THINKING IN SYNC:

A PRIMER ON THE MIND OF A MUSIC SUPERVISOR

“Thinking In Sync" is the perfect entry point into the world of synchronization for any musician, band, songwriter, manager, or music industry professional starting a career pitching music or interested in learning more about this unique and profitable area of the industry. With this book, experienced music supervisor Amanda Krieg Thomas aims not only to provide answers for many of the questions music supervisors are most often asked, but also the reasons behind those answers. Readers will walk away with the following:

  • A detailed overview of every step of the song clearance process from quote request to confirmation letter to music cue sheet, and why each is important to understand.

  • Insight as to how music supervisors evaluate cold emails and music submissions from potential new contacts, and how they consider who goes on the “search list.”

  • Essential conversations to have, creative approaches to consider, and materials to assemble before, during and after a song is recorded in order to best position your music for sync.

  • Resources and strategies to evaluate the most effective people to send your music to (it's not always music supervisors) and how to stand out in a good way.

  • Specific suggestions of what materials and information to include (or avoid) in your pitch, from professional etiquette and common industry faux pas, to preferred submission platforms.

  • Basic knowledge of a music supervisor's role, responsibilities, and the day-to-day pressures they face within the broader film and television creation process - and how these demands affect artists.

 

REVIEWS

“Amanda Krieg Thomas hits a home run, taking her depth of knowledge as a music supervisor and churning out bite sized, actionable information for aspiring artists, composers and industry participants. If you are ready to learn about the realities of this crazy industry, you'll want to devour Thinking In Sync: A Primer on the Mind of a Music Supervisor.”

- Jeff Freundlich, Fervor Records

“I cannot recommend this book more to those interested in learning about the world of music supervision. Whether your goal is to have your song placed in a project, or to start a music licensing business, or to become a music supervisor, the insight and suggestions detailed in this book provide a perspective that is not only incredibly helpful, but directly address questions that consistently come up in every Synch related conversation I've ever been apart of.

With the continued advance in social media, access to working professionals in all fields has become easier and easier. Which undoubtedly can have significant pros and cons. The music industry frequently views the job of music supervisor in high regard, almost like they're on some mythological pedestal as "the way in" to finding success for many songwriters and performers, and many find frustration in the fact that these working professionals are unreachable, uncommunicative, or uninterested. This pent up feeling of "I just don't know how to go about starting a working relationship with a music supervisor!" This book covers that, details advice, and offers the reader a true glimpse into the mind of one of the most active and professional music supervisors in the business.

If you are a total newcomer to this field, this is a fantastic introduction. Starting with the basics and getting into the nitty gritty very quick. If you're an industry veteran, this is a terrific way to take a moment to self evaluate and freshen up. While some information may be remedial to someone who has 10+ years of licensing experience, the ability to experience a tell-all from someone you likely already work with is invaluable.”

- Garrett McElver, Music Supervisor (The Tick, Seal Team)

“It took many years working in the music industry to learn the invaluable information that's clearly spelled out in this book. While there are many out there, very few cover in detail the entire synch licensing process and best pitching practices from the perspective of a prolific music supervisor like Amanda. This is required reading if you want to understand how to truly become a part of the synch licensing community in any capacity and it's a great refresher for established professionals too!”

- Patrick Clancy, Director of Music & Creative at Lyric House