EP 53: Film Music in Flux: Royalties, AI & the Streaming Shakeup

EP:53 - Film Music in Flux: Royalties, AI & the Streaming Shakeup 

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 Is streaming saving film—or sabotaging musicians? 

 In this eye-opening episode of Sync Riffs, host Charles Levan sits down with composer, producer, and UCLA film scoring professor Brian Ralston for a candid conversation about the new realities of the entertainment industry. From shrinking royalty checks to the rise of AI, they unpack how the post-COVID landscape, globalized production, and tech innovation are changing everything for composers, filmmakers, and music professionals. 

🎵 Brian pulls back the curtain on: 

 The real math behind streaming residuals 

 How AI is reshaping creativity—and the copyright chaos it's leaving behind 

 Why education + entrepreneurship are now essential for success in sync & scoring 

 What aspiring composers need to know about work-for-hire, licensing, and protecting their work 

 Whether you're a film buff, sync artist, or just trying to understand the business behind the music, this conversation is packed with insights, stories, and takeaways that could reshape your career. 

 🎧 Hit play, subscribe, and don’t forget to drop your thoughts in the comments! 

 Chapters  

 00:00 Introduction and Current State of the Industry 

02:39 Streaming Models and Their Impact on Residuals 

05:36 The Shift from Traditional to Streaming Revenue 

08:32 The Evolution of Film Production and Distribution 

11:12 Challenges in Hollywood: Strikes and Market Changes 

13:58 The Rise of Micro-Budget Films and Global Production 

16:46 The Role of Technology in Film Production 

19:44 Tax Incentives and the Globalization of Hollywood 

22:31 The Future of Movie Theaters and Audience Engagement 

25:16 AI in Film and Copyright Issues 

36:21 Navigating Copyright in the Age of AI 

39:44 The Limitations of AI in Creative Expression 

43:14 The Business of Film Music Education 

55:43 Understanding Work for Hire Agreements in Film Music 

 👉 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite takeaway!  

 #SyncRiffs #FilmMusic #MusicRoyalties #StreamingImpact #AIMusic #BrianRalston #MusicForFilm #SyncRiffs #MusicIndustryTips #CopyrightMatters #ComposersLife #HollywoodChanges #MusicInTheAgeOfAI 

 🎙️ 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. Subscribe to the channel for future episodes!