Music used to play a low-key background role in films and series, but we can now say with confidence that is has taken one of the leading roles. This is partly because of the hard work of music supervisors. They are the driving force behind this shift, and their thorough strategy together with publishers, labels and other parties has paid off. Music supervision and music placement in trailers, games, TV series, movies and ads provides a significant revenue stream for the music industry. Get to know these amazing music supervisors and hear about their work and creative process.
Karen Spearing
Music Supervisor for TV & Music Consultant, UKKaren Spearing is an independent music supervisor based in the UK. With a background in creative and management roles at Banijay Group, Sony Music Publishing, Ace Records & BSKYB, she brings a dual perspective of both the music and TV production industries. Credits include BAFTA winning comedy Alma’s Not Normal (BBC); James May: Our Man In India (Amazon); The Circle (Netflix); The Fence (Indie Feature). Karen is a full member of the UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors and part of the BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) Craft voting panel.
Kathleen Wallfisch
Music Supervisor, Music In Vision, DEKathleen Wallfisch is a Music Supervisor and former cellist, graduating from The Royal Academy of Music in London. Based in Berlin and London, her company, Music In Vision, contracts musicians for on-camera work. Recent work includes Napoleon (Apple Studios), Gladiator 2 (Paramount), both directed by Ridley Scott, and a German documentary, Die Zeit Verbrechen for X-Filme/Paramount Plus.
Polona Kasal
Music Supervisor, Resister Music, UKWith a background spanning from NTS radio to being a musical artist and electronic music enthusiast – Polona will find the deeper cuts you’ve always wanted but didn’t know existed. As a Music Supervisor at London based music agency RESISTER, Polona always seeks to bring a Creative left field approach to sourcing music for brands.
Mark Gordon (moderator)
Founder/Composer, Score Draw Music, UKMark Gordon is a composer and media producer from N Ireland who runs Score Draw – a suite of companies working between music, film and television. The company are currently producing a 52 part animated music show for BBC with guest voices from artists including Wet Leg, Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), Tom Odell, Sam (Architects), Guy Garvey (Elbow) and many more. His composition work in Score Draw Music has included co-writing music for BBC, Netflix, Disney, Amazon Kids, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids.