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!

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