Connecting to the right people in TV & film
July 26, 2026
This is best way to get your music into shows, movies, and ads.
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Thank you Chris! This was very informative!! This actually speaks to what I’ve been in the process of doing. My issue is that I write songs off of melodies in my head. I don’t have a track or a producer to provide me tracks of music for me to choose from, that I feel I can eventually write to.
I just had a convo with my Co-worker about this very thing. She ended up sharing that her spouse does music and film and that we should talk.
So, you’re I felt this was a perfect example of what you’ve just described in your video. Thanks again!
Cool story! That is exactly how these things happen. I would look for an online music producer in your budget to get your songs down.
Chris I agree 100%. Meeting people is key to any business, music too. I could be so lucky, good thing I’m in this class. Art.
Love that, Art. You are indeed in the right place to make things happen.
I certainly agree with the explanation of being around at the right place at the right time. Years ago I was the lead on act, at my aviation school in Calif, for England Dan and John Ford Coley. It was great meeting them and talking music with them. I keep playing my 12string and certainly enjoy it!
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i recently saw somewhere a similar thought about being connected with the right people, like music supes, only it was about being connected with the people involved with music libraries. I can’t find the post or whatever it was again (i hate that) so i’m not sure how all that would work to cultivate a connection with music librarians (i just made that term up), but it sounds like an extra, alternative approach for songwriters pursuing the sync thing. Chris, ever heard of this approach before?
Thanks, Chris. This is such a great reminder.
One thing I’d add is that making music can be incredibly isolating. Many of us spend hours alone in front of a computer or mixing console, obsessing over every lyric, every sound, every plugin, and every tiny production decision. Because we’re creating from such a personal place, it’s easy to become emotionally attached to the outcome.
That’s why relationships with music supervisors are so valuable—not because we’re trying to become friends, but because they’re willing to share honest feedback from the other side of the table. That perspective is invaluable.
Something else I’ve been learning is that music supervisors are just one part of a much larger creative chain. Even if they genuinely love your music, they’re still pitching it to editors, producers, directors, networks, and clients who ultimately make the final decision. A “no” isn’t always a reflection of the song, and a “yes” from a supervisor isn’t a guarantee of a placement.
For me, building a good relationship means trusting people when they say they believe in my music, appreciating that encouragement, and giving them the space to do their job without expecting immediate results. That’s a much healthier mindset than tying every interaction to whether it leads to a placement.
Thanks for continuing to remind us that this business is built on authenticity, professionalism, and relationships—not just great songs.
Exactly. We go to a party not because we have a precise plan of who will meet or what will happen, but because we know that we are in the right place at the right time and good things can happen that wouldn’t otherwise. Well said.
Agreed…but you still need to “bring it” as the artist. All ducks need to be in row AND at the proper water level.
Yup, it also about the music being the right fit for what they are working on.
Thanks so much for all your great content. I’m a songwriter, just during this past year set up a home studio and so far have released 7 tunes. I just realized thinking about what you said that of my closest 5 contacts three are songwriters, producers, multinstrumentalists, bandleaders and music teachers (lucky me, huh? Not really, I built these relationships with intention). The other 2 are musicians I play with, one came up with the name of my studio (“Toy Dog Studio”) and the other designed my logo (a Chihuahua with a crown on its head). By the end of this year my goal is to have at least a full album’s worth of releases, then it will be time to focus on sync placements! I know I can do it! Thanks again.
I love it, Jeanne, you are on the right track.
Absolutely right! Just being in music libraries is not enough and almost certainly will ever land you big placements. Music supervisors with big projects work with people they trust and they don’t always have time to establish new relationships especially when it might cause them to lose their job.
Exactly, that is why I introduce indie songwriters directly to music supervisors.
Well Chris, just listened to your most recent recent information and advice regarding pitching our music. It has certainly helped this canny Scot to think more positively about how I go about getting my music heard and hopefully selected.
Great to hear, Ron!
