First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff

🎧 Sign up for our Sync Like A Pro Academy:

https://charles-levan-s-school.teachable.com/p/sync-like-a-pro-academy-pre-recorded-1

🔊 Join, create, and connect with our indie music community here:

https://www.patreon.com/BlueBuddhaEntertainmentSyncCohorts

CONTACT US:

📨 Email: bluebuddha909@gmail.com

🔵 Blue Buddha Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com/

📸 Instagram: @‌bluebuddhaent @‌syncriffs

https://www.instagram.com/bluebuddhaent/

https://www.instagram.com/ciaraelwis/?hl=en

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

🏆 How does a song become the perfect soundtrack to a scene? What makes a TV opening sequence unforgettable? And how has streaming changed the world of music supervision?

In this episode of SyncRiffs, Charles sits down with Emmy-winning music supervisor Ciara Elwis to discuss the creative and business sides of music supervision, sync licensing, soundtrack curation, and music clearance.

From her classical music roots to her work on acclaimed projects including I May Destroy You and Margot's Got Money Troubles, Ciara shares how music supervisors collaborate with directors, producers, and artists to build authentic soundtracks that elevate storytelling. She also discusses how Netflix and the streaming era have transformed licensing, global clearances, and opportunities for independent artists seeking sync placements.

Whether you're a songwriter, composer, producer, publisher, music supervisor, or independent artist, this conversation is packed with practical insights and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the industry's leading voices.

🎵 In this episode:

• Ciara's journey from classical music training to music supervision

• Lessons learned from Spotify playlist curation

• How streaming transformed music licensing and supervision

• UK vs. US licensing and clearance practices

• Building authentic soundtracks that support story and character

• The creative process behind Margot's Got Money Troubles

• The power of title sequence music and memorable openings

• Working with directors, producers, and artists

• How music shapes emotional storytelling

• Opportunities for independent artists through sync placements

• Building relationships within the music supervision community

• Career advice for aspiring music supervisors

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Ciara Elwis

00:16 Classical Music Roots & Early Influences

01:00 Lessons from Musical Training

02:01 Spotify Playlist Curation Experience

03:08 Breaking Into Music Supervision

03:39 UK Music Licensing Then vs. Now

04:13 Early Career Projects & Industry Insights

05:36 Understanding UK Blanket Licensing Deals

06:44 Global Rights & Music Clearances

07:08 Netflix & The Streaming Revolution

08:55 Breaking Into Music Supervision Through Short Films

09:54 Building Relationships & Industry Connections

10:42 Margot's Got Money Troubles Soundtrack Case Study

11:11 Creating Authentic Soundtracks for Storytelling

12:32 Music's Role in Multi-Generational Stories

13:54 Live Recordings & On-Screen Performance Music

15:07 Recording Unique Scenes for Authenticity

17:19 Robin's "Blow My Mind" & Title Sequence Magic

19:28 Clearing & Re-Versioning Iconic Songs

22:02 Recontextualizing Music for Emotional Impact

23:00 Using Artist Stems During Editorial Development

24:39 How Music Changes Audience Perception

25:39 How Sync Placements Change Artists' Careers

27:48 Building Character-Driven Playlists

29:31 Music Supervision on I May Destroy You

32:28 Authenticity, Culture & Emotional Nuance

33:13 Industry Trends, Future Projects & Final Thoughts

Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment

This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2026

Support the show

How Emmy-Nominated Composer Roger Suen Crafted the Score for Bring Them Home

First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff

🎧 Sign up for our Sync Like A Pro Academy:

https://charles-levan-s-school.teachable.com/p/sync-like-a-pro-academy-pre-recorded-1

🔊 Join, create, and connect with our indie music community here:

https://www.patreon.com/BlueBuddhaEntertainmentSyncCohorts

CONTACT US:

📨 Email: bluebuddha909@gmail.com

🔵 Blue Buddha Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com/

📸 Instagram: @‌bluebuddhaent @‌syncriffs

https://www.instagram.com/bluebuddhaent/

https://www.instagram.com/syncriffs/

📸 Instagram: Follow Roger Suen @elcapproductions

https://www.instagram.com/elcapproductions/

Learn more at Roger Suen's website: https://elcapproductions.com/

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

How do you create a documentary score that feels authentic, cinematic, and culturally meaningful?

