Announcing Reel Change: The Fund for Diversity in Film Scoring

New York, NY (October 27, 2020) – New Music USA announces the launch of Reel Change: The Fund for Diversity in Film Scoring, powered by SESAC and composer Christophe Beck, administered by New Music USA.

Responding to the fact that the vast majority of films are scored by white men, Reel Change is a five-year grants and mentorship program for composers of diverse backgrounds who have been marginalized in film composition.

This fund — which is now accepting applications from US-based composers — 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.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling timeline by an advisory board made up of leading composers of film music, including Christophe Beck, Jongnic “JB” Bontemps, Kris Bowers, Miriam Cutler, Chanda Dancy, Tony Morales, and Pinar Toprak. Members of this advisory board will offer additional support and mentorship for interested applicants.

Applications are now open: https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/announcing-reel-change/

Read the full press release here: https://www.newmusicusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/4016-PR-Reel-Change-Film-Fund-SESAC-Christoph-Beck-New-Music-USA.pdf

Composer Christophe Beck says:
"For too long, the community of composers who create scores for Hollywood films has been dominated by white men. Throughout my career, I’d been aware of this and told myself that someday, I’d like do something about it.  That 'someday' is finally here.

The Reel Change fund was born not only of a desire to promote opportunity for underrepresented composers, but also to enrich the art of film scoring itself by embracing a wider breadth of musical perspectives. With deep gratitude to my partners at SESAC and New Music USA, I’m proud to witness this idea finally come to fruition."

Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA, says:
"In 2019, 94% of the top 250 films at the box office were scored by men; no data has been published about the representation of BIPOC composers in film scoring. Reel Change is the first fund to tackle these inequities. We’re proud that New Music USA will make this program happen, and we look forward to hearing from music creators whose voices will define the soundtracks of today and tomorrow."

Erin Collins, SESAC’s VP of Film, Television and Developing Media, says:
“Christophe Beck and I knew that something needed to be done to solve the problem of underrepresented voices in the world of film scoring. When we suggested this project, SESAC’s chairman and CEO John Josephson immediately agreed and approved one million dollars towards the effort. We’re excited to hear fresh, innovative scores that more accurately represent the world we live in, and can’t wait to see these composers smash through the glass ceiling. This has been a long time coming, and SESAC is honored to be part of the journey.”

Composer  Kris Bowers says:
"The type of content that’s been made with people who look like me has affected the way that I see myself as a person of color. Pushing the boundaries and figuring out how we can be represented in beautiful, complex and positive ways is something I want to be part of.