EP:53 - Film Music in Flux: Royalties, AI & the Streaming Shakeup

First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff

🎧 Sign up for our Sync Like A Pro Academy:

https://charles-levan-s-school.teachable.com/p/sync-like-a-pro-academy-pre-recorded-1

🔊 Join, create, and connect with our indie music community here:

https://www.patreon.com/BlueBuddhaEntertainmentSyncCohorts

CONTACT US:

📨 Email: bluebuddha909@gmail.com

🔵 Blue Buddha Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com/

📸 Instagram: @‌bluebuddhaent @‌syncriffs

Is streaming saving film—or sabotaging musicians?

In this eye-opening episode of Sync Riffs, host Charles Levan sits down with composer, producer, and UCLA film scoring professor Brian Ralston for a candid conversation about the new realities of the entertainment industry. From shrinking royalty checks to the rise of AI, they unpack how the post-COVID landscape, globalized production, and tech innovation are changing everything for composers, filmmakers, and music professionals.

🎵 Brian pulls back the curtain on:

The real math behind streaming residuals

How AI is reshaping creativity—and the copyright chaos it's leaving behind

Why education + entrepreneurship are now essential for success in sync & scoring

What aspiring composers need to know about work-for-hire, licensing, and protecting their work

Whether you're a film buff, sync artist, or just trying to understand the business behind the music, this conversation is packed with insights, stories, and takeaways that could reshape your career.

🎧 Hit play, subscribe, and don’t forget to drop your thoughts in the comments!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Current State of the Industry

02:39 Streaming Models and Their Impact on Residuals

05:36 The Shift from Traditional to Streaming Revenue

08:32 The Evolution of Film Production and Distribution

11:12 Challenges in Hollywood: Strikes and Market Changes

13:58 The Rise of Micro-Budget Films and Global Production

16:46 The Role of Technology in Film Production

19:44 Tax Incentives and the Globalization of Hollywood

22:31 The Future of Movie Theaters and Audience Engagement

25:16 AI in Film and Copyright Issues

36:21 Navigating Copyright in the Age of AI

39:44 The Limitations of AI in Creative Expression

43:14 The Business of Film Music Education

55:43 Understanding Work for Hire Agreements in Film Music

👉 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite takeaway!

#SyncRiffs #FilmMusic #MusicRoyalties #StreamingImpact #AIMusic #BrianRalston #MusicForFilm #SyncRiffs #MusicIndustryTips #CopyrightMatters #ComposersLife #HollywoodChanges #MusicInTheAgeOfAI

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture, and everything in between, including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors. Subscribe to the channel for future episodes!

Support the show

EP: 52 Breaking into Music supervision insider tips & advice

First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff

ç 🎧 Sign up for our Sync Like A Pro Academy:

https://charles-levan-s-school.teachable.com/p/sync-like-a-pro-academy-pre-recorded-1

🔊 Join, create, and connect with our indie music community here:

https://www.patreon.com/BlueBuddhaEntertainmentSyncCohorts

CONTACT US:

📨 Email: bluebuddha909@gmail.com

🔵 Blue Buddha Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com/

📸 Instagram: @‌bluebuddhaent @‌syncriffs

In this episode of Sync Riffs, host Charles Levan engages a panel of music supervisors and coordinators to discuss their journeys into the music supervision industry, the importance of networking, and the impact of AI on music creation. Each guest shares their unique experiences, insights, and advice for newcomers, emphasizing the value of internships, building relationships with creators, and the irreplaceable nature of human creativity in music. Their collective insights on navigating the Film-Television space where invaluable and inspiring. Thanks to our guests and we look forward to catching up soon. Namaste.