In this special AAPI Month episode of Sync Riffs, Charles sits down with Emmy-nominated composer Roger Suen to discuss the creative process behind scoring the documentary Bring Them Home.

Roger shares how he collaborated with Indigenous musicians, blended Native American musical traditions with hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary orchestral influences, and developed a score that supports both the sweeping landscapes and deeply personal stories at the heart of the film.

Whether you're a composer, filmmaker, music producer, or aspiring sync artist, this conversation offers valuable insights into documentary scoring, cultural representation in music, collaboration, and the evolving role of composers in modern storytelling.

🎙 In This Episode:

• Roger Suen's approach to documentary film scoring

• Researching and collaborating with Indigenous musicians

• Combining Native American traditions with modern genres

• Creating cinematic impact during low-budget filmmaking

• Building atmosphere through percussion, texture, and sound design

• Balancing epic visuals with intimate emotional moments

• Working across independent films and major studio projects

• Mentorship and opportunities for emerging Asian American composers

• The future of storytelling through music

⏱ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Roger Suen and Bring Them Home

01:17 – Learning from Indigenous musicians

01:47 – Blending Native American, hip-hop, jazz, and orchestral influences

02:34 – Creating powerful sounds for documentary storytelling

04:42 – Using percussion and traditional melodies to build emotion

05:42 – Balancing grand visuals with intimate human stories

07:21 – Cultural identity and representation in film scoring

🎧 Listen to more Sync Riffs conversations with music supervisors, composers, producers, and sync licensing professionals.

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture, and everything in between, including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors. We riff on sync strategies, music monetization, and the state of the music industry. Subscribe to the channel for future episodes!

Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment

This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2026

#RogerSuen #DocumentaryScore #FilmComposer #FilmScoring #BringThemHome #AAPIHeritageMonth #ComposerLife #MusicForFilm #SyncLicensing #FilmMusic #DocumentaryFilmmaking #MusicSupervisor #PodcastInterview #FilmComposerPodcast #AsianAmericanArtists

Read Less

Support the show

First Step For Sync? Get Your Music Meta-Data Done Right! - Grab your FREE guide on how to do this here: https://mailchi.mp/839e030188ce/9mc45541ff

🎧 Sign up for our Sync Like A Pro Academy:

https://charles-levan-s-school.teachable.com/p/sync-like-a-pro-academy-pre-recorded-1

🔊 Join, create, and connect with our indie music community here:

https://www.patreon.com/BlueBuddhaEntertainmentSyncCohorts

CONTACT US:

📨 Email: bluebuddha909@gmail.com

🔵 Blue Buddha Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com/

📸 Instagram: @‌bluebuddhaent @‌syncriffs

📸 Instagram: @iwill2020

https://www.instagram.com/iwill2020/

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

In this episode of Sync Riffs, Charles sits down with music industry veteran Isaac Williams to break down exactly how he built a career with 500+ sync placements across TV, commercials, and global artists.

From his early days in Chicago to working with K-pop artists, Isaac shares the real strategies behind landing placements, building a niche, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing music industry.

If you're an independent artist, producer, or songwriter trying to break into sync licensing, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply right away.

🌍 Topics Covered:

Sync licensing strategy & real-world case studies

Building artist brands

Behind-the-scenes of major commercial placements

International markets: Korea, Japan, and beyond

Industry trends shaping sync in 2026

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

00:11 – Isaac’s journey (Chicago → LA)

02:27 – Discovering sync licensing

05:04 – Finding your niche in sync

10:10 – 500+ placements: how it happened

13:12 – AI in music production

16:44 – TikTok & artist growth

19:52 – Track endings & technical tips

21:28 – Industry trends for 2026

27:48 – Conferences & networking

33:12 – Peloton sync story

37:26 – Final advice

🚀 Who This Is For:

Independent artists & producers

Songwriters interested in sync licensing

Musicians building a catalog for TV/film

Anyone trying to understand the future of music + AI

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture, and everything in between, including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors. We riff on sync strategies, music monetization, and the state of the music industry. Subscribe to the channel for future episodes!

Music: "Flying Tigers" from Magic Tiger

Podcast produced by Charles Levan, Blue Buddha Entertainment

This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2026

Support the show