The Filmmaker’s Guide To Music In Movies
Start Learning
Webinar hosted by: Alan Brewer
President & Owner at New Brew Entertainment
Alan Brewer is an independent music, film & television producer, music publisher, and the President/Owner of New Brew Entertainment, a Los Angeles area production company with several feature films and television series on its production slate. He has worked as a Film Producer, Score Composer, Music Supervisor and Soundtrack Producer on feature films & television productions for Universal, MGM, Fox, Warner Bros., Bold Films, CBS Television, Orion Pictures, Miramax, Summit Entertainment, Shochiku-Fuji Films, Anonymous Content, IFC Films, CMT, and VH-1, and others. Alan produced the Universal Pictures release, “Playing For Keeps,” (starring Daniel Jordano, Matthew Penn, Marisa Tomei). His feature credits include the Warner Bros release "American Pastime," “Come Early Morning,” (starring Ashley Judd, Laura Prepon, Jeffrey Donovan, Tim Blake Nelson), David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars,” Paul McCartney’s “Rockshow,” horror classic, “The Burning,” “Trailer Park Of Terror,” “Tokyo Pop,” and “Secret Policeman’s Other Ball” (featuring Monty Python, Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, Pete Townshend, Sting and others). Alan has produced recording sessions on 3 continents, in 5 countries in over 50 studios in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Boston, London, Manchester, Tokyo, and Toronto. Projects he has supervised or for which he produced and mixed music have included music by Jeff Beck, Clarence Clemons (of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band), Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Rick Derringer, Bob Geldof, Ruben Blades, Sister Sledge, Rick Wakeman (of Yes), O.M.D., China Crisis, Donovan, and many others. Alan is on the Advisory Board for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, served on the founding Board Of Directors for the Burbank International Film Festival and is a Past President of the Board Of Directors of the Nashville Film Festival (one of the longest running film festivals in the U.S.). He is also one of the founders of Film-Com, the annual Nashville based film & television conference, and is currently its West Coast Chairperson. Alan’s current production projects include “The Human Fly,” inspired by the real story behind the Marvel Comics character, “Sewerville,” a gritty, rural crime thriller set in Appalachia, “Hitchhiking With Larry David,” based on the popular book by Paul Samuel Dolman (Gotham/Penguin books), and “Deadfellas,” a mind-opening sci-fi horror feature co-written by Jeff Buhler, screenwriter of “Studio 666,” starring Foo Fighters, “Pet Semetary” (2019), “The Grudge” (2020), and creator of the George R.R. Martin based SyFy series, “Nightflyers.” Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Learn everything you need to know about how to source and use music in your productions from Alan Brewer, who is the President of New Brew Entertainment. Alan has extensive experience in every aspect of music for film and television including Music Supervision, Music Clearance & Licensing, Music Production, Score Composition, and Music Publishing!
PLUS! You'll receive a Music in Motion Pictures: Rights and Licensing exclusive handout!
We all agree that music can make or break a film. From Spike Lee to Steven Spielberg to Greta Gerwig to Quentin Tarantino, the best filmmakers rely heavily on music in their films to create a particular tone and evoke a certain emotion from the audience. The music you choose for your film can literally make or break your project.
However, most budding filmmakers have no clue where to begin in getting the necessary legal rights to use music in their films. While many independent filmmakers spend a great deal of time learning about the various aspects of the craft and business of filmmaking, most emerging filmmakers, even those who have gone to prestigious film schools, have little to no knowledge about the administrative and legal requirements for the inclusion of music in their projects. Furthermore, most independent filmmakers don’t know how to best navigate the creative music search with respect to finding songs and/or composers suitable for their productions and appropriate to their budgets. All too often, independent filmmakers find themselves in a bind, learning late into post-production that they don’t actually have permission to use the music they were planning to include in their project. Without the proper legal authorizations for the use of the music, your film will not be accepted to film festivals or get released on any platforms. We’re here to help!
