Jennifer Smith -music supervisor
“Sonic Storyteller”
about rat dance party
We assist new, rising, or established media companies and creatives bring their creative music vision to life as well as making sure all deliverables are correct and on time. We have over a decade in the film and music industries and are set apart by our vast well rounded experience including Live TV and podcasts, in-depth knowledge, contact database, and our ability to curate music that amplifies the story.
Our passion is elevating the creative vision with the singularity of sound.
Jennifer Smith
FOUNDER + MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Jennifer Smith is a multi-talented music supervisor, producer and sonic-storyteller. Drawing from her theater background, she approaches creation and collaboration from a distinct story and character-focused lens. Through her Los Angeles-based music supervision company, Rat Dance Party, Jennifer’s work can be heard in projects like Netflix’s Deadly Illusions, directed by Anna Elizabeth James, and CBS/Paramount+’s Why Women Kill, created by Marc Cherry and produced by Ron Howard’s Imagine entertainment. Jennifer also music supervises Paramount+’s wide-ranging docu-series Behind the Music, in which she helps build the story world of artists and bands across many genres and decades.
Jennifer specializes in music supervision services for all types of media including new media, podcasts, live television, scripted, unscripted, and documentary projects. Past projects highlights include Showtime’s American Christmas starring Tara Reid, Gravitas Ventures’ Simchas and Sorrows, and festival favorite documentaries including Tribeca Festival 2023 selection Uncharted featuring Alicia Keys and her songwriting camp “She is the Music,” and SXSW 2023 selection Black Barbie: A Documentary, directed by Lagueria Davis. She also recently completed work on Italian cult hit Caverna, which has been garnering rave reviews, and previously music supervised Amazon’s award-winning feature The Transcendents.
Prior to her work for Rat Dance Party, Jennifer worked with the teams at Dancing with the Stars and American Idol ABC Season 1, where she was in charge of clearing the rights for hundreds of songs. She also previously worked at Kobalt Music as part of the synchronization team, handling all things across music, creative and business verticals including extensive talent relations.
Jennifer is well-versed in US Union Guidelines for Music and Media Rights, experienced with budgeting and working to strict deadlines. Through her industry network and experience, she is able to negotiate effectively in her client’s best interests while retaining the integrity of their creative vision. Media rights are a tremendous undertaking and her experience and expertise can help a production avoid costly delays or mistakes.
Jennifer is a board member of The Guild Of Music Supervisors, and is a member of The Television Academy, The Recording Academy, Women In Film, Women In Music and Women In Media. Her mentors include legendary music supervisor Bonnie Greenberg and theater teacher Krista Carson Elhai. A Southern California native, Jennifer also teaches at the LA College of Music for the Music Supervision and Music Business and Songwriting programs.
work : as seen on
award winning projects
The Transcendents (2018)
Written & Directed by: Derek Ahonen
Synopsis: Roger, a Rasputin-like drifter, is in search of the ultimate indie-rock band, The Transcendents. What he finds is less than transcendent: a band who has all but abandoned society, a host of unpleasant memories, and more questions than answers in search of his own existential fulfillment. Set in the Wonderland of America's Do-it-Yourself music scene, The Transcendents is a dark comedic fairytale that straddles the line between the absurd and the all too real.
Black Vietnam: Into The Light (2020)
Written & Directed by: Ann C James
Black Vietnam veterans heal their symptoms of PTSD by retelling their stories of war and racism and engaging in holistic practices like meditation, tai chi and Reiki.
Meeting Brown (2019)
Written & Directed by: Ana Lydia Monftaco
Synopsis An afternoon game forces a LatinaX woman to make a life altering decision about her impending marriage to her white fiancé. Will she choose her culture or a future with the man she loves?
Tender (2020)
Written & Directed by: Felicia Pride
Synopsis: After an unexpected one night stand, two women in different stages of their lives, share an even more intimate morning after.
music supervision
Rat Dance Party provides creative services for TV, films, podcasts, and new media. Our relationships with publishers and labels allow us to find licensable music that meet any project budget. This includes script spotting, composer vetting & hiring, original song creation, on camera needs, and sourcing to final delivery, as well as detailed budget estimates. We strive to elevate the vision of every project with the character of sound.
music clearance
We provide master and composition clearances, quote approvals, budget reports(including union costs), long form agreement reviews, cue sheets, and compilation of distributor’s rights packages.
consulting
Rat Dance Party works with producers, show runners, and directors who have a strong vision for their music choices. We act as a sounding board while helping to curate the music that will accentuate each project. We can also spot troubles before they become costly or suggest alternative music that fits the theme. RDP’s passion is in helping every project achieve its creative vision.
learn
For songwriters/producers/labels/managers that want to take their sync education to the next level, RDP offers personalized assessments and unique learning opportunities. We help creatives identify the obstacles that slow them down while working to develop a long-term plan to expand their business and find placement opportunities. Each program is tailored to your needs.
What makes our program different is we have a full circle experience working not only from the film maker point of view but also within a indie / major publishing / label environment.
We DO NOT provide third party pitching for sync.
RDP does not accept unsolicited material. We work with qualified music licensing companies, publishers, and labels who have vetted all aspects of the music.
Available for teaching opportunities, panels, podcasts, conferences, One-On-One listening sessions to discuss the music industry, licensing, and creative writing to brief for synch projects.
For media inquiries, please contact Andrew@impact24pr.com
Legal Representative Greenberg Glusker
party topics (aka news)
I am proud to share that the documentary film I supervised “Black Barbie” will be premiering at SXSW 2023. If you are going, check it out!! Press
Heard On PODCASTS such as: FEMTV / The Career Musician / Do Me A Solid / Geek Up! / And More!!
Indie Wire 2021 Called it A MUST SEE Panel!
let’s connect
For additional information and pricing, please contact us! We look forward to working with you!!
Submitting Your Music: RDP does not accept unsolicited music submissions. We work with qualified music licensing companies, publishers, and labels who have vetted all aspects of the music.