Question: I recently read an article in the Calendar section about the music supervisor for The O.C., who is responsible for getting some of my favorite bands on the TV series. Can you tell me more about the job? How do you go about becoming a music supervisor? Are there any classes I can take?
— Joan

Response: There are no set requirements or qualifications for being a music supervisor. You just need a passion for music and the ability to convince someone to hire you. Most music supervisors work on a freelance basis, so networking is key to getting your foot in the door.

Perhaps the most tried-and-true way to become established as a music supervisor is to gain experience by working for an established music supervisor and then going off on your own.

Job Description
Music supervisors review and select the music for film and television projects. They meet with film and television directors, producers and composers to make recommendations.

Some music supervisors have little input into the creative process. Instead, they concentrate on licensing deals and legal contract negotiations. They work with budgets and process paperwork with unions.

An aspiring music supervisor must be resourceful in delivering quality music on a shoestring budget. Often there is little money left over for post-production tasks such as securing rights to recorded music. Most established artists ask for licensing fees that are too expensive for low-budget projects.

Other options for music supervisors would be to work as an assistant supervisor, in-house as a music manager for a studio, or the head of the music department for a large entertainment company.

Music supervisors often work on several projects at the same time.

Training Options & Costs
UCLA Extension
10995 Le Conte Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024-2883
(310) 825-9971
www.uclaextension.edu
From time to time UCLA Extension offers a class called "Music Supervision for Film." It was just offered in fall 2005 and according to a representative at UCLA Extension's entertainment studies program it will be offered again in spring or summer 2006.

This course defines the role of the music supervisor as drawing on the combined resources of the film and television communities to marry music and moving images. Lectures and discussion with guest speakers present the principles and procedures of music supervision. The cost for the course is $395.

Job Resources
You may find the following books on music supervision helpful:

• Music Supervision: The Complete Guide to Selecting Music for Movies, TV, Games and New Media; Adams, Ramsay; Hnatiuk, David; and Weiss, David; Schirmer Books; 2005.

• The Indie Guidebook to Music Supervision for Films; Churchill, Sharal; and Seedman, Jan; Filmic Press; 2000.

Professional Resources
As an aspiring music supervisor you could consider joining and using the resources of the following organizations in the Los Angeles area:
Film Music Network
6080 Center Drive Fifth Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 909-8418
Fax: (310) 496-0917
www.filmmusic.net
This is a professional organization for the film and television music industry. Membership benefits include access to online job listings in the industry, networking opportunities at monthly chapter meetings, and industry updates through their magazine.

An additional benefit is the Online Member Directory. Members can provide contact information, links to their web site and samples of their work. Monthly premium membership dues are $14.95.
Independent Feature Project (IFP)
8750 Wilshire Boulevard, Second Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (310) 432-1200
Fax: (310) 432-1203
www.ifp.org
Independent Feature Project is a well-established organization that might help you make connections and break into music supervision.

This is a not-for-profit group that supports independent filmmakers. Membership benefits include networking opportunities at events, funding and grant programs, preview and premiere screenings, and career advancement seminars and workshops. Individual membership is $95. Student membership is $60.

Employment Outlook
Music supervisor, like many jobs in the entertainment industry, is generally considered a glamour, "taste-making" position. Competition is keen for few job openings. The number of music supervisor jobs available in film is directly related to the number of films being made. Currently, major studios are producing fewer movies.

Salary Range
You may have to start by interning, working for little or no pay.

A few top film music supervisors earn up to $200,000 per film project. Most others earn approximately $20,000 per film project. For television projects, music supervisors earn $1,500 to $4,000 per episode.

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Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.