Now in its 11th year, the Annual Guild of Music Supervisors “State of Music in Media” Education Conference continues to be the leading educational event of music in media. Let’s take a look back at recent years and celebrate how far we’ve come! We hope you’ll take your own photos this year while making some new memories. Be sure to use the #GMSCon2025 hashtag and tag us on social media!
Real to Reel: The Art of Syncing & Scoring Music Documentaries
11:30AM-12:30PM (pg 15)
One World, Many Sounds: Global vs Regionally Focused Music Strategies in Gaming
12:45-1:45PM (pg 15)
Beyond the Score: 2025 Emmy Nominated Composers
10:30AM-11:30AM (pg 28)
Music Licensing 201: Live Mock Negotiation
12:15-1:15PM (pg 11)
The Most Memorable Songs Synced to Picture & Their Lasting E ect on Pop Culture
2:45-3:45PM (pg 17)
The Music of Big Mouth: Going through “Changes” with Singing Tampons, Freddie Mercury and Megan Thee Stallion
3:45-4:45PM (pg 27)
Sampling to Sync: The Business and Creative Realities of Repurposed Music
5:00-6:15PM (pg 23)
Soundtracks in the Making: 2025 Emmy Nominated Songwriters
3:00-4:00PM (pg 29)
What’s the Budget?
Navigating Di erent Budget Tiers In Trailers
5:00-6:00PM (pg 17)
SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW TO TAKE YOU TO OUR MOST UP TO DATE SCHEDULE ON THE SCHED. APP
GET MORE DETAILED PANEL INFO, BIO FOR PANELISTS AND PLAN YOUR DAY!
Dear Members and Friends,
As leaders of the Guild of Music Supervisors, we are so happy to welcome you to the 11th annual GMS ‘STATE OF MUSIC IN MEDIA’ CONFERENCE. We always seek to present the highest caliber of panels educating on the craft of Music Supervision, and today is no different. The Education Committee has put together an amazing program for you all, and we must commend co-chairs Emoni Escobar and Mandisa Henry for spearheading the team to make it all come together.
The GMS Conference is held for the purpose of sharing knowledge about the craft of Music Supervision as well as highlighting other valuable aspects tied to what we do, including music clearance and negotiating, the song selection process, music creation and sampling, the role of music supervisors in various medias, and more.
In honor of this year’s theme of “Celebrating Original Music & Iconic Soundtracks in Visual Media,” today’s programming features panels highlighting the music teams behind Wicked as well as the animated series Big Mouth, the power of working with longtime collaborators, and a look at the creative and business landscape of film soundtrack albums over the decades. We are thrilled to begin our day with iconic drummer, DJ, director and music producer, Questlove in conversation with former GMS President Thomas Golubić about music and the cultural impact of soundtracks.
Emphasizing how music supervisors have helped tell stories with music through the years and the impacts those placements have had on both artists and culture is a reminder of the power of a great sync and the importance of the craft of Music Supervision
It is always a special day for us when we can bring our community together. 2025 has been a challenging year for Los Angeles, for the media industry, and for all who knew and are still grieving our friends Robin Kaye, Tom Deluca, and Budd Carr. But gathering is healing, and celebrating music and the craft of Music Supervision was a purpose they believed in. Robin, Tom, and Budd were people who gave back, took others under their wings, and encouraged them to be the best they can be. Let’s channel that spirit today by befriending each other, building connection, and learning the highest standards of the craft.
We thank every member of the Education Committee and our GMS staff and volunteers whose hard work makes this day possible.
We thank our sponsors for supporting this community and showing up when we need them. We couldn’t do it without you.
Lastly, we thank YOU for being part of today’s GMS Conference. We love this community and are so glad you are here!
Sincerely,
Lindsay Wolfington & Heather Guibert President and Vice President, The Guild of Music Supervisors
Welcome to the 11th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors State of Music in Media Conference!
As the GMS Education Committee, we are thrilled to welcome you to this year’s conference—a day designed to inform, inspire, and empower our global community of music and media professionals. Each year, we curate programming that reflects both where our industry is today and where it’s headed. This year’s theme brings us back to the very beginning.
