What Music Supervisors Are Really Looking for in 2024
Understanding what music supervisors are looking for is key if you want to land sync placements. While great music is important, supervisors are ultimately searching for songs that fit their specific projects. In 2024, a few trends stand out as particularly important when it comes to getting noticed by these gatekeepers of the sync world.
Authenticity Matters: Capturing the Right Mood, Not Just a Polished Sound
In sync licensing, music supervisors aren’t necessarily looking for a song that’s overly produced or perfect in a commercial sense. Instead, they’re interested in whether your music captures the right emotion and mood for the scene or project. Authenticity here doesn’t mean raw or unpolished — it means a song that feels true to its purpose. The music needs to resonate emotionally, aligning with the story the director, editor, or producer wants to tell.
This emotional resonance is often more important than having a radio-ready hit. Supervisors want tracks that fit the tone of the scene they’re working on, whether it’s tension, joy, sadness, or excitement. So, while your song doesn’t need to be commercially perfect, it needs to hit the right emotional notes.
For more on this topic, listen to my recent interview with music supervisor Susan Jacobs (American Hustle, The Notebook, Silver Linings Playbook). In our interview, Susan talks about how often times, especially for films, less is more when it comes to production and that in many cases, simple, stripped-down songs actually work better.
Diverse Genres and Global Sounds Are in Demand
With the rise of streaming platforms and the increasing global nature of media, music supervisors are searching for a wider variety of sounds. This trend isn’t limited to just indie or mainstream genres; it also includes world music, Latin beats, K-pop, and more niche styles. Sync licensing is no longer dominated by just rock or pop — supervisors are tapping into a global audience, so having versatility in your music catalog is a huge advantage. You should of course write what you are inspired to write, but don’t be afraid to diversify into different styles if you feel inspired to do so.
Genres that fuse elements from different cultures or styles are especially popular, as they offer a fresh sound that’s appealing to international audiences. For instance, blending electronic music with traditional instrumentation, or incorporating elements of jazz with hip hop, can stand out. Sync opportunities exist across a wider array of genres now, so expanding your musical reach can increase your chances of getting placed.
Instrumentals and Lyrics: The Balance Between Emotion and Simplicity
When it comes to lyrics, music supervisors often prefer simplicity. Instrumental tracks or songs with sparse vocals are frequently chosen for projects where dialogue takes center stage. But when lyrics are needed, they must serve the scene. Meaningful, well-written lyrics that align with the emotional tone of a project have the best chance of being selected.
Supervisors often look for themes that resonate universally — love, conflict, resolution, or personal growth. That said, lyrics should not be overly complicated or abstract. If the words interfere with the dialogue or the narrative, the song is less likely to be used. When submitting, consider offering both a full vocal version and an instrumental version of your song. This flexibility can increase your chances of being selected for different types of sync opportunities.
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Being Accessible: Ready-to-Go Music for Tight Deadlines
Music supervisors are under constant pressure, often working with tight deadlines. They don’t have time to wait for a track to be edited or for stems to be delivered after the fact. That’s why it’s crucial to be fully prepared when submitting your music for sync opportunities.
Having stems, instrumentals, alternate versions, and a clearly tagged catalog (with proper metadata for licensing and rights information) is essential. The easier you make it for a supervisor to use your track, the more likely they are to choose it. This means keeping your tracks organized, accessible, and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Supervisors appreciate artists who are professional and can deliver quickly, especially when they’re in a time crunch.
Building Relationships: Why Who You Know Still Matters
While a great song can catch the attention of a music supervisor, building long-term relationships is key to having sustained success in sync licensing. Supervisors tend to work with musicians they trust — those who understand the process and are easy to collaborate with. If you can build a professional rapport with a few key supervisors, it can open doors for repeat opportunities.
Consistency, clear communication, and professionalism are important. Stay in touch with supervisors, follow up after initial outreach, and always be respectful of their time. While it might take time to develop these relationships, it’s an investment worth making, as supervisors are more likely to return to artists they know and trust for future projects.
During a recent podcast I did with music supervisor Pamela Liptak, Pamela stressed that she really prefers to work with musicians who she likes as people. In other words, it’s not just about the music, it’s also about the connection you create with people in the industry.
Start Your Sync Journey with The Sync Lab
Landing sync placements takes more than just great music — it requires understanding the industry and making the right connections. To help you get started, check out our free online directory of music libraries and music supervisors at The Sync Lab. It’s a valuable resource designed to help you find opportunities and get your music in front of the right people.
And for those who want deeper insights into the sync world, don’t miss our podcast, also called “The Sync Lab.” Available at The Sync Lab, the podcast features insider tips, expert interviews, and everything you need to know to succeed in sync licensing.