FAQs

What is a music supervisor, exactly?

I help shape stories through music and sound. As a music supervisor, I work closely with directors, producers, editors, and showrunners to find the right songs—or collaborate with composers on original scores—that carry emotion, set tone, and ground scenes in a specific time, place, or cultural moment.

Music supervision is both creative and practical. On the creative side, I focus on identifying music that truly supports the story being told. On the logistical side, I handle music licensing and clearance, making sure the songs you connect with can actually be used legally and fit within your production budget. This includes negotiating licenses, working directly with rights holders, and managing approvals so there are no surprises later in the process.

Strong music supervision isn't just about taste, it's about intention. What does the story need so that it feels honest, resonant and real? What has to happen musically so that everything happening in that moment feels like an experience? Sometimes this means diving into historical research in order to get the tonality right; other times it means shining a spotlight on emerging artists whose music brings something fresh and immediate to the story. At all times, it means finalizing music choices that matter.

At every stage, my role as a music supervisor is to make thoughtful, informed music choices that strengthen storytelling and turn individual moments into meaningful experiences. For those interested in a more formal overview of professional standards, the Guild of Music Supervisors provides industry guidelines that outline the scope of the role.

When should I bring on a music supervisor?

The earlier a music supervisor is involved, the more value they can bring to a project. Engaging a music supervisor during pre-production allows for strategic planning around music supervision, including budgeting, identifying key music moments, and flagging potential music licensing and rights clearance issues early in the process.

Early involvement supports smarter music budgeting, clearer creative direction, and a more efficient licensing strategy. Waiting until post-production to address music supervision and clearance can limit creative options, complicate negotiations, and result in unexpected costs.

Bringing a music supervisor on during development or pre-production creates greater creative flexibility, a smoother music licensing and clearance process, and stronger alignment between music, storytelling, and overall production goals.

How much does this particular song cost? Can't you just give me a rough number?

There is no single price for licensing a song, and a music supervisor cannot reliably provide a rough number without understanding the specific details of a project. Music licensing costs vary widely based on a number of factors related to rights, usage, and distribution.

Key factors that affect the cost of a song license include how many versions of the song exist, the number of songwriters and publishers involved, and whether both master and publishing rights must be cleared. Costs are also influenced by how the music will be used, including the type of media, where that media will appear, the length of the license term, and the geographic scope of distribution.

As a general rule, the more well-known or recognizable a song is, the more expensive it will be to license, regardless of where or how it is used. A music supervisor helps evaluate these variables early in the process and can recommend alternatives or strategies that align creative goals with realistic music budgets.

Do I still need a music supervisor if I already know which songs I want?

Yes. Even if you already know which songs you want to use, a music supervisor plays a critical role in making sure those songs can be used legally, efficiently, and within budget. Identifying music is only one part of the music supervision process.

Music supervisors manage music licensing and clearance, which involves securing both master and publishing rights, coordinating outreach to rights holders, negotiating license terms, and working closely with legal teams. This process can be complex and time-sensitive, particularly when multiple rights holders are involved.

In parallel, a music supervisor evaluates creative and budgetary constraints and can recommend alternative music options if a selected song proves financially or logistically out of reach. By balancing creative intent with licensing realities and production timelines, music supervision helps keep projects moving forward without compromising quality or compliance.

What is music clearance and why does it matter?

Music clearance is the process of securing the legal rights to use a piece of music in a production, campaign, or event. It involves obtaining permission from all relevant rights holders, negotiating license terms, and securing written agreements that authorize the intended use of the music.

Proper music clearance is essential for protecting a project from legal and financial risk. Without cleared rights, a film, television program, advertisement, or event may be blocked from distribution, delayed, or subject to legal action. Music clearance often requires extensive coordination, including outreach to multiple rights holders, contract review, and ongoing communication to secure approvals.

Because music rights are complex and time-sensitive, music clearance is a critical part of professional music supervision. Handling clearance correctly ensures that music can be used legally, distributed without issue, and aligned with a project’s creative, budgetary, and delivery requirements.

What's the difference between a music supervisor and a composer?

A composer creates original music specifically written for a project, commonly referred to as a score. This music is tailored to picture and designed to support emotion, pacing, and narrative beats throughout a film, television show, or other production.

A music supervisor, on the other hand, is responsible for shaping the overall sound of a project using existing music. Music supervision focuses on selecting, licensing, and clearing pre-existing songs, while also collaborating closely with composers, independent artists, and music production houses when original music is part of the creative plan.

While composers and music supervisors often work together, the roles serve different functions. Composers craft original emotional cues, while music supervisors curate the broader sound world—integrating licensed songs, guiding music strategy, managing music licensing and clearance, and ensuring that all music choices support the story, budget, and production requirements.

Can a music supervisor help me find songs from underrepresented artists or musicians from specific cultural backgrounds?