Soundtracks are our origin stories. They’re what sparked our passion and led many of us into this work. To honor that, this year’s theme—“Celebrating Original Music & Iconic Soundtracks in Visual Media”—spotlights the music that shaped culture and the behind-the-scenes efforts that brought it to life.
From House Party to Wicked, Encanto, Big Mouth, The Color Purple, The Talk, Severance, and Monsters, to unforgettable titles like Clueless, The Best Man, The Mask, and The Bodyguard—and spanning mediums from global ad campaigns to hit podcasts, and games developed by industry leaders like Riot Games and 2K, this year’s programming reflects the many forms visual media can take and the vital role music plays in all of them.
We’re especially proud of this year’s Career Advancement Track, thoughtfully built to support those entering or advancing in the field. From “Music Coordinator: What’s Their Role Again?” to the interactive “HEARD: Live Listening & Sync Feedback” and our “Sampling to Sync” session, each panel was crafted to offer actionable insight and help attendees walk away with answers to the questions they arrived with. For our virtual attendees, we’ve also included a live mentor session, ensuring that career development remains accessible across formats.
In addition, we’re honored to feature three outstanding Emmy-themed panels. These sessions highlight some of the best in our craft at the highest level—spotlighting excellence in scoring, supervision, and songwriting across television and film.
Whether you’re exploring the layers of a licensing negotiation, learning how to budget for episodic television, or simply taking in the collaborative spirit of this community, we hope this conference leaves you with renewed clarity, tools you can carry forward, and inspiration that reconnects you with the “why” that brought you here in the first place.
Many thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, speakers, and behind-the-scenes teams who made this day possible.
And lastly, please remember that everyone is still adjusting to new norms across our industry. Be courteous in your networking, be human in your approach, and be open to forming new bonds. That’s how we build the future—together.
With gratitude, The 2025 GMS Education Committee
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION WITH QUESTLOVE:
Music, Culture & the Power of Storytelling
A keynote conversation with Questlove exploring how music and iconic soundtracks shape culture, connect generations, and build legacy in visual media.
auditorium — 9:30am-10:15am
MUSIC LICENSING 101: Cleared for Sync
New to clearance? This foundational session breaks down who’s involved, what rights are needed, and why it matters.
gc 160 — 10:20am-11:20am
MUSIC LICENSING 201: Live Mock Negotiation
Step inside a live sync negotiation and see exactly how the deals get done.
GC 130 — 12:15pm-1:15pm
EXPLORING THE EVOLVING MEDIA LANDSCAPE OF PODCAST MUSIC SUPERVISION
This panel explores how new media is exploding and is leading the way in video consumption and how that impacts music supervision and the expansion and creation of jobs.
msa 003 — 10:20am-11:20am
CLEARING THE REAL: Sync, Rights & Fair Use in Docs
Documentaries have their own rules for music because unlike feature films, they follow a narrative - we show you how to understand these rules.
MSA 003 — 3:00pm-4:00pm
ONE WORLD, MANY SOUNDS:
Global vs Regionally Focused Music Strategies in Gaming
Explore how music in games with global audiences can authentically reflect local cultures while still connecting across borders. This panel dives into the creative and strategic approaches behind regionally inspired yet universally resonant soundtracks for today’s worldwide player bases.
gc 160 — 12:45pm-1:45pm
REAL TO REEL:
The Art of Syncing & Scoring Music Documentaries
Explore the art and responsibility of scoring documentaries about iconic artists.
gc 160 — 11:30am-12:30pm
HOW ICONIC IS TOO ICONIC : Navigating Overexposure of Popular Music in Ads
This panel debates if iconic music in ads risks overexposure and conflicting associations, potentially eroding a brand’s unique sonic identity.
msa 005 — 12:30pm-1:30pm
SYNC & STAGE: Navigating Music in the Live TV Spotlight
Explore the complex music licensing landscape for live TV, from booking artists to securing crucial performance rights and navigating distribution.
msa 005 — 3:45pm-4:45pm
THE MOST MEMORABLE SONGS SYNCED TO PICTURE & THEIR LASTING EFFECT ON POP CULTURE
A look behind the scenes of iconic syncs that launched careers and defined moments.
gc 160 — 2:45pm-3:45pm
WHAT’S THE BUDGET?
