Music-Focused Program Set for DISCOP Johannesburg

DISCOP Johannesburg, in partnership with ONGEA! Africa, is again hosting the DISCORE music rights and supervision program.

Launched last year at DISCOP Johannesburg, DISCORE is a sidebar program that targets the music industry across Africa with a focus on music production and supervision for content, licensing, synch deals and all the related implications. This year’s program, taking place over two days, will see a workshop for music industry practitioners, as well as a series of panel discussions aimed specifically at those working on both music and film.

Wednesday, November 14, will feature the Elevate your Pitch Workshop for Music Industry Practitioners. Thursday, November 15, will see a DISCORE Presentation, with Mike Strano, founding director for ONGEA! Africa. Synched IT!!: The Role of Music in Film, TV and Digital Content is also set for Thursday, among other highlights.

Strano said: “Since our launch in October 2017, DISCORE has made great strides in connecting African composers with music supervisors, working in advertising, film and television, from Africa and the United States of America. In DISCORE Abidjan (May 2018) and DISCORE Zanzibar (July 2018), where the legalities around synchronization are not well-known. So, over 50 participants benefited greatly from the training offered by SHEER Publishing Africa.”

Music supervisor and publisher at SHEER Publishing Africa, Mpumi Phillips, added: “Now back in Johannesburg, we’re pleased to be adding SynConnect to the program, which shall see composers and publishers of music pitching their work to music supervisors in advertising, film and television. In fact, popular television drama Rhythm City is putting a Sync deal on the table for any track deemed suitable.”

Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO of DISCOP markets, commented: “Music in film, television and digital content plays the role of costar and discussing the challenges faced by today’s composers in Africa for visual media makes a lot of sense. With the arrival of Netflix and other streaming platforms, music placement is changing and the DISCORE series will look at the trends and genres that directors and audiences respond to.”