Glossary of terms – S

Score Music

This is music that is used to underline scenes in a movie. It is heard by the audience of the film, but not directly part of the story (e.g. heard by the actors in the respective scenes –> see Source Music). It is used to e.g. prepare the audience of an action to occur or to underline the mood of the respective scene (happy, sad, lovely..). Score music is typically done the the assigned composer, but can also be provided by specialized libraries (in which case the music is sometimes being referred to as Scource music as a mixture of “Score” and “Source” symbolizing the character of being used as Score music, but licensed like a Source Music).

Scource Music

As the term may suggest it is a combination of source and score music. It refers to music that is used like score, however it is not prepared by the composer but licensed thourgh an external provider (e.g. a specialized library). Nowadays almost all TV series are only done with Source and Scource music and there is no composer hired to compose cues.

Sound Recording

Also referred to as “Master”. It contains all the musical elements that belong to the recording of a work including specific sounds and rhythmic variations. There can exist several Sound Recordings of the same musical work.

Source Music

The music that the actors in a movie can actually hear during a specific scene (e.g. music coming from a radio in a car scene)

Spotting Session

When a film is shot and edited, the spotting session is a meeting where the director and the composer agree on which songs/music will be used at which point in the film.

Synchronisation License / Sync License

Is the license to use a specific song in timed relation (synced) with the imagery or pictures of a film. In the US the term “Synchronisation License” is only used for the copyright side of a song (in contrast to the Master Use License).

Synchronisation Rights / Sync Rights

Are the rights to use a specific song in timed relation (synced) with the imagery or pictures of a film.


Glossary

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