Navigating Different Budget Tiers in Trailers
The era of streaming, along with industry disrupting historical events, have altered an already changing landscape in trailers and the music placed in them. We will discuss the different processes and approaches for campaigns ranging from micro indies to studio tentpoles.
GC 130 — 5:00pm-6:00pm
GMS DEI AND THE CALL FOR MENTORS!
The goal of the DEI Committee is to help push the music supervision industry into a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable direction. In service of that, the committee works to program relevant panels for the Guild and runs the popular Mentorship Program. And it’s now time for the next round!
This program matches working music supervisors with vetted mentees for a low-commitment-high-reward mentorship matchup!
We are halfway through round 4 of the Mentorship program, working with 22 pairings this round. This brings up our total to 143 handpicked pairings! Mentors and mentees alike have rated the overall satisfaction with their experience as 4.56 out of 5 on average.
Are you a working music supervisor in the Guild looking to give back, with a nominal time investment (one hour a month)? Sign up to be a mentor! Scan the QR code.
prospective mentees: your application is not open yet, stay tuned!
Hear what some of our mentorship participants are saying:
I had a positive experience with the Guild of Music Supervisors mentor program! The GMS-provided weekby-week guide made the program manageable and our meetings were substantive. My mentee Ana Sang, was a smart and engaged mentee and it was a very good match between mentor and mentee. We had a productive and enjoyable experience working together, and I have great confidence in Ana’s future success. I also really learned from Ana as well and I would recommend the program to others. I am confident that in the near future that Ana will be as successful as I know she will be and she will end up hiring me for jobs!
-Janet Rich, mentor
This was my first time as a mentor with the Guild of Music Supervisors, and it was truly a rewarding experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to teach my mentee about our field, and was very impressed by her thoughtful questions and the drive she has to succeed in this industry..
-Peter Davis, mentor
AUTHENTIC STORYTELLING: Elevating Diverse Voices in Music for Film & TV
Join us for a dynamic conversation on how AAPI and BIPOC storytellers are reshaping film and TV—and how music plays a powerful role in building cultural authenticity and connection. From unexpected cross-cultural fandoms to the legacy of fusion in Blaxploitation Films and hip-hop culture, discover how soundtracks amplify stories and unite communities.
msa 003 — 12:15pm-1:15pm
I’m grateful that The Guild recognizes the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in this work and built a program to assist aspiring music supervisors of color. I genuinely appreciate this program, my mentor, and her willingness to be a resource to me beyond this program. The curriculum is fantastic - it’s genuinely like a music supervision course.
-Ayana Jones, mentee
My partnership with my mentor has been invaluable. While having a regular 9-5, on the side I’ve been very slowly working my way into freelance music supervision since 2014. I’ve taken formal classes, I’ve read/owned books, I’ve done an internship, I follow music sups on socials, you name it. My mentor has helped me make sense of how to apply the things I learned, in addition to teaching me new things. He’s extremely patient with me, never makes me feel like I’m asking a stupid question, is excited about my projects and happy for me and he genuinely wants to help me succeed. I’m very grateful for the pairing and I feel that we will remain in contact afterwards. This opportunity has truly been a blessing in my life and I can’t wait to see what happens for me next.
-Amber Flanagan, mentee
HEARD:
Live Listening & Sync Feedback Session
A live, interactive session where your music meets the minds of sync pros.
Auditorium — 4:00pm-5:00pm
LIVE MENTOR SESSION (Virtual)
This is an interactive, live session for our virtual audience to explore questions around advancing your career in the entertainment industry and navigating the transition from support roles to leadership positions. In-person attendees can watch along!
auditorium — 10:20am-11:00am
MUSIC
COORDINATORS: What’s Their Role Again?