I also agree, Chris, and the cool thing now is that we can experience these kinds of ‘circles of people’ through technology… so we don’t have to necessarily live in NYC or LA or Nashville… part of the beauty of Sync Songwriter is that we can connect with supes from wherever we are. After just about 2 years of working with Sync Songwriter and meeting with supervisors, I can honestly say that I’ve met several if not many, that I’d love to meet for lunch and talk music (or anything!) with them. I’m a pretty shy person, so it’s taking me a bit longer to feel comfortable, even on zoom… but as time goes by, with each meeting… I am feeling more comfortable… and of course, learning how I can provide what they are looking for in regard to their projects. I remember someone on a music panel once referring to the business as long term dating… not a one night stand. As always, I appreciate your videos, and all that you offer to us…thank you!
Love that, Robbie. Yes, you want to be in the game, not watching from the bleachers or just dipping your toe in.
Chris thank you for your insights they are right on. thank you for the course and the chance to develop those relationships. I have to say I was floored by the positive response to my songs I shared with the supervisors. It helped me to be encouraged, that I am moving in the correct direction.
That is great news, Paula! The first step is them loving your music for their opportunities.
Thanks Chris, as you suggest, the nature of business relationships is awareness. Here’s my take on this: Decision makers most often gravitate toward the person that is
1) On their mind at the time.
2) Appears to have what they need at the time.
They will often forget about us if we are don’t leave the right impression. Does this mean we have to harass them and send them stuff constantly.
NO, that will just put them off.
We need to be like a friend. Talk with them when the opportunity happens naturally. Keep in touch if there is a legitimate reason. Talk about the bsuiness and the music in a way that let’s them know we are a professionals who understand what is required to be successful in this business. In other words: Don’t pretend to be a dedicated professional. BE a dedicated professional. It’s about passion and comittment. If music and a sync career is important to you, the music supervisors will see it in your manner, your ideas, your knowledge and your desire to be the best at what you do. We don’t have to force anything, we just have to stay in touch and communicate, when the time feels right.
You are definitely on the right track, Kelly.
Chris, I concluded my 49-year career in Engineering Operations as a program a manager, with the last 37 at a Fortune 500 high tech firm. In a matrix environment relationships become the baseline for achieving goals. Developing those relationships came from honesty, integrity and at times compassion. People start to ask for you by name for projects because the like how they are treated. I look forward to applying those skills in this industry and hope these words help others correlate their experiences as well.
Bingo!
Theron Thomas says the way for a songwriter to make it today is through collaboration, ie relationships!
Absolutely!
Thanks for your blog. It’s both informative & inspiring. I have followed your advice & made a “tree” of my contacts & connections. It makes a difference seeing it “on paper”. A very focusing tip – and it ties in well with the course. Best from Berlin
Nice!
As always Chris you are spot on! I’ve been or was in the glass business for over 40 years and it was absolutely about relationships, and doing a good job. Once it was established that your were a valid responsible business and did good or even better, great work, the phone would always ring. I believe the music business like any business is for most parts the same. Though I haven’t had anything licensed as of yet, I feel that the relations are being established for that day to come… Thank you Chris for helping to keep me chugging at the dreams.
That is exactly it, Michael. Keep it up!
Thank you, Chris, I will give this a lot of thought as to how to apply it with the music supervisors “out there” who seem to place my kind of songs.
Great to hear, Mellani.
Very wise, applicable in any arena of life as you mentioned.
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I think what you may be referring to is similar to what use to be called networking. I’m an isolated song writer/musician here in Wisconsin and what I need is to find who to contact to get to be known, meaning a way to network with these people in the industry.
Yup! That’s what Sync Songwriter is exactly for.
Thanks Chris… Industry relationships don’t come easy but there IS a “building effect” over the years if you are straight forward, honest AND have the goods they need. It’s not about going to dinner with them or hanging out with them… it’s coming through for them with a targeted song when they need it most. Therefore, it’s important to listen to what they say since most of them will tell you what they need when given the opportunity. Also, I think learning that these MS are simply normal people like us, is a big LEARN and should give us all confidence to keep our strongest irons in the fire. No need to be intimidated, just continue to grow at your craft; then give them what they need at the exact right timing. Thx
You have that exactly right! That on its own takes years which is why I started Sync Songwriter, to turn that into weeks or months.
