MUSIC SUPERVISOR SESSIONS
National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP)
narip.com
Tess Taylor, President
Contact: [email protected]
NARIP is the biggest music business network in the world, reaching over 130,000 music professionals. Its mission is to provide access to the top experts in music.
Describe your “Music Supervisor Sessions.”
• Music Supervisor Sessions started in 2011.
• Session attendance is limited to 16 people.
• We let attendees know what a supervisor is specifically looking for.
• At the session, everyone pitches songs and gets instant feedback.
• It’s so popular we try to do three to four sessions per month.
• Our members have placed over 200 songs in various projects.
Why do you think music placements are so sought-after?
• Placements are the new radio. If you place a song on a hit TV show, the potential for exposure is tremendous––better than radio.
• Additionally, it can generate income for quite a while.
What changes have you seen in music supervision?
• Some music supervisors are rock stars, and a lot of people want to become one.
• There are so many artists going for placements it affected the market. Budgets are lower, synch fees are down and supervision fees have declined.
How do you get a music supervisor’s attention?
• You have to develop a relationship with them.
• P.J. Bloom (a noted film and TV supervisor) compared it to dating.
• This business is about personal relationships, so it shouldn’t be surprising that supervisors like to work with people they know and trust.
How important is a recording’s production quality?
• It’s hugely important.
• Due to time constraints there’s no time to remix or master a recording.
• If it’s not up to par, it won’t make the cut––especially for major projects.
What are some of the more common mistakes artists make?
• Most artists do not pitch very well.
• If you really want your music placed, you have to do your homework.
• It’s a “Cardinal Sin” not to know anything about the supervisor or their projects.
• Pitching a song for a show you’ve never seen is a waste of time.
• You should know something about the rights involved and how money is made, especially with Performing Rights Organizations.
How long does a “Music Supervisor Session” last and what’s the cost?
• Each session lasts about three hours.
• The cost is $249 for members and $329 for non-members.
• About 80% to 85% of attendees come back repeatedly.
• In fact, some participants have gotten over 20 placements from the sessions.
By Bernard Baur