A conversation demystifying the important role of Music Coordinator
msa 005 — 10:20am-11:20am
SAMPLING TO SYNC:
The Business and Creative Realities of Repurposed Music
As covers and music with samples become more popular in film, TV, and advertising, it opens both creative doors and licensing hurdles. This panel explores the real-world challenges and rewards of using loops, interpolations, and classic samples in sync.
gc 160 — 5:00pm-5:15pm
To
sponsorship@guildofmusicsupervisors.com
BEHIND THE MUSIC OF
A conversation with the masterminds behind bringing the music of Wicked from stage to set to screen.
auditorium — 11:15am-12:15pm
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION:
THE POWER OF LONGTIME COLLABORATORS
Join acclaimed director Reginald Hudlin and Grammy-winning composer Marcus Miller for a keynote conversation as they explore the vital creative collaboration between director, composer, and music supervisor.
auditorium — 2:45pm-3:45pm
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: Iconic
Soundtracks — Then and Now
Join this panel of iconic Music Supervisors behind soundtracks like Clueless, Reality Bites, The Bodyguard, Wayne’s World, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Best Man, The Mask, Moulin Rouge! and Elvis to discuss both the creative and business processes behind releasing Film Soundtrack Albums and how it has changed over the decades. auditorium — 5:15pm-6:15pm
THE MUSIC OF BIG MOUTH:
Going through “Changes” with Singing Tampons, Freddie Mercury and Megan Thee Stallion
For eight seasons Big Mouth both grossed out audiences and hit them right in the feels, in no small part due to the music. “Changes” gave new life to the late Charles Bradley’s career. The end credit songs became a vehicle for music discovery and comedy. And the original songs got everyone from David Thewlis to Martin Short to Adam Levine in the recording studio. The music team on the show discusses the origin and process behind all.
gc 150 — 3:45pm-4:45pm
2025 EMMY NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING MUSIC SUPERVISION
Emmy-nominated Music Supervisors break down the sound and strategy behind this year’s most music-forward shows auditorium — 12:30pm-1:45pm
BEYOND THE SCORE: 2025 Emmy Nominated Composers
Emmy-nominated composers pull back the curtain on the creative process behind this year’s most compelling television scores.
gc 130 — 10:30am-11:30am
SOUNDTRACKS IN THE MAKING:
2025 Emmy Nominated Songwriters
Join us in a conversation with Emmy-nominated songwriters and take a journey through the process of creating memorable songs in industry-celebrated productions.
GC 130 — 3:00pm-4:00pm
MEMBER SESSION 1:
Tools, Tips, & Truths for Associate Members
An open, off-the-record conversation designed exclusively for Associate Members of the Guild. Join Danny Exum, GMS Board Member, for an honest discussion about navigating Guild resources, building meaningful industry relationships, and how to get more involved with the Guild. Bring your questions — this is your space to ask anything.
MSA 109 — 1:15pm-1:45pm
MEMBER SESSION 2:
A Conversation with the Recording Academy
We are pleased to invite you to “A Conversation with the Recording Academy”, a private GMS member Meet & Greet with the Los Angeles Chapter staff, elected leaders and music creators, industry professionals active in local membership. Come and learn more about submitting for or getting involved as a Recording Academy member, meet fellow sync professionals who are already members or in leadership, or ask questions about the GRAMMY Awards process.
MSA 109 — 5:00pm-5:45pm
ABOUT THE GUILD
The Guild of Music Supervisors is a 501(c) non-profit organization with the mission to promote the craft of music supervision for the mutual benefit of all media stakeholders in film, television, documentaries, advertising, trailers, video games and emerging media. The Guild is a professional and educational resource for Music Supervisors and those working in related fields across the entertainment and media industry.
guildofmusicsupervisors.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Lindsay Wolfington | President Heather Guibert | Vice President
LINDSAY WOLFINGTON
MADONNA WADE-REED
DANNY EXUM
MELISSA CHAPMAN
JENNIFER SMITH
AMINÉ RAMER
TODD PORTER
HOWARD PAAR
JONATHAN LEAHY
JOEL C. HIGH
HEATHER GUIBERT
NOT ALREADY INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY?
