membership
WHAT IS A MUSIC SUPERVISOR?
Definition/Role of Music Supervisor
A qualified professional who oversees all music related aspects of film, television, advertising, video games and any other existing or emerging visual media platforms as required.
In addition: The Music Supervisor must possess a comprehensive knowledge of how music impacts the visual medium. The Music Supervisor works with the key decision makers and/or designated creative team to collectively determine the musical vision, tone and style that best suits the project.
The Music Supervisor provides professional quality service that combines creative, technical and management expertise with relevant proven experience. This specialized combination of diversified knowledge and unique skills is integrated into all stages of development, pre-production, production, post-production, delivery and strategic marketing of the project with regard to all music related elements.
Music Supervisor Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Identify, secure, and collaborate with any and all music related talent, which includes composers, songwriters, recording artists, on-camera performers, musicians, orchestrators, arrangers, copyists, contractors, music producers, engineers, etc.; liaise and negotiate with talent representation, including legal, label, talent management, agency, business management, unions, etc.
2. Liaise and effectively communicate with other related and involved professionals & support staff, i.e. directorial, production, editorial, sound (production & post), camera, choreography, studio & network executives, advertising agencies, clients, label executives, game designers, distributors and cross-promotional marketing partners.
3. Possess an accurate knowledge of all costs associated with delivery of music elements. Determine and advise on financial needs of project and generate realistic budget with respect to all music related costs. Deliver all required music elements within the established budgetary parameters.
4. Advise on feasibility of schedule based on release, broadcast, campaign or product delivery. Deliver all music elements consistent with specific technical requirements. Manage and/or secure legal rights of new and existing recordings, clearances of Synchronization and Master use licenses of pre-existing music, credits, cue sheets, etc. within scheduling parameters.
5. Determine the viability of, creation of and securing exposure or distribution of any music related ancillary product, i.e. soundtrack, single, video, internet downloads, etc. for the purpose of promotion or additional revenue streams.
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIPS:
ACCREDITED MEMBER
“ACCREDITED MEMBER” BENEFITS
Invitations to all Guild of Music Supervisors, Canada (“GMSC”) social events in Canada (we average 2-5 per year and growing).
Voting rights for GMSC Board of Directors elections.
Invitation to participate on GMSC Committees and have a rewarding experience helping our Guild and profession evolve.
Access to a strategic partner in advocating for and helping to resolve professional and human resources issues that affect the Music Supervision community.
Voting rights for the Canadian Sync Awards, celebrating excellence in the craft of Music Supervision across all fields.
Option to purchase a pair (2) of tickets to the Canadian Sync Awards at a special ‘Accredited Member’ discounted rate.
Invitations and participation options to educational events; free admission to the Sound + Vision Sync Conference.
Invitation to attend and participate in GMSC Annual General Meeting.
Invitation to attend and participate in GMSC Town Hall events to help guide and define the direction of our Guild and the Music Supervision community as a whole.
Speaking opportunities at conferences and festivals worldwide (please note: engagement criteria varies event to event).
Music Supervisor profile page, hosted by the GMSC, which includes a link to individual IMDB page or website of choosing.
“ACCREDITED MEMBER” CRITERIA
Your requirement is based on fulfilling one or more of the obligations for each ‘category’ or a combination of at least 50% of at least 2 or more categories.
To be considered as an Accredited Member, applicant must submit the following:
Current Resume.
Credits (if applicable).
Cover letter describing your current position and explaining your interest in joining the GMSC.
Applications will be reviewed by Membership Committee on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must submit current resume with credits to guildofmusicsuperscanada@gmail.com and include "Accredited Membership Request” in Subject Line.
Category: FILM
Must have a credit as “Music Supervisor” on a minimum of four (4) feature-length films that were commercially-released within the four (4) years prior to your application (or renewal) date.
“Feature-length” is defined as being 75 minutes or longer.
“Commercial Release” is defined as a primary release on one (1) or more of the following platforms: theatrical (see below for definition), Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, OnDemand, iTunes, YouTube Red, or any streaming platform connected with a major corporation (ie. Bell’s ‘Crave’).
GMSC defines a “theatrical release” in Canada with these terms:
For paid admission in a commercial motion picture theatre in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
For a qualifying run of at least 4 consecutive days, during which period screenings must occur at least 2 times daily.
Advertised and exploited during their qualifying run in a manner normal and customary to theatrical feature distribution practices.
NOTE: A single theatrical showing does not qualify as a “theatrical release”.
Release solely as part of a Film Festival does not qualify as a “commercial release”.
Self-release on the film’s website only does not qualify as a “commercial release”.
Category: SCRIPTED TELEVISION
1) 40 episodes with a minimum of 20 hours of original, broadcast programming time (i.e. 20 episodes of one-hour television shows or 40 episodes of half-hour television shows) with a credit of “Music Supervisor”, aired/commercially-released within the four (4) years prior to your application (or renewal) date.
OR
2) Four (4) feature-length made-for-TV movies with credit of “Music Supervisor”, aired/commercially-released within the four (4) years prior to your application (or renewal) date.
