The music supervisors of the films “American Hustle” and “Muscle Shoals” and the television shows “Nashville” and “American Idol” were among the honorees at the fourth annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards, held Feb. 26 at the Mack Sennett Studios in Hollywood.
Timed to coincide with Oscar season, the Guild awarded Sue Jacobs for her work on “American Hustle” in the category of Motion Picture Over $35 Million. Jacobs, like many many of the recipients, credited a team of people, in her case singling out her director.
“This belongs to David O. Russell,” she said. “[The award] makes those 17-hour, six-month days feel a little lighter.”
Warner Bros. Pictures was named top film studio and its president of music Paul Broucek proudly introduced his team to the audience of studio executives, music supervisors and artists, predicting a win in the score category for Steven Price’s work on “Gravity.” Tops at the box office in 2013 with films such as “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “Her” and “The Great Gatsby,” the studio is off to fast start this year with “The LEGO Movie.”
Spiffier than in previous years, Guild president Maureen Crowe tapped an art director to distinctly light the rooms of the silent movie studio and had clips to accompany the announcement of nominees.
The presentation included performances from two Interscope artists: Aloe Blacc, opened the ceremonies with his six-piece band playing “Wake Me Up” and closed them with “The Man” and the young British band Rixton premiered their single “Me and My Broken Heart.” Leann Rimes, Bobby Womack, Rickey Minor, Ozomatli’s Asdru Sierra and Mark Batson were among the musicians who presented the awards alongside music supervisors such as Tracy McKnight, PJ Bloom and Jonathan McHugh.
“Every year I come here,” Breaking Bad music supervisor Thomas Golubic said in accepting the television drama award, “it feels a little valid.” He brought his team onstage to share in the award, encouraging other music supervisors build their business so they can bring more “talented young people” into the field.
Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow detailed his work in film and TV music, a stint that included hiring the Clash’s Joe Strummer to score a film and selecting songs for the heavily panned John Belushi biopic “Wired.” Universal Pictures president of music Mike Knobloch and Nike’s JT Griffith took turns delivering comedic bits at the podium.
Casual as the evening is, many of the honorees also spoke about their love of their work and music and moments when they feel they succeed. Maura Duval Griffin, honored for her “Saving Mr. Banks” trailer, said “we’re a community of competitors (in trailers), but we’re a community more than anything else.”
The recipients of the Fourth Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards were:
1. Best Music Supervision – Television Comedy or Musical
“Nashville” (Frankie Pine)
2. Best Music Supervision -Television Drama
“Breaking Bad” (Thomas Golubic)
3. Best Music Supervision – Television Long Form and Movies
“Behind the Candelabra” (Evyen Klean)
4. Best Music Supervision – Reality Television
“American Idol” (Robin Kaye)
5. Best Television Studio Music Department
ABC Entertainment | Disney Channel
6. Best Music Supervision – Documentary
“Muscle Shoals” (Jill Meyers)
7. Best Music Supervision – Independent Motion Pictures Under $10 Million
“The Place Beyond the Pines” (Gabe Hilfer)
8. Best Music Supervision – Motion Picture Under $35 Million
“Inside Llewyn Davis” (T Bone Burnett)
9. Best Music Supervision – Motion Picture Over $35 Million
“American Hustle” (Sue Jacobs)
10. Best Film Studio Music Department
Warner Brothers
11. Best Music Supervision in Games
“Grand Theft Auto V” – Rockstar Games (Ivan Pavlovich)
12. Music Supervision in Advertising: Brand
Apple – Dave Taylor
13. Music Supervision in Advertising (Music House and Agency, voting for body of work)
Jason Kramer (Elias)
14. Best Music Supervision in Trailers
“Saving Mr. Banks” Music (Maura Duval Griffin for Motive Creative)
The Fourth Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards was sponsored by Interscope, APM, BMG Audio Network, Megatrax, Ole, Music Box, Warner Chappell Production Music, TAXI, Killer Tracks, ABKCO, 19 Entertainment, SESAC, Harry Warren Entertainment, BMI and First Com.