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Learn how to master tracks to the highest professional standards

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6 WEEK ONLINE COURSE

SYNC LICENSING

WRITING FOR TV, FILM, ADVERTS, VIDEO GAMES AND TRAILERS

Next Course Start Date: Saturday 23 November 2024

Learn how to carve out a career writing and producing music for TV shows, films, blockbuster movie trailers and video games. Learn how to get the briefs from the labels, how to land the big placements, and how to craft your songwriting and producing to ensure maximum success

5 Live Classes, once a week, with Aubrey

Join me every Saturday for 5 weeks where I will open the lid on the sync world. The live classes are 1.30hrs long and are taught in an engaging, interesting and honest style. Be as interactive as you like during the classes and learn from someone who is active in this fascinating part of the industry.

Join a supportive, thriving community

Join the course Whatsapp group and build connections with other students on the course. Learn from each other, build relationships and share tracks and ideas.

Masterclass with Producer from Universal Production Music UK

The course included a special live-streamed, pre-recorded class with a music supervisor (producer) from Universal. Learn from the horses mouth on what it takes to get the briefs from them, and how to land the BIG placements.

Can't make a live class? Watch the class recordings instead

Need to watch a class again? Or can't make the live classes? Watch any or all of the class modules as many times as you like as each class is recorded with lifetime access to all recordings and course materials.

Printable class resources with each module

Each module also comes with a selection of printable class materials such as desktop guides, guidance booklets, sync company directories and  infographics to further support your learning. Read them. Print them. Come back to them. Available with lifetime access.

Course Certificate Upon Completion

At the end of the course you'll get to submit a mix for review/feedback. You'll also earn a Certificate in  'Synchronisation Licensing' accredited by Echodrop Records which has integration with LinkedIn and can be used as a professional certification

x5 LIVE CLASSES WITH AUBREY
x1 MASTERCLASS WITH UNIVERSAL

Each module will focus on a specific part of sync licensing, including Production Music, Video Games, Movie Trailers, and writing bespoke compositions for TV and film - ensuring a wide and detailed overview of the sync licensing industry.

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Module 1: Production Music

During this first module you'll get an in-depth overview of sync licensing. Then you'll learn about the exciting world of Production Music - including an analysis of how you can launch your Production Music careers, learning about writing to briefs, how much you could earn and how to get the work from the labels.

 

Specifically, this module will cover:

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  • What is Sync Licensing? Overview of the sync world

  • The different routes into Sync Licensing

  • Overview of Production/Library music in sync

  • The majors vs the independents

  • Production and mix standards required

  • Overview of a typical brief

  • Cutdowns: the 15, 30, 60 min edits

  • Exclusive vs non-exclusive agreements

  • Copyright

  • Developing a showreel

  • Royalties and upfront fees explained

  • Monitoring where your songs have been played

  • External resources to help your career

  • Aubrey's route into sync licensing

  • Developing your own album and pitch for the labels

Module 2:

COMPOSING THE SCORE FOR

FILM & TV & ADVERTS

If you want to compose the next theme tune for a hit Netflix series, or you want to land the job as music composer for the next big Hollywood Blockbuster, this module will explore the different routes and challenges to developing your career as a freelance composer. We'll discuss how to get the opportunities, the big bucks on offer, and how sound design is paramount in modern movie trailers.

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We'll also look at how you can get your music placed in TV adverts with high end brands such as Nike and Virgin TV and how this side of the industry works.

 

Specifically, this module will take a look at:

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  • The role of a composer of scores for TV 

  • The role of a composer of scores for films

  • Working with editors, directors and producers

  • How to get opportunities in this field of work

  • The latest composition trends

  • Production requirements

  • Sound design elements

  • Adverts: how to get your music placed in TV adverts and what to expect

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Module 3:

COMPOSING FOR VIDEO GAMES

Composing and producing for video games can be exciting and artistically challenging. We'll take a look at the various routes into this role, how to construct your tracks for video games and what is expected of you.

 

Specifically, this module will cover:

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  • Video Games music trends for 2024-2025

  • Understanding musical blocks inVideo Game composition

  • Writing themes and effects for characters, pre-empts, and game resolutions

  • Writing for virtual reality / immersive games

  • Importance of 'loopable' music

  • Salaried writer vs freelance writer for Video Games

  • Expected earnings as a Video Game Composer

  • Contracts, terms and conditions

  • The various income streams from Video Games

  • The key Video Game companies and how to access them

Module 4:

TRAILERS (MOVIE & TV)

Composing for Movie and TV Trailers can be a very lucrative business, yet highly competitive. We'll delve into the sound design capabilities, understanding the role of music supervisors and trailer houses and looking at how you can land a lucky spot as the composer of a hit movie trailer. 