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how to ensure that the music in your film satisfies the necessary legal requirements in order to be included in your project. You will learn everything from the different types of rights you need for music and how to obtain them, to how to work with a composer and your music team, the differences between using existing songs or creating original music for your film, how and when you need to create music cue sheets, and more. Teaching you everything you need to know about the use of music in your film is Alan Brewer, President/Owner of New Brew Entertainment. Alan has worked as a Film Producer, Score Composer, Music Supervisor and Soundtrack Producer on feature films and television productions for Universal, MGM, Fox, Warner Bros., Bold Films, CBS Television, Orion Pictures, Miramax, Summit Entertainment, Shochiku-Fuji Films, Anonymous Content, IFC Films, CMT, and VH-1, and others. He produced the Universal Pictures release PLAYING FOR KEEPS (starring Daniel Jordano, Matthew Penn, Marisa Tomei). His feature credits include the Warner Bros release, AMERICAN PASTIME, COME EARLY MORNING (starring Ashley Judd, Laura Prepon, Jeffrey Donovan, Tim Blake Nelson), David Bowie’s ZIGGY STARDUST & THE SPIDERS FROM MARS, Paul McCartney’s ROCKSHOW, horror classic THE BURNING, TRAILER PARK OF TERROR, TOKYO POP, and SECRET POLICEMAN'S OTHER BALL (featuring the members of Monty Python, Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, Pete Townshend, Sting and others).
Over an information-packed 90 minutes, Alan will cover the full range of information you must have in order to effectively and legally include music in your production whether you are working on a feature project with a substantial budget or a micro-budget short film intended only for festivals. Additionally, not only will this course be highly informative and useful for individuals working in film & television (producers, directors, production managers and post-production supervisors) but also for those songwriters, composers and music artists with a focus on creating music for film & television or placing their existing music in current projects.
PLUS! You'll have a Q&A with Alan and receive exclusive handouts to help you best work with music for your project. Downloads include:
- Music in Motion Pictures: Rights and Licensing
"I'm excited to share with the Stage 32 community my accumulated knowledge resulting from many years of experience in all aspects of the music for film & television process. Having worked all my life as both a music "provider" and a music "user” for film, I look forward to providing the facts regarding what has to be done as well as the language and terminology that will help facilitate communication between all parties involved in the use of music in a film project.” - Alan Brewer
Praise for Alan's Work
“(Brewer is) a sort of artistic systems resource manager, ever balancing aesthetics and the bottom line." - MIX Magazine
“One of the most diversified artists in the industry.....There’s a lot to be learned from such a revered professional as Brewer.” - The Music Paper
“Brewer worked to develop a creative consistency despite the diversity of the musical artists. The result is pure state of the art sound throughout.” - Valley Advocate/New Haven Advocate
What You'll Learn
- Various Music Rights for Film & Television
- What rights do you need for legal use of music in your production?
- What are “Master Synchronization” rights?
- What are “Publishing Synchronization” rights?
- What is a “Mechanical License” and do you need one?
- How to secure the rights you need
- What is the difference between music clearance and music licensing?
- How do you “clear” a song or musical composition for your project?
- How and when to formally license a song or composition?
- What is a “step deal” in music licensing for film & television?
- What is the “MFN” (Most Favored Nations) clause in music licenses?
- What if you want to release a soundtrack album?
- Special approvals sometimes needed
- Having Original Music created for your project
- Finding a composer
- Score composer agreements
- Commissioning original songs to be written for your production
- Music Publishing opportunities as an ancillary source of income
- Your Music Team
- Music Editors – What is their role?
- Music Supervisors – What do they do?
- Music Synch Clearance & Licensing Professionals
- Entertainment Attorneys specializing in music rights
- Which of the above will you need and when?
- Music Cue Sheets
- What are they?
- Why and when do I need one?
- Who prepares the Music Cue Sheet?
- Who will need copies of the Music Cue Sheet?