Category: UNSCRIPTED TELEVISION
40 episodes with a minimum of 20 hours of original, broadcast programming time (i.e. 20 episodes of one-hour television shows or 40 episodes of half-hour television shows) with a credit of “Music Supervisor” aired/commercially-released within the four (4) years prior to your application (or renewal) date.
Category: FILM & TELEVISION MARKETING (INCLUDING TRAILERS & PROMOS)
A minimum of four (4) years working in the role of a Music Supervisor, as defined by the GMSC, inclusive of forty (40) campaigns (can have worked on trailers or promos).
Category: ADVERTISING & BRAND CONTENT
A minimum of twenty (20) finalized placements (or finished creative executions) working in the role of Music Supervisor, as defined by the GMSC, aired or gone live within the four (4) years prior to your application (or renewal) date.
Category: VIDEO GAMES
Must have a credit as “Music Supervisor” on a minimum of four (4) commercially-released video games, released within the four (4) years prior to your application (or renewal) date.
Fee: $150.00 CDN per year
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Don't have enough music supervisor credits for Accredited Membership? In a Music Coordinator or similar role? Associate Membership may be right for you! Associate Membership is available to those who meet the following requirements:
Active Music Supervisors, without enough commercially-released/aired media to qualify for Freelance Membership.
Music Coordinators or Music Assistants (or equivalent) working under independent Music Supervisors or at companies whose primary function is Music Supervision.
Music Coordinators or Music Assistants (or equivalent) in-house at a corporation whose primary function is NOT Music Supervision (e.g. Film Studios) with under four (4) years total experience (at that corporation and/or elsewhere).
Professionals in directly adjacent or connected careers to Music Supervision, such as Music Clearance, Music Editorial, or Music Licensing (i.e. Long-Form Contracts) that are hired directly by productions or Music Supervisors.
“ASSOCIATE MEMBER” BENEFITS
Invitations to GMSC social events in Canada (we average 2-5 per year).
Option to purchase a pair (2) of tickets to the Canadian Sync Awards at discounted rate.
Voting rights for the annual Canadian Sync Awards, celebrating excellence in the craft of Music Supervision across all fields.
Invitation to attend and participate in GMSC Town Hall events to help guide and define the direction of our Guild and Music Supervision community as a whole.
Invitations to educational events and a special member rate for the Sound + Vision Sync Conference.
Invitation to participate on GMSC Committees and have a rewarding experience helping our Guild and profession evolve.
Access to a strategic partner in advocating for and helping to resolve professional and human resources issues that affect the Music Supervision community.
“ASSOCIATE MEMBER” CRITERIA
Applicants will be considered based on their direct relationship with the craft of Music Supervision.
To be considered for Associate Membership applicants must submit the following:
Current Resume.
Credits (if applicable).
Cover letter describing your current position and explaining your interest in joining the GMSC.
Applications will be reviewed by Membership Committee on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must submit current resume with credits to guildofmusicsuperscanada@gmail.com and include "Associate Membership Request” in Subject Line.
The following professions alone DO NOT qualify one for Associate Membership. Please see the “Friends of The Guild” category:
Students
Songwriters
Musicians
DJs
Musician Contractors
Artist Managers
Agents
Music Producers
Engineers
Studio Managers
Students
Songwriters
Musicians
DJs
Musician Contractors
Licensing Catalog Staff (e.g. Publishers, Record Labels, Third-Party Pitching Companies) who do not have any Music Supervision credits and/or experience.
Independent “Song Pluggers” who do not have any Music Supervision credits and/or experience.
Fee: $100.00 CDN per year
FRIENDS OF THE GUILD MEMBER
Welcome songwriters, musicians, record labels, music publishers, music producers, library owners, and music community friends!
While not a form of GMSC Membership, becoming a “Friend of the Guild” is an opportunity to connect with music supervisors, attend events, receive our newsletter, and get involved with the Guild. Becoming a “Friend of the Guild” helps support the music supervision community. If you are involved in the following fields, you can become a “Friend of The Guild”.
Artists, Songwriters, Musicians
Agents
Music Educators
Managers
Students
Third Party Pitching Companies & Sync Agents
DJs
Music Producers
Executive Music Producers
Composers
Music Directors
Music Contractors
Record labels
Music Publishers
Music Editors
“FRIENDS OF THE GUILD MEMBER” BENEFITS
Invitations to GMSC social events in Canada (we average 2-5 per year).
Discounted ticket opportunities to the Canadian Sync Awards.
Invitations to educational events and a special Member rate for our Sound + Vision Sync Conference.
Subscription to the GMSC Newsletter.
Opportunity to volunteer and participate in Guild events.
Fee: $100.00 CDN per year
Full Time Student Fee: $50.00 CDN per year**
General Membership Guidelines
GMSC reserves the right to deny applications or revoke membership status at any time.
Official Guild communication channels shall not be abused. There will not be any inappropriate commercial solicitation through Guild communication channels.
No Guild material that has been distributed to members as confidential may be posted publicly, released or otherwise disseminated.
