lucrative if done the right way. The genre, sound quality, and approach to companies is essential in gaining your first sync licensing placement.
Photo Credit: Brandon Davis for A3C Media Services
What should you do to get a deal?
The top question everyone wants to know is how do I secure my first placement? There are a few key factors one should keep in mind when securing a sync licensing deal. The number one piece of advice given was using sample free music. Make sure to submit all original content to music supervisors and music libraries for a better chance of placement opportunities.
CEO of Beats & Rhymes, Brian Hamilton said, “In the sync world, sampled music is a no go. We need all original content to work with because it causes fewer problems when finalizing a deal without the hassle of sample clearance.”
Producers and artist should have a well-organized catalog of diverse music that can be presented in many forms of media. If songs contain vocals, you should tailor the lyrics to be vague and versatile so that it has a potential to be used in a broader selection of sync opportunities.
Another key tip when presenting instrumentals is to always have several sub-mixes of a record such as acapella mix and radio versions. Be sure to have the stems for each track readily available as well so licensees can accommodate their project with little hassle.
Photo Credit: Brandon Davis for A3C Media Services
How to secure the deal?
Securing a deal is crucial because a potential deal can fall through in a matter of seconds if not handled correctly. When you send your music to these companies be sure to be professional in your emails and post streaming links as opposed to mp3 attachments.
If you want to get paid for any music used you must be aligned with a performance rights organization such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Without this crucial step, your song could have millions of views via television, but you won’t see a dime because there is no way to track your money. You’re not in the music business if you do not see profit.