- Q&A with Alan
About Your Instructor
Alan Brewer
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Other education that may be of interest to you:
10 Business Steps To Get Your Film Financed & In Production
In this Stage 32 Next Level webinar, Simon Graham-Clare will discuss 10 business steps for giving your project momentum and creating a viable package that feels right to investors. Having been involved in the production and/or financing of over 200 projects, Simon will discuss how a filmmaker can benefit by teaming up with a producer who understands this world, and he looks at all projects from an international point of view to give you a full spectrum idea of film financing. The last two films The Future Film Group produced were both first time directors, so Simon knows exactly what it takes to get your project in production, no matter if it is your first film or one of many. Simon Graham-Clare is a Producer at The Future Film Group, established in London in 2000 as a film financier, utilizing the expertise of its principles in both the entertainment and business worlds. It quickly established itself on the UK scene through its involvement in films such as Bend It Like Beckham (starring Keira Knightley), The Queen (starring Dame Helen Mirren) and Mrs. Henderson Presents (starring Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins). The company quickly formed a production division to work alongside its financing arm and, through an ever-expanding structure, has since been involved in the production and/or financing of nearly 200 films and television shows. Some of The Future Film Group’s notable productions include Transsiberian (starring Woody Harrelson and Sir Ben Kingsley), 50 Dead Men Walking (starring Jim Sturgess and Sir Ben Kingsley) and Flawless (starring Sir Michael Caine and Demi Moore).
An Inside Look of the Stage 32 Writers' Room: Writing Romantic Comedies
A Vice President of Development at an A-List production company recently said,"Every studio executive is asking me for Rom Coms!" If you look at recent trends, it is clear they are on a come back. With the tremendous box office success of CRAZY RICH ASIANS, BOOK CLUB and THE BIG SICK and the streaming successes of SET IT UP, SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER, and TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE, romantic comedies are making a huge comeback for all types of audiences. Variety called Rom-Com's the "Hottest genre". If you have been sitting on a Rom-Com script or been thinking about writing one, now's the time to learn about the current marketplace for romantic comedies. So how do you as a writer approach writing a Romantic Comedy without falling into the trap of tired cliches? Or, how do you take the storytelling conventions and turn them on their head? Jason Mirch is a 10+ industry veteran who's worked in development on films for Image Nation such as THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, FLIGHT, CONTAGION, as well as in management, financing and producing. Jason is Stage 32's Director of Script Services and has helped dozens of writers in the Stage 32 community springboard their careers. He's the host of the Stage 32 Writers' Room which is a weekly online writers' group that meets online with writing challenges and one-on-one access to top industry professionals who serve as mentors and provide advice on the group's projects. During this 90-minute look inside the Writers' Room Breakdown Webcast, Jason will go over the history of romantic comedy as well as the anatomy of a romantic comedy. He'll teach you the 7 essential story beats in a romantic comedy and you will learn to develop your romcom with a theme or dramatic question. Plus, Jason will break down scripts including WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, 500 DAYS OF SUMMER, THE APARTMENT, KNOCKED UP, WHAT WOMEN WANT and more. Jason will discuss what makes these projects work and how we can apply those same principles to our writing! Plus! Jason will be taking ANY of your writing questions! Like what you heard from Jason during this webcast? Send him your screenplay and speak with him privately for an hour by clicking here! Praise for This Writers' Room Webcast: "Thanks for this summary! Loved the rundown ad the clips!" - Bethany B. "Such an insightful breakdown, thanks so much." - Crispin "Jason, you always overdeliver! THANKS so much!" - Petula "This was an amazing breakdown. Wow." - Ricki L. "Great breakdown as always, Jason, with superb choice of clips." - Stephen P.
