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Film and TV: cha-ching! get up off your a$@

I would say that I get about 10 emails a week from people asking me if I will either send their music to music supervisors for them, or if I will tell them who it is that gets me all my placements so they can get in touch with that person. Well, the answer to the first question is, "hell no". (I will tell you why in a minute- I'm really not that mean). And the answer to the second question is- "I do". There isn't some magical person behind a curtain making this all happen. In my humble opinion, people who are looking for some one else to do all the footwork for them are either unknowledgable (not so sure that's a word) in this area - and thus should read this article- or they are just plain lazy. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and go with the first.

So let me explain my harsh response regarding pitching another artists songs. The reason is because this is a business. A songwriter is in the business of, for lack of a better term, "selling their songs". There are some cases where I would pitch another writer's song, but they are done with caution. If it is someone I immensely believe in and know of a project where their music would fit perfectly, and I am not putting myself in direct competition, pitching some one else's song in that case would be a nice thing to do. But again, this is business. Giving contacts away is like giving away precious jewels. If you are a songwriter, recommending another artist or someone else's song for a project should be done with a lot of thought and discretion.

Last week we covered the people responsible for placing songs in film and t.v. shows- we discussed music supervisors, presidents and vice presidents of music, and song pluggers. So, how do you find these people and get your music to them? Well, it's not as hard as you think... and you don't even have to go to school for it (damn, all those years I wasted going to college...) ;) . Pick a show that fits your style of music. Google "music supervisor" and the title of that show. Then find out which network airs this show- is it the WB, lifetime, mtv, ABC- just look in the bottom right hand corner of your tv or on your tv guide channel. Google that network and "president or v.p. of music". That shouldn't be that hard either. Now you have the pertinent information you need.

The next part is where it gets a bit harder. Most music supervisors and presidents of music won't just take your calls or read your emails, and getting them to listen to your music when they have 1000 other cd's on their desk will be next to impossible. You have to get creative. Find some sort of third party connection you might have- someone who might introduce you to that person or pass your music along- preferably not a fellow songwriter who is trying to do the same thing you are. Try contacting their assistant and become friendly with them. If they like your music, they might pass it on themselves. You have to be outgoing and aggressive without annoying them so much they want to run when they hear your name. As far as song pluggers are concerned, meet as many as possible. They have ins where you probably don't. They make it their daily business to know which shows are looking for music. Just be careful. You need to fully understand what they take before possibly signing your songs away.

Well, our time has come to a close once again. I would love to hear from you, so if you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to email me at info@karikimmel.com Also, if you're in the L.A. area, come out to my show at HOTEL CAFE on Monday, Sept. 29th at 8:30pm! www.hotelcafe.com It's gonna be a rockin monday night!! ;)

funfact: Kari is singing the sara lee/ high school musical commercial!! Check it out here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAfxOp4VDwY You can also download this song on itunes! Go to itunes and search "kari kimmel" the song is called "dance with joy". :)