We warmly invite and encourage you to join us and become an active part of the GMS family. Though only qualified music supervisors and coordinators are able to join as full GMS Members, our community is inextricably interwoven with those working in the surrounding fields of publishing, labels, music creation, and other roles related to music and media. This latter group makes up our Friends of the Guild, an integral part of our community. The absolute best thing that we can offer as a guild is community support and a path toward relationships, and the absolute best way to experience these offerings is by jumping in and becoming involved. Join one of our many committees, attend and/or volunteer at our events, and get involved with one of our many initiatives. We are absolutely dependent upon the dedication and involvement of our Members and FOG in order to make positive change.
Scan the QR code for more info!
8:30AM
9:00AM - 9:30AM
9:30AM - 10:15AM
10:20AM - 11:00AM
11:15AM - 12:15PM
12:30PM - 1:45PM
2:45PM - 3:45PM
4:00PM - 5:00PM
5:15PM - 6:15PM
AUDITORIUM
DOORS OPEN
OPENING REMARKS
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: MUSIC, CULTURE & THE POWER OF STORYTELLING FEATURING QUESTLOVE AND MODERATED BY THOMAS GOLUBIĆ (SEE PAGE 10)
LIVE MENTOR SESSION (VIRTUAL) FEATURING ANGELA ASISTIO, DAVID GOLDBLUM, KATIE ROMANOVICH (SEE PAGE 22)
BEHIND THE MUSIC OF WICKED FEATURING STEPHEN OREMUS, GREG WELLS, MAGGIE RODFORD, AND MODERATED BY MIKE KNOBLOCH (SEE PAGE 26)
2025 EMMY NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING MUSIC SUPERVISION
FEATURING EVYEN KLEAN, IAN BROUCEK, SCOTT HANAU, MATT BIFFA, DEVOE YATES, AND MODERATED BY LILY MOAYERI (SEE PAGE 28)
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: THE POWER OF LONGTIME COLLABORATORS FEATURING MARCUS MILLER, REGINALD HUDLIN, AND MODERATED BY YVETTE METOYER (SEE PAGE 26)
HEARD: LIVE LISTENING & SYNC FEEDBACK SESSION FEATURING MORGAN RHODES, DERIC BERBERABE, JORDAN YOUNG, AND MODERATED BY LAMARCUS MILLER AND EMONI ESCOBAR (SEE PAGE 22)
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: ICONIC SOUNDTRACKS THEN AND NOW FEATURING BONNIE GREENBERG, MAUREEN CROWE, KARYN RACHTMAN, AND MODERATED BY ANTON MONSTED (SEE PAGE 27)
10:20AM - 11:20AM
12:15PM - 1:15PM
3:00PM - 4:00PM
10:20AM - 11:20AM
12:30PM - 1:30PM
3:45PM - 4:45PM
MSA 003
EXPLORING THE EVOLVING MEDIA LANDSCAPE OF PODCAST MUSIC SUPERVISION FEATURING HERNAN LOPEZ, JASON KLARFELD, SCOTT VELASQUEZ, AND MODERATED BY RACHEL BRODSKY (SEE PAGE 14)
AUTHENTIC STORYTELLING: ELEVATING DIVERSE VOICES IN MUSIC FOR FILM & TV FEATURING JERMAINE STEGALL, BURT BLACKARACH, LAVA HONG, MIRANDA KWOK, AND MODERATED BY CHARLES LEVAN (SEE PAGE 19)
CLEARING THE REAL: SYNC, RIGHTS & FAIR USE IN DOCS FEATURING JUSTIN FELDMAN, LISA MOBERLY, CAROLINE BERSCH, AND MODERATED BY JONATHAN FINEGOLD (SEE PAGE 14)