Breaking Down the Emmy-Winning Script & Bible of STRANGER THINGS
We're going to break down the TV pilot and bible to understand what makes this show so iconic. 51 Emmy nominations. 12 Emmy wins. The most watched debut show on Netflix (up until Dahmer recently took the throne)...Stranger Things took the world by storm as it entered the airwaves. We were quickly drawn into this mysterious world and the band of misfits that we have grown to love as characters. The Stranger Things world may be mystical, but ultimately the success of the show comes down to the character ensemble developed from the pilot. In an exclusive Stage 32 Script Breakdown Webcast producer Jason Mirch will break down the first episode of the series live using excerpts of the script and the bible. Jason Mirch is a feature film, television, branded entertainment, and digital content producer and executive with over 15 years in the industry. Most recently, he produced a 3D animated feature film starring Jacob Tremblay, Christopher Lloyd, Mel Brooks, Kenan Thompson, and Carol Kane. Mirch was the Head of feature and television development at Image Nation, a finance and production company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. There, he supervised the Image Nation contributions in the development of FLIGHT, THE HELP, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, CONTAGION and more. Prior to his work at Image Nation, Mirch was Co-Head of Development at Zadan/Meron Productions (CHICAGO, FOOTLOOSE, THE BUCKET LIST) where he was actively involved in developing a slate of feature film projects for New Line, Paramount, Summit Ent., and CBS/Paramount. He also developed and sold television projects and mini-series to CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, and Lifetime. During this FREE Stage 32 Next Level Webcast Jason will take you step by step as he examines the key elements that make up the ensemble cast, how the opening sequence is designed to hook the audience, how theme and tone are exhibited in the text and on screen, how this first episode lays the foundation for the arc of the entire series, and much more!
The Art of Self-Distribution: The Domestic Limited Theatrical Release
Learn directly from Franco Sama, 15-year expert of film financing and distribution with 25+ successful independent feature films to his name, including Guns, Girls and Gambling (Gary Oldman, Christian Slater and Dane Cook) and Petunia (Thora Birch, Brittany Snow and Academy Award winner Christine Lahti)! As a filmmaker you may find yourself at the mercy of distributors and the existing archaic, chaotic convoluted distribution system(s) that ultimately ends up costing the you profits and, more importantly, creative and financial control of your project. With many new options becoming available for your project to be seen, self-distribution is becoming an increasingly beneficial option. In this webinar we go over the self-distribution model of limited theatrical and limited platform release. We've brought in 15-year financing and producing expert Franco Sama to draw on his experience with over 25 successful indie films in which he has secured distribution. Franco will teach you step-by-step how to release your film in multiple theaters across multiple cities throughout the Unites States. Plus, he will take it a step further and show you exactly how to incorporate the release into your business plan as part of your development process so you can benefit your investors and increase your film’s international value. You will leave this webinar armed with knowledge and ready to self-distribute your film via limited theatrical or platform release. PRAISE FOR FRANCO'S TEACHINGS: “Head & shoulders above the usual webinars on film distribution and finance. Franco actually knows his stuff and has a track record to back it up. Really good presentation.” – Scott B. “This webinar gave me a TON of information and things to consider as we move forward with our first feature project. Thank you Stage32 for providing these excellent training opportunities.” – LeAnn M. “Franco was very informative. I've already produced a ton of stuff but have been challenged by the distribution side (although my 1st feature HAS finally gotten distribution!). He gave me some great nuggets of information. I would definitely take another webinar with him.” – Stephanie B. “I thought that this seminar presented a wealth of useful information in a short period of time.” – Glen P. “The material provided is informative and appreciated!” – Andry P.
Visual Effects 101
Learn the fundamentals of visual effects from Kenneth Lui, award-winning director of ARTISTS IN AGONY: HITMEN AT THE CODA TEAHOUSE, and a visual effects artist on Marvel's DR. STARNGE, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Quentin Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT and more! Film is a visual medium and as a visual storyteller it’s important that you know all the tools utilized in visual effects (VFX) so you can extend the universe of your story. Our imaginations are limitless and finding the correct approach to telling stories from our imagination in a visual medium can be daunting. The best filmmakers are familiar with the parameters of VFX and how to best use them. As technology becomes more affordable and sophisticated, having high quality VFX in your projects is more accessible than ever. However, an understanding of how to not only use visual effects but incorporate them into your story is critical if you’re going to make the most out of these amazing technologies. As a filmmaker, it is important you understand the fundamentals of visual effects so you can grasp how you want to use them in your story and relay that to your visual effects artists and production team. