Who is responsible for supervising music in film, licensing songs and handling diegetic and non-diegetic music?

• A. Music Supervisor
• B. Sound Designer
• C. Composer
• D. Producer

Answer: (A)

The person who handles music decisions and rights for a film is the music supervisor. Their job spans selecting songs or working with the composer on the score, coordinating with the director and editor on where music should appear, and, crucially, clearing all licenses for any pre-existing music used in the film. They manage both diegetic music (music that characters can hear within the world, like a radio or a live band) and non-diegetic music (the score or soundtrack heard by the audience but not by the characters), ensuring timing, mood, and placement support the storytelling. They also negotiate rights, fees, and ensure licenses cover synchronization and master use, often coordinating with publishers, labels, and attorneys. While a sound designer shapes sound effects, a composer writes original music, and a producer oversees the project, the music supervisor is the one central to licensing and integrating music throughout the film.