Get your music
featured 
in movies with 
UnitedMasters SELECT

Sync your song in blockbuster movies and promotional campaigns. Reach new fans and earn money when your song is licensed.

How To Get Your Music in Movies:

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SELECT Yourself

Browse Exclusives

Get Synced

Sign up for UnitedMasters SELECT and create your artist profile to start distributing music.

Once your songs are on streaming platforms, browse sync opportunities in the "Exclusives" tab of the app.

Submit your track(s) for consideration and check your email for important updates from our Sync Licensing team.

Sync licensing boosts artist exposure, driving new fans and revenue through media placements.

What are the benefits of Sync Licensing for Film?

Sync is a great way for artists to monetize their music outside of streaming royalties. 

Sync licensing has become a popular and lucrative way for artists to get their music heard and increase their exposure. Sync licensing involves the use of music in combination with visual media, such as films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. There are many benefits of sync licensing that can help artists take their careers to the next level.

UnitedMasters offers independent artists unparalleled opportunities to get their music featured on TV, video games, and sporting events through extensive media partnerships.

Artists can establish relationships with studios and brands to expand their earning opportunities.

From Your Smartphoneto the Silver Screen

Tap into the power of music in film. Submit your tracks for exclusive sync placements on memorable soundtracks and engaging movie experiences.

Reach 200 Million+ NBA Fans

Submit your music to the NBA through UnitedMasters for more exposure and a chance to be featured in highlights on @NBA social channels, NBA TV, and NBA.com.

Get Your Music on ESPN

UnitedMasters and ESPN are looking for new sounds to be used in sports programming like SportsCenter, First Take, The Jump, and more.

AK's track “Made One” got synced on ESPN

UnitedMasters SELECT artists get access to exclusive sync licensing opportunities across TV, Movies & Video Games -- find out how to get your song placed.

OUR PLATFORM

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Tap into all the tools you need on any device.                                            

Sign up now to release songs, apply for exclusive Brand & Sync deals, manage payouts, and more.

How To Get Your Music in Movies FAQs

HOW DO I KNOW IF I CAN LICENSE MY MUSIC FOR SYNCS?

If you're an artist looking to license your music for sync, there are a few things you should consider:

Ownership of the music: In order to license your music, you need to own the copyright for the composition and the sound recording. If you've written and recorded the music yourself, you likely own both. However, if you've collaborated with other artists or used samples from other songs, you may need to obtain permission from those artists before you can license your music.

Music publishing: You should ensure that your music is properly registered with a music publishing company, as they can help you with the licensing process and ensure that you're getting paid for the use of your music.

Music genre and style: The type of music you create will determine the types of shows and movies that are a good fit for your music. For example, if you create instrumental music, you may have a better chance of licensing your music for use in television shows, video games and movies that need background music.

HOW DO I GET MY SONG IN MOVIES?

Getting your music played in movies can be a great way to increase your exposure and reach a wider audience. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of getting your music into movies:

SELECT Yourself: Start your 14-day free trial of UnitedMasters SELECT to start taking your career to the next level.

Create Your Account: After upgrading to SELECT, you'll want to create or link your artist profile to start distributing music.

Distribute Your Music: When you're ready, you can release your music from the mobile app or on web.

Submit For Exclusives: Now that your music is up on streaming platforms, you're ready to submit for film sync. Navigate to the 'Exclusives' tab in the app to browse live sync opportunities.

Licensing and Royalties: Make sure you understand the licensing and royalty requirements for using your music in films. Obtain the necessary licenses and permissions, and ensure that you are properly registered with a performance rights organization (PRO) so that you can collect royalties for the use of your music in films.

Be Persistent: Getting your music played in movies is a competitive process, so be persistent and keep submitting your music. It may take time, but with hard work and determination, you can increase your chances of getting your music into a movie soundtrack.

These are some steps you can take to increase your chances of getting your music played in movies. It's important to remember that getting your music synced is a challenging process, but with hard work and persistence, you can increase your chances of success.

WHAT KIND OF LICENSING AND PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES DOES UNITEDMASTERS OFFER?

UnitedMasters is a music distribution and marketing platform that provides sync licensing and placement opportunities for independent artists.

In terms of licensing, UnitedMasters helps artists secure sync licenses for their music in film, television, commercials, and other media. This includes identifying and securing placement opportunities, negotiating deals, and collecting royalty payments on behalf of the artists.

UnitedMasters also works with brands and music supervisors directly to find the right music for their projects. We have partnerships with companies like Bose, Pepsi, State Farm, and Diageo, which allow us to provide placement opportunities to our artists.

DO FILM STUDIOS PAY FOR MUSIC?

Yes, film studios typically pay for music when it's used in their productions. This is usually done through a licensing agreement, which gives the studio the right to use the music in exchange for payment to the copyright owner. The cost of the license can vary widely depending on a number of factors, such as the popularity of the song, the length of the intended use, and the type of use (e.g., background music vs. featured placement in a soundtrack).