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, award-winning visual effects artist/writer/director Kenneth Lui will take you through the fundamentals of visual effects to elevate your work whether you’re doing a small short or a big budget feature. Kenneth will walk you through how effects are designed and executed on his award winning films as well as the basics of how it’s done for Marvel and DC films. Kenneth has worked as a visual effects artist on Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, IRON MAN 3, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, ANT MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, and DOCTOR STRANGE as well as other blockbuster films like Quentin Tarantino’s THE HATEFUL EIGHT, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, JUPITER ASCENDING, DIVERGENT, TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, as well as a digital effects artist on PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and more! Kenneth is sharing his vast knowledge and industry experience exclusively with the Stage 32 community to help you get the most out of visual effects in your next project. In this information-packed webinar you will learn how to design your shots and characters to maximize the impact of visual effects in your story, how to make VFX pay off and help your story, and how to incorporate visual effects in your project without going over budget. You will gain an understanding of the critical elements of visual effects that will help you plan your story, your shoot, and ensure you can troubleshoot issues that come up on set while filming for your visual effects shots. This webinar is an incredibly unique and rare opportunity to learn the art and application of visual effects from one of the most experienced VFX artist in the industry. Praise For Kenneth’s filmmaking "Kenneth Lui’s expertise as a visual effects artist for Marvel and DC movies shines through, elevating the film’s action and drama. Lui orchestrates a seamless and masterclass blend of action, drama, and dry humor that captivates audiences from start to finish.”- Punch Drunk Critics
The Art of Pre-Production - Plan Your Project The Right Way Before Starting Production
Learn how to effectively execute your pre-production from a multi Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author! It might not be the most glamorous, but pre-production is arguably the most important aspect of putting together a film. The crucial decisions you make and the team you build during this phase will determine the success of your production and ultimately, your film. But no matter what experience level you are at, pre-production can quickly become an overwhelming process. From hiring and budgeting to location scouting and scheduling there are always going to be a lot of plates you have to keep spinning. Yet approaching pre-production with a plan, with discipline, and with the appropriate knowledge will keep your film on track and even elevate it to a level you might not have previously thought possible. Whether you're filming a project for $1 million or $1,000, pre-production is the foundation to make sure your production goes smoothly. But with so many I’s to dot and T’s to cross, there are A LOT of traps and pitfalls you can fall into as a producer. That’s why it’s imperative you have a clear understanding of the work and challenges you have ahead of you and what you need to be aware of to ensure you can ultimately get your film made. So what exactly do you need to ensure gets done during this critical phase of your project? How can you build the best team possible and put together the resources you need without going over budget? Let’s dig in. Multi Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Shane Stanley has worked in almost every capacity on and off the set with hit shows like ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT and SEINFELD and producing films like Sony Pictures’ GRIDIRON GANG a #1 box office hit starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. For three years, Shane was Vice President of Sheen/Michaels Entertainment where he produced several motion pictures starring Marlon Brando, Mira Sorvino, Thomas Hayden Church, Donald Sutherland, Marisa Tomei, Sean Penn, John Travolta, and Charlie and Martin Sheen. Shane recently released his book What You Don’t Learn In Film School, which covers filmmaking from concept to delivery and has already landed on required reading lists at several universities across the country. Shane continues to produce and direct independent films of all levels, and just wrapped production on his latest action thriller BREAK EVEN. Over the countless films he has produced, Shane has gotten pre-production down to a science and knows what it takes to prepare a film of any level. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, Shane will dig into his deep producing knowledge to break down the pre-production process and outline how you can best prepare for your own project. Shane will explain how to define your budget, including where you should put most of your money towards and will dive into crewing up, focusing on the five most important members of your team and how to find the right fits for your project. He will next discuss the challenge of finding locations, how to do so for cheap, and how to best communicate with property owners and take care of permits. Then Shane will give tips on how to schedule, how many shooting days you should plan for and how to adjust when things inevitably change. Lastly, he will talk about the final steps producers should take before moving to production and when you should feel ready. Praise for Shane's Previous Stage 32 Webinar: "Shane was thorough, gave me a realistic view into the market as it is now, yet encouraging. Easy to listen to and follow. I'll be signing up for other classes he teaches in the future." --Karena K. "Just straight-forward, real, the kind of producer most of us would kill to work alongside." --Clark R. "Shane was relevant, knew what was happening, and could walk the walk." --Chuck R.
Register / Log In
