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I get a lot a couple of e-mails a day from aspiring artists asking how they can get their music featured in TV or film. Although I have some experience in this realm I’d rather let an expert get into it. Some of this might seem obvious but you have no idea how many artists fail to adhere to the most basic rules of music submission…not just to music supervisors but to A&R as well.
So here are Six Tips for getting your music placed in TV and film from music biz expert Mike King. While this isn’t hip-hop specific I can tell you the big death trap for original hip-hop submissions is sampling. If you are an amateur artist not backed by a publishing group or label and submit music with samples or riffs from other songs you will most likely be passed up just due to the legal ramifications and clearance issues behind it. Take that in mind.
1) Although they take Mp3 files in emails, supervisors still primarily work with full art CDs. They prefer their music in proper jewel cases with a spine that lists the artists name and title. Madonna from Whoopsie Daisy (who has worked on “Smallville,” “One Tree Hill,” “Alias,” and “Felicity,” and others) said that she receives upwards of 150 submissions a week, many of which she files away. Artists have to make it as easy as possible for them to file your music, and find it later.
2) If you are burning a CD, be sure you have added all the track info to the individual songs (particularly artist and song names). If a supervisor burns your music into iTunes, you don’t want to be in their library as “Track 2.”
3) Clearance problems are always an issue. Make the publishing and master info as prominent as possible, especially if you control both.
4) Be sure you are targeting the right show. Supervisors hate emails that ask: “What are you looking for?” Know your show’s demo, and send them appropriate music.
5) Do Not Call. Supervisors have no time to spend on the phone. Quick email reminders are appropriate. Successful pitches are those that do not expect anything, and do not put too much pressure on the supervisor. Keeping in front of them is great; stalking them is not.
6) Do not ask them for opinions on your music. Supervisors are not A&R reps. Good music will stand out and get placed at some point.
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I work for a music supervisor….all of these are great points and 100% true. If you ARE going to send mp3s through email, make sure they’re metatagged with your contact info, placed into a zip folder, and sent thru yousendit or sendspace.
I work in music supervision for a major network – you would be amazed how many poor quality and unprofessional submissions there are. You got one shot – do it right.