MINDY PETERSON, NCTM

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

January 19, 2021

Music clearly impacts us is through its role in TV and movies. The absence of music in trailers or the shows themselves would fundamentally change our viewing experience. But who matches the appropriate song to a scene in a TV show or film for full effect? Music supervisor Jody Friedman explains the music selection process, tips for those interested in the biz, and how the song he composed ended up in The Handmaid’s Tale trailer.

Guest

Joining me today from Mission Viejo, CA, is Jody Friedman, the founder of License Your Music, an online platform with courses about the world of Music Licensing. Jody is an award-winning songwriter, producer, recording artist and music supervisor.  He has worked with the major studios, trailer houses, and ad agencies for over a decade on music supervision projects that have included, Won’t You Be My Neighbor (Focus Features), Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Netflix), and The Music Of Strangers with Yo-Yo Ma. He’s written and produced music for trailer campaigns including The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), Ray Donovan (Showtime), and Victorious (Nickelodeon).

Notes

• Jody explains the process for pairing music and scenes in selecting film music; describes his career path; and shares how License Your Music is clearing the path for others interested in this career.

 Connect/Other Resources

• Jody Friedman is the founder of License Your Music, an online platform with courses about the world of Music Licensing.
• Jody also writes & produces for trailers & ads through his company, Collaborate Music.
• Instagram: @licenseyourmusic
• Facebook: @licenseyourmusic
• Facebook group: @licenseyourmusicwithjodyfriedman
• Twitter: @licenseyrmusic
• I mention Score: A Film Music Documentary
• I mention Ep. 2: Music in Movie Trailers
• Jody mentions Ingress: The Animation, and Plants and Animals rock band
• Jody’s 2003 performance of his talent-show-winning composition for CNN, “The Prompter Song:”

Coda

In 2011, Jody wrote a song called “Pure As Snow” with a local band in Orange County (I Hate You Just Kidding).  It was written for the final Twilight film.  Jody says, “We tracked with a local children’s choir.   It didn’t make it in the film but we continued to pitch it. In 2015, we reimagined and remixed that song with a trailer composer.  In 2017, we licensed that remix to the trailer for Season One of The Handmaid’s Tale. Here is the song itself:  

Here is the trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale that used the song:    

Closing Words

Thanks so much to Jody for sharing this song and its story – and giving us a look at the world of music supervising and licensing. If you’re interested in learning more about this world, check out www.licenseyourmusic.com for tons of information AND a free download of Jody’s book.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next week, may your life be enhanced with music.

 

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