Absolutely - and this is a point of pride for me in the work that I choose to do. A major aspect of telling a story effectively is using music, cultural context, time and place with care, accuracy and consideration. A good supervisor doesn't just pull from obvious playlists - they dig deep, take the time to do the research with regard to the artists, music culture around them and the communities that cherish them. By centering research, cultural awareness, and intentional selection, music supervision can elevate storytelling while supporting artists whose work brings depth, specificity, and resonance to a project. It's an honor to make musical choices that are authentic, respectful and aligned with the story that a creator is trying to tell.

What if I'm working with a limited budget? Can I still afford music supervision?

Yes, music supervision can still be an option when working with a limited budget, depending on the scope of work and the music supervisor’s availability and discretion. An experienced music supervisor can help prioritize available resources and provide realistic guidance on what is achievable within a given music budget.

Music supervision adds value by helping projects allocate funds strategically, avoid costly licensing mistakes, and identify creative solutions that support the story without unnecessary expense. With proper planning, it is often possible to stretch a music budget while maintaining narrative integrity and production quality.

That said, it is important to plan for both a dedicated music licensing budget and a separate fee for music supervision services. These are distinct costs, and respecting both ensures a professional, transparent working relationship while allowing the music supervision process to function effectively.

Do I need a music supervisor for a short film or web series?

It depends on the goals of the project. If a short film or web series is intended for film festivals, distribution pitches, online release, or includes recognizable music, working with a music supervisor is strongly recommended—even if only for a limited consultation.

A music supervisor can help with early music planning, licensing strategy, and rights clearance to ensure that all music used in the project can be legally distributed and publicly screened. This is especially important for festival submissions and potential future distribution, where uncleared music can prevent a project from moving forward.

Even at a smaller scale, music supervision helps creators make informed music choices, avoid legal complications, and align music decisions with long-term goals for the project.

Do you have a rate card?

Music supervision rates vary based on the scope, timeline, and specific needs of each project. For this reason, services are priced on a project-by-project basis rather than through a standard rate card.

Music supervision, licensing, clearance, and consulting fees are determined by factors such as project scale, duration, deliverables, and level of involvement required. This approach allows for accurate scoping and ensures that services align with creative goals, production timelines, and budget realities.

To receive a tailored estimate, prospective clients are encouraged to schedule a consulting call with me and to share details about their project so that an appropriate scope of work and pricing structure can be discussed. If you'd like to schedule a consulting call, please feel free to share details about your project and reach out to me via hello@jocelynmichellebrown.com.

I'm a musician. Can I send you tracks?

Kindly, no. Most music supervisors receive an extremely high volume of unsolicited music submissions every day—far more than can realistically be reviewed or responded to. Because of this, direct submissions from musicians are rarely the most effective way to reach a music supervisor.

The most successful way for musicians to get their music considered for film, television, advertising, and branded content is through a third-party sync agent, music publisher, or record label that is authorized to represent and pitch their work. These partners understand music supervision workflows, provide proper context, and ensure that tracks are presented with clear metadata, rights information, and contact details.

Unsolicited submissions often arrive without basic identifying information such as artist name, song title, album title, or rights ownership details, which makes them difficult to track, evaluate, or follow up on—especially under production deadlines. Repeated cold emails can further reduce the likelihood of a track being reviewed.

Working with a trusted sync representative who understands both your music and the needs of music supervisors is the most effective and professional way to get your work heard and considered for placement.

Can I "pick your brain" about something that I'm working on?

Discovery calls are reserved for potential clients with fully funded projects who are actively preparing to retain music supervision, licensing, or consulting services. These calls are designed to assess scope, timeline, and fit for ongoing work.

For individuals or teams seeking advice, guidance, or feedback outside of an active, funded project, paid music consulting sessions are available. Consulting calls provide focused, professional insight tailored to your specific questions or challenges and are offered in half-hour sessions for a consultancy fee.

To inquire about consulting availability or to request a call, please email hello@jocelynmichellebrown.com with details about your project or area of interest.

I'd like to become a music supervisor. How do I do it?

There is no single path to becoming a music supervisor. People enter the field in different ways, depending on their background, interests, and opportunities. Some study music business or related disciplines in school, while others learn on the job through roles in music licensing, publishing, record labels, post-production, or creative agencies.

A strong foundation in music supervision typically includes an understanding of music licensing and clearance, rights management, storytelling, budgeting, and collaboration with filmmakers, producers, and creative teams. Learning how music functions within film, television, advertising, and branded content is just as important as having good musical taste.

For a helpful overview of the profession and the different routes into the field, this Los Angeles Times article offers insight into how music supervisors build their careers. The Guild of Music Supervisors website is also an essential resource, providing educational materials, industry standards, and community support for aspiring and working music supervisors.

For those interested in further learning, a curated reading list and an upcoming newsletter focused on the intersection of creativity, music, and business are available by emailing readers@jocelynmichellebrown.com or visiting the Reality Club Substack.