Networking is key! We tend to go to the people closest to us or that know people we know whenever we make decisions.
For sure, but it is more than having a business card. I think you mean the real kind and I agree with that.
Hi, Chris! Thanks for reaching out, but I have lyrics only.
You’re half way there! Just find a cowriter who does music and you are on your way.
Hi Chris, you are 100 % correct on being a product of the five people you are with the most. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t open new areas in life with new associations. Thank you for opening the door for us, now we have to go through and do our best. Very exciting indeed.
To many songs are out there, same beat, no catch line. No one will ever publish any song I`ve written. Great songs, but to country. Change your approach. See what I mean to. Youtube Earl Jones Topic
On the contrary, there is a home for every song in sync licensing, Earl. You just have to get them heard by the right people.
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Chris….I sat in your program that you and ryan presented…years ago i had a song placed in a movie…my observation is that instead of offering a course in how to do this, it would be better to offer a placement service…charge by the song to get access to these placement agents…sort of like a playlisting service….thx..Lloyd Prueitt
If I did that, Lloyd, I would just be adding to the noise. There are so many agents and libraries out there and musicians are mainly just stuck behind a paywall playing a lottery. All they can do is hope they the one who gets picked out of the thousands of tracks on the agent’s roster. That is why you hear about so few indie songwriter placements this way relative to how many musicians are on the platform.
Hello Chris, this idea about the five people can be a big influence on our life’s direction and situation is enlightening. Networking is important and most people like to work with people that we/they know. Thanks for highlighting how key it is to connect with people in the music industry. In a recent pitch session with Matt, he underscored the necessity of having a few different pitches (elevator, etc.) with focused info about our music. He’s so right! Thank you to you and the SycnSongwriter team for being the “wind beneath our wings,” and helping us get our music out into the world. You rock!
Hey thanks, Kristi!
I have found this to be true throughout my working life. Some cultures maybe even more so (I live in Spain so definitely true here, less so maybe than Canada, where I grew up). We tend to look for synergies on one level or another. I mean, I ended up following you (Chris) first because I saw Blue Rodeo referenced somewhere and it reminded me of home (and the LP on still on my shelf), lol. So yes, definitely my dream to shift my music into those new rooms, conversations and contacts!
Love that, Rachel, and the shout out to Blue Rodeo. 🙂
Hi Chris! This was perfect timing — between your video plus a comment that Matt made today in our pitch session really brought it home. I was originally thinking that it’s all about the songs but the songs need the relationships first to get heard. Matt made the point that you first sell yourself — establish that relationship. This was inspiring!
1000% Taking the initiative to place ones self into the environments we desire to be in, into the mindset we wish to operate from is how we become exposed to the connections and opportunities. Thanks so much for seeing the gap and then creating a bridge for those seeking. KeepIt LavaLava
Good afternoon Chris SD. i have been watching your messages when they come in. Thank you for the snippets of wisdom and direction. What resonates with me most is I have to bring something to the table, something that has a lot of potential as apposed to throwing mud at a wall and see what sticks. I am most comfortable as a lyricist and composer of melodies. It’s how my brain is wired, mostly. I am proud of my creations. The mixing, mastering and other aspects of the music business are like a sea of information that keeps on changing. The writing and composing is where I have always put my interest and energy. I have been isolated physically but I do belong to a couple of musical communities. There is training, there are degrees of support and encouragement that helps, but face to face with a physical person/persons is where I would prefer to be . It’s where I do my best communication.
I want to thank you again for your video messages and just let you know I exist. I have a lot on my plate but I’m doing my best to move forward and get better prepared for what the future holds.
Have a great afternoon!
Pete
Hey, thanks for commenting, Pete. And good to hear you are out there. It sounds like you are on the right track and just need to get the right folks to hear what you’ve got.