In some cases, a film studio may commission original music specifically for a film, and in that case, the composer and/or music production company would be paid for their work. In other cases, the studio may choose to use pre-existing music, in which case they would need to obtain the appropriate licenses.

It's also worth noting that there are different types of music licenses, such as synchronization licenses (for matching music to visual content) and performance licenses (for playing music in public), so the specific terms and costs of a music license can vary depending on the intended use.

DO ARTISTS GET PAID WHEN THEIR SONGS ARE PLAYED IN MOVIES?

Artists typically get paid when their songs are played in movies. The payment is made through a performance rights organization (PRO), such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the United States. These organizations collect performance royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distribute them to their members. The amount of money that an artist earns from television plays depends on many factors, including the specific PRO, the country in which the broadcast takes place, the type of television program, and the terms of the artist's agreement with the PRO. In general, television plays can generate significant income for artists and can be an important part of their overall revenue stream.

To register with a performance rights organization (PRO), you can follow these steps:

Research the different PROs: There are several PROs around the world, each with different requirements and processes for registration. Some of the most well-known PROs include ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the United States, PRS for Music in the UK, and SOCAN in Canada.

Determine your eligibility: Each PRO has its own requirements for membership, such as being a songwriter, composer, or music publisher. Make sure you are eligible to join the PRO you are interested in.

Gather required information: To apply, you will need to provide basic information about yourself, including your name, address, and contact information. You will also need to provide information about the songs you have written, including the title, lyrics, and a recording if available.

Submit your application: Each PRO has a different process for submitting an application, but it is typically done online. You may need to submit your application, along with any required materials, through the PRO's website.

Wait for a response: After submitting your application, it may take several weeks or months to hear back from the PRO. Once your application has been approved, you will become a member and will be eligible to receive performance royalties for your songs.

Note that the process for registering with a PRO can vary depending on the specific organization and your country of residence, so be sure to check the specific requirements for the PRO you are interested in.

WHO PAYS MUSIC ROYALTIES FOR MOVIES?

Music royalties for movies are typically paid by the film studio or production company that uses the music in their production. When a film studio wants to use a piece of music in their movie, they must obtain the appropriate licenses, which give them the right to use the music in exchange for payment to the copyright owner.

In some cases, the payment for the license is made directly to the artist or composer of the music. In other cases, the payment is made to the artist's music publisher, who then distributes the revenue to the artist according to their agreement. UnitedMasters will make sure that your earnings are collected properly by the PROs and paid out in full.

HOW CAN UNITEDMASTERS HELP GET MY MUSIC IN MOVIES?

UnitedMasters can help artists get their music in movies in several ways: Licensing Services: UnitedMasters can assist artists with obtaining the necessary licenses and permissions to use their music in movies, TV shows and more. This includes negotiating and securing synchronization licenses, which are required to use music in timed relation with visuals, and performing rights licenses, which are required to perform the music publicly.

Royalty Collection: UnitedMasters can also help artists collect royalties for the use of their music in movies. By collecting performance royalties on behalf of the artist, UnitedMasters can ensure that the artist is properly compensated for the use of their music.

Music Promotion: UnitedMasters can promote an artist's music to music supervisors, who are responsible for selecting and licensing music for use in TV shows and movies. By highlighting an artist's music to music supervisors, UnitedMasters can help increase the chances of the artist's music being chosen.

By offering these services, UnitedMasters can help artists navigate the complex world of music licensing and increase the chances of their music being used in films. However, there are no guarantees, as the final decision on what music is used is typically made by the music supervisors and producers.

WHAT DOES THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE TO GET MY MUSIC IN FILMS?

UnitedMasters is making it easier than ever for independent artists to land their music in films.

1. SELECT Yourself: If you don't already have a UnitedMasters SELECT account, you'll need to create one. This can be done through the UnitedMasters website or mobile app.

2. Upload Your Music: Once you have an account, you can upload your music to the platform. UnitedMasters accepts a variety of file formats, including MP3, WAV, and AIFF.

3. Submit For Sync: UnitedMasters has partnerships with various film studios and music supervisors, who are constantly looking for new music to include in their programming. You can submit your music for consideration through the UnitedMasters platform.

4. Wait for feedback: Once you've submitted your music, you'll need to wait for feedback from film studios and music supervisors. This process can take several weeks or even months, as there are many factors that go into selecting the right music for a movie, TV show or commercial.

5. Get Paid: If your music is selected for use, UnitedMasters will handle all of the licensing and royalty collection on your behalf. You'll receive compensation for the use of your music, which will be paid out to you on a regular basis.

Note that getting your music on TV is a competitive process, and there is no guarantee that your music will be selected. However, by partnering with UnitedMasters, you'll have access to a wider network of music supervisors and film studios, increasing your chances of success.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET YOUR MUSIC IN MOVIES?

With UnitedMasters SELECT, you can access exclusive sync opportunities at no additional cost.

Start your 14-day free trial of UnitedMasters SELECT to start taking your career to the next level.