Featured in this episode

- Gabbi Coenen from Supe Troop
- Triniti Daniel-Robinson of Creative Control
- Caleb McFadden from Clearly Music
- Zach Glucksman, the Indie Music Supervisor

In the episode we had a round table chat on:
- Breaking into the Film-Television Space.
- What worked for them and what are some on-going challenges.
- Mentorships + Internships
- We also had an open dialogue about A.I and navigating it from the perspective of indie artists.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Panel and Guests
02:58 Gabby's Journey into Music Supervision
05:54 Internship Experiences and Learning Opportunities 09:01 The Role of an Artist in Music Supervision
11:59 Trinity's Path to Music Coordination
14:57 Caleb's Experience and Growth in the Industry
17:59 Zach's Transition from Marketing to Music Supervision 21:00 Freelancing and Independent Projects
27:39 The Journey of a Sync Agent
31:32 Advice for Aspiring Creatives
39:08 Networking and Mentorship Opportunities
43:08 The Role of AI in Music and Film
57:45 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections

👉 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite takeaway!

#SyncRiffs #TrailerMusic #MusicSupervision #MasterworksAlliance #KyleBiane #WendyWilliams #FilmMarketing #MusicLicensing #ComposerLife #SyncTips #StreamingEra #SyncIndustry #AuthenticMusic #MusicBusiness #musicforfilms

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture, and everything in between, including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors. Subscribe to the channel for future episodes!

Support the show

Behind the Trailers: Empowering Composers & Reinventing Sync

First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff

ç 🎧 Sign up for our Sync Like A Pro Academy:

https://charles-levan-s-school.teachable.com/p/sync-like-a-pro-academy-pre-recorded-1

🔊 Join, create, and connect with our indie music community here:

https://www.patreon.com/BlueBuddhaEntertainmentSyncCohorts

CONTACT US:

📨 Email: bluebuddha909@gmail.com

🔵 Blue Buddha Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com/

📸 Instagram: @‌bluebuddhaent @‌syncriffs

What really goes into making music for trailers? In this epic episode of Sync Riffs, host Charles Levan sits down with Kyle Biane and Wendy Williams of Masterworks Alliance to uncover the magic—and the business—behind trailer music and sync.

🎞️ From the unique craft of trailerization and overlays to the future of theatrical releases, this conversation dives deep into how the music industry is evolving. They open up about the impact of COVID-19 on creatives, why authenticity is non-negotiable in today’s sync world, and what it takes to get your music into film marketing.

Whether you're a composer, producer, or sync-curious artist, you’ll gain valuable insights on:

🎬 How trailer music is made and marketed

💼 The business behind sync & licensing

🔁 The rise of covers, overlays & trailerization

🤝 Why relationships with music supervisors really matter

📈 Streaming’s influence on the trailer game

🎙️ Tips for breaking into music libraries & sync catalogs

🔥 Don’t miss this one—it’s packed with real talk, creative gold, and industry wisdom.

👇 Drop your questions or thoughts in the comments—and hit subscribe for more Sync Riffs!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Masterworks Alliance

00:46 Formation and Purpose of Masterworks Alliance

03:44 The Evolution of Trailer Music

06:53 Empowering Publishers in the Music Industry

08:16 Navigating Financial Stability in Music

12:32 The Creative Process in Sync Music

17:24 Understanding Overlays and Trailerization

22:26 Navigating Customization in Music Composition

23:59 The Impact of Streaming on Marketing and Budgets

26:38 The Evolution of Trailer Advertising

28:42 The Influence of Social Media on Film Consumption

30:52 Adapting to New Media Consumption Patterns

33:24 Understanding Music Libraries and Licensing

37:18 Future Prospects for Masterworks Alliance

40:04 The Return to Authenticity in Music

41:31 Exploring Dolby Atmos and Theatrical Sound

42:54 Current Musical Influences and Trends

👉 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite takeaway!

#SyncRiffs #TrailerMusic #MusicSupervision #MasterworksAlliance #KyleBiane #WendyWilliams #FilmMarketing #MusicLicensing #ComposerLife #SyncTips #StreamingEra #SyncIndustry #AuthenticMusic #MusicBusiness #musicforfilms

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture, and everything in between, including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors. Subscribe to the channel for future episodes!

Support the show