From Beats to The Big Screen: J. Rhodes Talks Sync Licensing and Creative Business Strategies

Minding My Creative Business Podcast

Episode Summary

Welcome back to another enlightening episode of "Minding My Creative Business"! In today's episode, our hosts, Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. and ShySpeaks, dive deep into the world of sync licensing and creative entrepreneurship with our special guest, the multi-talented J. Rose. Discover how J. Rose has leveraged sync deals with major companies like Sony and NBC to turn his self-published music into a reliable revenue stream. Learn about his journey from a corporate marketing job to full-time music and film production, and the business tools he swears by, from Logic Pro for creating music to the organizational power of digital calendars and financial management with Numbers.

In this episode, J. Rhodes shares invaluable insights on the importance of relationships in the creative industry, the role of instrumental tracks in sync, and how to effectively seek out sync opportunities. We also delve into J. Rose’s educational contributions, including his book "These Beats Ain't Free" and his teaching at Berkeley, underscoring his passion for educating fellow creatives.

From discussing the nuances of running a production company to the critical importance of budgeting and revenue generation for projects, J. Rhode's unique blend of artistic and business acumen offers a masterclass in navigating the complexities of creative entrepreneurship. Whether you're an aspiring producer, a seasoned artist, or simply curious about the business side of creativity, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspirational stories. So, tune in, take notes, and get ready to elevate your creative business to new heights!

Timestamped overview

00:00 Produced for Grammy-winner Killer Mike, unforgettable experience.

05:48 "It's a Wonderful Plight" was creatively challenging.

07:53 Music ambitions deferred for financial stability and learning.

12:13 "House of Beats: Positive reality show for producers."

15:44 Start a crowdfunding campaign, show a trailer.

17:53 Film distribution: TVOD involves paid access.

20:01 Small platform buy led to significant profit.

24:12 Understanding music business critical for success.

27:38 Creative entrepreneurs require education for business growth.

30:02 Revenue comes from strategic platform partnerships.

34:12 Sync money is the best in music.

36:37 Sync focuses on instrumental music for media.

39:11 I prefer cinematic sounds and logic's central.

43:57 Friendship, understanding, and patience fuel creative success.

45:20 "King of Dallas": Most challenging film to produce.

48:35 Success depends on relationships and doing best.

52:17 J. Rhodes empowers creative entrepreneurs through education.

Key topics and bullets

Introduction to Sync Licensing and Its Benefits for Independent Artists

• Introduction to Sync by Producer S1
• Major Companies Interested in Sync Deals
• Examples: Sony, NBC, Peacock
• Value of Utilizing Existing Music
• Encouragement to Actively Seek Sync Opportunities

Business Models and Processes in Music Sync

• Different Business Models for Sync
• J. Rhodes' Introduction to Sync
• Importance of Instrumental Tracks for Sync

J. Rhodes' Production Tools and Organizational Systems

• Preferred Music Creation Tools
• Logic Pro, Machine by Native Instruments, Kontakt
• Business and Organizational Tools
• Gmail for Communication
• iCal for Scheduling
• Numbers for Financial Management

Importance of Relationships and Networking

• Value of Relationships in Creative Industries
• Developing and Maintaining Relationships
• Networking for Creative Entrepreneurship

Mindset for Success

• Appreciation of Current Achievements
• Enjoying the Journey
• Continuous Learning to Overcome Discomfort

Educational Contributions and Projects

• Book and Teaching Efforts
• "These Beats Ain't Free"
• Teaching at Institutions like Berkeley
• Podcast Mission
• Strategies, Structure, Self-development
• Invitation to Join Creative Corner Community

Delegation and Skill Development

• Producer vs. Production Company Roles
• Importance of Self-Development and Education
• Learn Various Tasks for Effective Management
• Past Experiences and Discernment

Budgeting and Revenue Streams

• Budgeting for Film Producers
• Understanding Revenue Creation
• Earning as a Music Producer
• Advances, Mechanical Royalties, Streaming Revenue, Sync Licensing

Success Stories from Sync Licensing

• Examples of Significant Earnings
• Involvement in Major Films and Future Projects

J. Rhodes' Career and Personal Journey

• Transition from Marketing Job to Music Full-Time
• Film Projects and Achievements
• "It's a Wonderful Plight"

Marketing and Crowdfunding Strategies

• Brand Loyalty and Trust
• Building Audience Trust for Crowdfunding
• Successful Fundraisers

Challenges in Film Production

• Producing Independent Films like "King of Dallas"
• Managing a Large Team on a Limited Budget

Tools for Presentations and Creative Endeavors

• Preference for Apple Keynote
• Using Final Cut Pro for Advertisements

Strategic Business Acumen

• Understanding Contracts and Splits
• Handling Business Roles within Creative Projects

Challenges in the Music Industry

• Maintaining Relationships with Artists
• Importance of Follow-ups

Authoring "These Beats Ain't Free"

• Inspiration Behind the Book
• Evolution into a Clothing Line and Scripted Series

Television and Reality TV Projects

• "House of Beats" Reality TV Show for Music Producers
• Plans for Future Seasons and Platform Distribution

Crowdfunding and Revenue Models for Film Funding

• Campaigns on Seed and Spark
• TVOD, AVOD, and SVOD Revenue Streams
• Strategic Release Plans for Maximizing Visibility and Revenue

Links & Resources:

• [Business Funding](https://www.creditsavnt.com) - Get your creative business funded through Credit Savant.
• [Creativepreneur Gear](https://www.whatstheirony.com) - Get your creative entrepreneur apparel from What's the Irony.

Closing Remarks: Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Mighty Migrator Business Podcast! We hope you found valuable insights and strategies to apply to your own creative journey. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more enriching discussions and expert advice in our upcoming episodes. Keep creating and stay inspired!

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ABOUT US We’re Ron & ShySpeaks, two music industry creators marching to the tune of entrepreneurship. Our goal is to help our creative peers keep in step by taking them behind the brands of some of wildly successful creative entrepreneurs. Our interview-styled podcast gives access to the strategy and structure that turn creative arts into viable 6, 7, and even 8 figure business!