 

Specifically this module will cover:

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  • The Trailer Houses and how they work

  • The role of the Music Supervisor in movie trailers

  • The role of sync agents

  • Movie Trailer trends for 2023-2024

  • The importance of sound design

  • Structuring your trailer compositions

  • Expected income from movie trailer music

  • Directory of key Music Supervisors

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MASTERCLASS WITH PRODUCER FROM UNIVERSAL PRODUCTION MUSIC

The course also features a special 1.30 hour pre-recorded masterclass with a Producer (Music Supervisor) from Universal Production Music UK. This special masterclass will uncover the requirements needed to become a successful writer/composer in the Production Music world. You'll learn how Universal scout for potential new writers, what they're looking for, what standards are required and the production values needed to really be successful in Production Music. 

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Module 5:

PRODUCING & MIXING: THE STANDARDS & REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in sync you will need to tailor your writing, production and mixing skills for use in TV, film and video games. You'll explore optimised song structures, the importance of lyrical themes, writing to picture, creating mutiple track edits and ensuring you meet the high production standards required.

 

Specifically this module will cover:

 

  • Tailoring your tracks for maximum placements

  • Ensure your track translates on screen

  • Mixing standards

  • Production values

  • How to achieve authenticity in your tracks

  • Use of loops and samples in sync

  • Preparing your track for mastering

  • Crafting lyrics for sync - how does it differ to commercial lyric writing?

  • Case studies: successful placements

  • Expected deliverables: stems, cutdowns

  • Working with session musicians

  • The role of the Performing Rights Organisation (PRO)

Professional Course Certification

Earn a qualification in Sync Licensing

At the end of the course you will be awarded with a Certificate in Synchronisation Licensing that you can use as a professional certification. Your digital certificate also comes with integrated sharing with LinkedIn and social media.

Module 6: LIVESTREAMED MASTERCLASS WITH UNIVERSAL PRODUCTION MUSIC

During the final module Aubrey will livestream a pre-recorded 1.15 hour masterclass with a producer (music supervisor) from Universal Production Music.

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Even though the class is pre-recorded, it will be live-streamed in real-time with Aubrey on hand to answer your questions via the chat and Q&A functions, with a Q&A session at the end.

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During this special masterclass you will learn, first-hand, about the operations of Universal Production Music - how they choose their composers, the high standards they require, their most popular musical trends, and how you can pique their interest for briefing work.

 

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ABOUT YOUR COURSE TUTOR

Aubrey Whitfield is a Music Producer, Songwriter and Mix Engineer from the UK. She has worked with the likes of The Shires, Kelly Clarkson, J-Fla, Simon Webbe (Blue), George Shelley (Union J) and is a go-to writer/producer for EMI, APM, Universal and BMG. Many of her songs have been featured in TV and film, including Netflix Shows Love Is Blind, Love Never Lies as well as popular shows Love Island, Coronation Street, Catfish, Bake-Off, Home & Away and Hollyoaks.

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Aubrey has also been nominated for a 2024 'Mark Award' for Best Rock, Indie Alternative Track. The Mark Awards are an annual event run by the American Production Music Association and awards the best songs in Production Music and Sync for that year.

 

She has also been a mentor for new composers on Universal Production Music's roster as part of the inspirational 100% HER initiative.

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Aubrey has been teaching music production and mixing to her 180k+ Instagram followers for a number of years via a mixture of informative posts and Reels. Due to demand, she started running online Masterclasses in 2022 and has since successfully run over 18 online courses.

Check out what other students are saying:

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Nyssa Ray

“I'm so glad I signed up to do this course taught by UK producer power house Aubrey Whitfield. It was beyond valuable to learn new techniques and even re-learn some fundamentals I'd forgotten about mixing and mastering. I've been implementing her teaching into every project since taking the course and my clients couldn't be happier with quality of my productions. Thanks Aubrey”

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@nyssa_ray_recordings

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Jo Maloney

"I have learnt more from Aubrey’s courses in the last 6 months than I have in 6 years and I can now actually visualise making a career in music production. You are provided with support and feedback whenever you need it from Aubrey and I never once felt silly when asking her a question. Aubrey has a knack for making all of her students feel incredibly comfortable no matter what your skill level. Aubrey’s courses have been a game-changer and I can’t wait to start my 4th one later on in the year.”

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@dragnfly.industri.music

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Lisa McKenzie

"I’ve taken several courses with Aubrey so far, and I’ve been growing so much as a producer as a result. She is so generous with her knowledge, expertise, and making her courses accessible, that it’s obvious she really wants everyone to grow and thrive in their music careers. She has a knack for clarifying complicated concepts and processes and making goals feel so much more achievable. I highly recommend Aubrey as a teacher and mentor!”

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@porch.songs

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Lily Brokenshire

“I learnt things in producing and mixing that I never knew existed! I am so pleased I found Aubrey and her courses because I’m able to learn online with a really energetic and warm producer/teacher and my skills have sky rocketed. I have just bypassed years of learning in 6 weeks”

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@apexxsongs

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Steven Jackson

"I took Aubrey's Mixing and Mastering Course and it was outstanding! I learned a lot from the entire course but what stood out to me was how she took one of the most complex and misunderstood subjects of mixing (Compression) explained and demonstrated it in the most clear and concise way I have ever seen. She makes it all so clear. A true worthwhile course".

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@Therealxfactor1

Ready? Enrol online below to secure your place

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