MSA 005
MUSIC COORDINATORS: WHAT’S THEIR ROLE AGAIN? FEATURING HUDSON SAXE, SARAH CHAPECK, LAYLA O’MALLEY, ASIA WAGNER, AND MODERATED BY SAMI POSNER (SEE PAGE 23)
HOW ICONIC IS TOO ICONIC? NAVIGATING OVEREXPOSURE OF POPULAR MUSIC IN ADS FEATURING RODGER SHO GEHRMANN, CAROL DUNN, ANNA WEHR, ANH DO, AND MODERATED BY SHARON JENNINGS (SEE PAGE 16)
SYNC & STAGE: NAVIGATING MUSIC IN THE LIVE TV SPOTLIGHT FEATURING RICK KRIMBEL, SARAH BROCKMAN, ALEXANDRA WATERS, AND MODERATED BY LINDSAY WOLFINGTON (SEE PAGE 16)
1:15PM - 1:45PM 5:00PM - 5:45PM
10:30AM - 11:30AM
12:15PM - 1:15PM
3:00PM - 4:00PM
5:00PM - 6:00PM
MSA 109
MEMBER SESSION 1: TOOLS, TIPS, & TRUTHS FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS FEATURING DANNY EXUM (SEE PAGE 29)
MEMBER SESSION 2: A CONVERSATION WITH THE RECORDING ACADEMY (SEE PAGE 29)
GC 130
BEYOND THE SCORE: 2025 EMMY NOMINATED COMPOSERS
FEATURING MICK GIACCHINO, KATHRYN BOSTIC, THEODORE SHAPIRO, ARIEL MARX, BRANDON ROBERTS, ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ, AND MODERATED BY ANGELA SHEIK (SEE PAGE 28)
MUSIC LICENSING 201: LIVE MOCK NEGOTIATION FEATURING JIM CATHCART, THUY LAM, RACHEL MARDER, RACHEL LAUTZENHEISER, AND MODERATED BY LINDA OSHER (SEE PAGE 11)
SOUNDTRACKS IN THE MAKING: 2025 EMMY NOMINATED SONGWRITERS FEATURING TONY GILROY, CHRISTOPHER LENNERTZ, SEAN DOUGLAS, AND MODERATED BY SHELLY PEIKEN (SEE PAGE 29)
WHAT’S THE BUDGET? NAVIGATING DIFFERENT BUDGET TIERS IN TRAILERS FEATURING MEGAN BARBOUR, ASHLEY YOUNG, TYLER TORRISON, AND MODERATED BY ALI PISTORESI (SEE PAGE 17)
10:20AM - 11:20AM
11:30AM - 12:30PM
12:45PM - 1:45PM
2:45PM - 3:45PM
3:45PM - 4:45PM
5:00PM - 6:15PM
GC 160
MUSIC LICENSING 101: CLEARED FOR SYNC FEATURING CAROLYN OWENS (SEE PAGE 11)
REAL TO REEL: THE ART OF SYNCING & SCORING MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES FEATURING ALLISON WOOD, TRINA-MARIE HILL, JENNIFER SMITH, AND MODERATED BY AURELIA BELFIELD (SEE PAGE 15)
ONE WORLD, MANY SOUNDS: GLOBALLY VS REGIONALLY FOCUSED MUSIC STRATEGIES IN GAMING FEATURING JONNY ALTEPETER, DAVID KELLEY, MASON LIBERMAN, AND MODERATED BY ADRIAN WOMACK (SEE PAGE 15)
THE MOST MEMORABLE SONGS SYNCED TO PICTURE & THEIR LASTING EFFECT ON POP CULTURE FEATURING JULIANNE JORDAN, LAURA WEBB, MARY RAMOS, JEN ROSS, AND MODERATED BY STEVE NICE (SEE PAGE 17)
THE MUSIC OF BIG MOUTH: GOING THROUGH “CHANGES” WITH SINGING TAMPONS, FREDDIE MERCURY, AND MEGAN THEE STALLION FEATURING AMANDA KRIEG THOMAS, ABE FOREMANGREENWALD, MARK RIVERS, AND MODERATED BY QIANA CONLEY AKINRO (SEE PAGE 27)
SAMPLING TO SYNC: THE BUSINESS AND CREATIVE REALITIES OF REPURPOSED MUSIC FEATURING DEBORAH MANNIS-GARDNER, GEORGETTE BIVINS, TUFF MORGAN, QUINCY JONES, AND MODERATED BY A.D. JOHNSON (SEE PAGE 23)
