SESAC & New Music USA Renew Funding For Reel Change: The Fund For Diversity In Film Scoring

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SESAC Performing Rights and New Music USA have announced an additional three-year commitment to Reel Change:The Fund for Diversity in Film Scoring.

Reel Change is a grant and mentorship program for composers of diverse backgrounds who have been marginalized in film composition, powered by SESAC Performing Rights and composer Christophe Beck, and administered by New Music USA. First established in 2020, the fund supports film projects currently in production, where additional funding and mentoring would help composers at a pivotal moment in their careers. Four to six grants averaging $20,000 will be allocated each year of the program. Supportable expenses include composer compensation, musician fees, recording and sound mastering fees, studio expenses, orchestration, production equipment, and more. In its first five years, Reel Change has supported 29 grantees and has granted over $450,000 in funding.

“We’re thrilled to continue our work with New Music USA to progress the world of film scoring and to advocate for underrepresented voices,” says Erin Collins, Senior Vice President of TV/Film at SESAC Performing Rights. “At SESAC Performing Rights, we strongly believe in the mission of this fund and are eager to build upon the successes that have occurred since Reel Change started five years ago.”

Vanessa Reed, President & CEO of New Music USA, says, “New Music USA is proud to continue our collaboration with SESAC Performing Rights and Christophe Beck as delivery partners for the Reel Change fund. We are grateful for this robust support of composers from backgrounds historically underrepresented in film scoring and we believe that the continuation of this program will help strengthen the soundtracks of films today and in the future.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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