In keeping with our current focus on music in film, as we’re nearing the end of round 1 of our Song Search for The Storyteller, here’s a short introduction to licensing music for film.

Before jumping right in, however, it’s important to note that there are two different kinds of licensing to know about; the license you need to acquire for the original score you’re commissioning and the so-called sync license, which is what you need when you wish to use a song in your film. In simple terms, think of the score as the emotional string arrangements you hear as the film’s climax is approaching, while the synced song is Wayne and Garth singing along to Bohemian Rhapsody.

To explain the two different approaches to licensing, please welcome LA-based composer Jongnic Bontemps:

We have many more videos with Jongnic on the way, so be sure to check back often. Or even better, subscribe to our newsletter and/or YouTube channel and we’ll let you know when the next one is online.