A Guide To Researching And Meeting Music Supervisors' Needs

When aiming to catch the attention of music supervisors with your tracks, the foundation of your approach should be grounded in meticulous research. Knowing their previous and current projects, as well as their specific musical taste and needs, can position you as a thoughtful and serious contender. Here’s how to conduct this research effectively:

Investigate Previous Projects
IMDbPro: A subscription-based service, IMDbPro provides detailed information about industry professionals, including music supervisors. Look up their filmography to see the list of movies or TV shows they've worked on.  Learn more about IMDB Pro.

LinkedIn: Often, music supervisors list their past projects and roles on their LinkedIn profiles. LinkedIn also provides networking opportunities through mutual connections.

Trade Publications: Websites like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Billboard often feature articles about prominent music supervisors and their projects.

Analyze Musical Selections
Tunefind: This resource offers an extensive database of songs used in television and movies and can be filtered by specific music supervisors.
Spotify Playlists: Search for playlists curated by the music supervisors themselves, or look for official soundtracks of the projects they've worked on.  Learn more about Tunefind.

Soundtrack.Net: This site provides information on soundtracks and often credits the music supervisors.  Learn more about Soundtrack.net

Understand Their Preferences and Trends
Guild of Music Supervisors: The Guild of Music Supervisors website lists members and awards, which can give you an idea of who is who in the industry and the kind of work that gets recognized.  Visit The Guild Of Music Supervisors Website.

Interviews and Podcasts: Listen to interviews or podcasts featuring music supervisors to hear them speak about their work and preferences. For instance, the Music, Money And Life podcast sometimes features music supervisors discussing the placement of songs in media.

Networking and Direct Contact
Music Supervisors Directories: Directories, such as HTLYM Premium's Sync Licensing Business Directory, provides a list of music supervisors, which can be a starting point for finding contact information.

Film and TV Music Conferences: Events such as the Sync Summit or the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO can provide networking opportunities.

Social Media: Following music supervisors on Twitter or Instagram can provide insight into their personalities and tastes. 

Get Specific with Your Pitch
Once you have a firm grasp of their work, mention specific projects in your pitch that are relevant to the style or mood of the music you're offering. For example, if the supervisor worked on a critically acclaimed indie film with a folk-heavy soundtrack, and your music is in the folk genre, it’s worth mentioning this alignment.

Stay Current and Offer Solutions
Luminate Film & TV: A platform that tracks development and production deals across TV and film, offering insights into upcoming projects which a music supervisor might be working on.  Learn more about Luminate Film & TV.

Anticipate what a music supervisor might need for future projects by keeping up with industry news and trends. If you notice a resurgence of a certain genre or a new show in production that fits your style, mention how your music could be beneficial.

Remember, the goal of research is not only to personalize your pitch but also to ensure that you’re reaching out to the right person with relevant material. It's about establishing a connection between your music and the emotional narrative they seek to create in their projects. By being informed and making your music seem like the answer to a music supervisor's needs, you increase the chance of forging a productive relationship.

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