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Submit Your Music for TV and Film: A Guide

For musical artists looking to expand their reach beyond traditional channels, submitting music for TV and film provides a lucrative and rewarding opportunity. Whether you’re an established artist or a budding musician, getting your track on screen can boost your profile significantly. But with the vast competition in the industry, understanding how to properly submit your music is crucial to increase your chances of success.

Why Submit Music for TV and Film?

Before diving into how to submit music for TV and film, it’s valuable to understand the why.

• Increase Exposure: Streaming services and TV shows can reach millions of viewers, granting your music an expansive audience.
• Monetary Benefits: Sync licensing deals can provide consistent revenue through licenses and royalties.
• Portfolio Diversification: Adding TV and film credits to your portfolio can establish you as a versatile artist.
• Networking Opportunities: Working with industry professionals can open doors to further collaborations.

Understanding Music Licensing

Music licensing is a vital aspect of submitting music for TV and film. It involves two primary types: Master Recording License and Synchronization License.

Master Recording License

This license is necessary when a TV or film production wants to use an existing recording of a song. As a musician, if you hold the rights to your recording, you can negotiate terms that include compensation and usage permissions.

Synchronization License

A synchronization (sync) license allows a piece of music to be embedded into visual media. As the composer or songwriter, securing a sync license enables your music’s integration into a wide variety of visual content.

Prepare Your Music Before Submission

Before submitting your music, ensure it’s ready for industry scrutiny. Here are essential steps to consider:

Professional Quality Recording

Your music should be of high-quality production. Opt for a professional studio recording to ensure your track sounds polished and ready for broadcast.

Metadata Organization

Metadata outlines information such as song title, composer, publisher, and rights holder. Organized metadata can make all the difference and support rights management processes:

• Include accurate song title and artist name.
• List all contributors, including composers and lyricists.
• Specify whether the track is instrumental or has vocals.
• Provide contact details for rights and licensing inquiries.

Create Instrumental Versions

TV and film productions often favor instrumental tracks, so consider providing both vocal and instrumental versions to broaden your chances of selection.

Finding the Right Opportunities

Once your music is polished and metadata is organized, it’s time to identify potential submission opportunities. Here’s how to find them:

Research Music Supervisors

Music supervisors oversee the selection of tracks for TV and film. Research supervisors who have worked on shows or films that align with your musical style. Understanding their preferences can increase your chances of success.

Utilize Music Libraries and Agencies

• Music Libraries: These platforms have pre-licensed tracks ready for immediate sync use. Submitting your music here can provide broad industry exposure.
• Sync Agencies: Sync agencies represent artists to connect with TV and film industries for licensing deals. Partnering with an agency can streamline submission processes.

Networking in the Industry

Networking in music and entertainment circles allows you to connect with people who might need your music. Attend industry events, showcases, and conferences to increase your visibility.

How to Submit Your Music

Once you have found the right opportunities, it comes down to the submission process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Follow Submission Guidelines

Every production entity or music supervisor may have different submission guidelines. Thoroughly read and follow these requirements to ensure your submission is considered:

• Preferred file format (MP3 or WAV).
• Length restrictions, if any.
• Proper metadata tagging.
• Contact information.

Compose a Professional Pitch

Your pitch should include:

• A brief introduction of yourself and your music.
• Key highlights or achievements in your music career.
• Reasons why your track suits their specific project.
• Clear and concise contact information.

Send in Your Submission

Use professional email etiquette when sending your submission. Avoid large attachments — provide links or access to streaming platforms where your track can be easily downloaded or streamed by the supervisor.

Follow-Up and Patience

After submission, patience is key. It can take weeks or even months for a project to make a selection, and countless submissions are made daily. If you haven’t heard back after the typical response period, a polite follow-up email is acceptable.

However, continue to work on new music and pitches in the meantime. Submissions may need multiple rounds or different pitches to various projects before finding success.

Conclusion

Submitting your music for TV and film is a strategic process, but the rewards can be significant. By preparing your music effectively, identifying the right opportunities, and following submission protocols, you dramatically increase your chances of success. The journey requires perseverance, but with dedication and a clear strategy, your music could soon reach audiences worldwide through TV and film exposure.

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