Representation, strategy and building a sustainable career
When do you need an agent, and what can an agent actually do for you? For many Dutch composers, working with an agent is still far from common practice, which makes this conversation especially relevant. In this panel, Annette Gentz and Valerie Dobbelaere discuss the role of representation in the world of music for film, TV, games and media. They will share insights on how agents discover and position talent, build relationships with producers, directors and music supervisors, negotiate fees and contracts, and help shape long-term careers. A practical and honest conversation about timing, trust, expectations and how to know whether representation could be the right next step.
Valerie Dobbelaere
Film Music Publicist, Strike A Score, BEValerie Dobbelaere is the founder of Strike A Score, a screen composers agency that both represents Belgian screen composers and promotes screen composers on a European level. She previously coordinated the music projects and film music industry activities at Film Fest Gent and the World Soundtrack Awards for over 10 years (concert productions, masterclasses, composition contest, the annual World Soundtrack Awards, album recording, industry events, international collaborations) and loved establishing the necessary platform to both established and young & upcoming film (music) talent. Valerie has worked with several renowned composers such as Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer, Elliot Goldenthal, James Newton Howard, Alberto Iglesias, Giorgio Moroder and Alexandre Desplat. Valerie joined Post Bills, a Brussels based press and communication agency specialising in PR for film, TV & music projects for 5 years before creating her own agency.
Annette Gentz
General manager, Universal Music Publishing Classics & Screen / Annette Gentz Music & Film Arts, DEAnnette Gentz is one of Germany’s premiere agents for film music. Her company Annette Gentz Music & Film Arts has been supervising score productions for European and international films for more than 10 years, collaborating with film directors and producers, music supervisors, choreographers, theatres and opera houses, publishers and record labels worldwide. Previous film projects she was involved in include soundtracks by among others Michael Nyman, Volker Bertelmann, Dascha Dauenhauer, Carsten Nicolai/ Alva Noto, John Gürtler & Jan Miserre, Freya Arde, Annette Focks and Max Richter. In May, 2023 Annette Gentz has joined Universal Music as General Manager GSA, Classics & Screen | Ricordi.
Matthijs Kieboom
Composer, NLMatthijs Kieboom has been an active film and television composer since 2009. His music combines strong themes, memorable melodies, and a unique fusion of genres and sonic textures. His credits include the British series Van Der Valk, the legendary German crime series Tatort, the first Saudi IMAX film ESAAF, Piraten van Hiernaast, and documentaries including Wolf, Wild, and Like Tears in Rain. He received Young Talent awards at both Transatlantyk and FMF Krakow, won a Buma Film Music Award, and is also an orchestrator and principal teacher of Film & Game Composition at ArtEZ Conservatory.
Amber Roner
Presenter and programme maker, Story Art Studio, NLAmber Roner has been giving stories a platform as a freelance presenter and multimedia journalist for nearly 20 years. She does so with great energy as a host, moderator, and program maker for events, podcasts, TV, and radio shows. Over the years, she has worked with organizations including ESNS, ADE, Sublime, and Omroep ZWART. You may also recognize her voice from the Buma Music in Motion: Behind the Track podcast, where she speaks with media music composers about their work. In addition to music, Amber enjoys speaking about topics such as sports, talent development, mental health, sustainability, leadership, diversity and inclusion.