FAQ

Do you accept international applicants?

Yes. However if selected, international applicants may be asked to cover a portion of their airfare to the program.

I work with another composer - can we apply as a team?

Unfortunately, we do not accept applicants who are a part of a team. We have resources and a program structure built around supporting individual composers only at this time.

When will I know if I have been selected or not?

Participants will be notified if selected or not, in early June 2019.

If accepted into the program what do I have to pay?

You do not have to pay to attend this program. If accepted as a Sundance Fellow, your costs associated with getting to and attending the lab are covered. This includes travel, lodging and meals onsite.

How many people apply to the Lab and how many then are accepted?

We expect over 800 applicants this year for 8 Fellowships. 

If I am not accepted into the program can I receive feedback on my application?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of submissions we receive we are unable to offer individual feedback to applicants.

Who are the Advisors at the Lab?
Advisors to the Lab are different year to year but have included composers such as: John Adams, Jeff Beal, Terence Blanchard, Martin Bresnick, Carter Burwell, George S. Clinton, Stewart Copeland, Miriam Cutler, Danny Elfman, John Frisell, Osvaldo Golijov, Camara Kambon, James Newton Howard, Mark Isham, Michael Kamen, Laura Karpman, Rolfe Kent, Blake Neely, Thomas Newman, Heitor Pereira, Basil Poledouris, Graeme Revell, Edward Shearmur, Shirley Walker, Harry Gregson-Williams, Alex Wurman, and Christopher Young.

Directors have included: Alison Anders, Gregg Araki, Miguel Arteta, Orlando Bagwell, Jon Else, Cary Fukunaga, Ulu Grosbard, Vikram Jayanti, Lawrence Kasdan, Kasi Lemmons, Peter Medak, Stanley Nelson, Robert Redford, Ron Shelton, Gus Van Sant, Ron Shelton, Jessica Yu, John Waters, and Mark Waters. Also Film Music Agents Robert Messinger, Richard Kraft and Vasi Vangelos.

Music Editors, Supervisors, and other professionals include: Scott Johnson and Adam Smalley, Joe Bini, Jon Burlingame, Vivian Hillgrove, Susan Jacobs, Tracy McKnight, Walter Murch, Toby Shimin.

What type of musical samples are we looking for? 
The Film Music Program encourages applicants to show a range of their musical style within the 15 minutes of samples provided, while remaining true to their own original voice. We advise submitting multiple tracks versus a single 15 minute score as this provides our team the best chance of understanding the artists’ range, creativity, and style.

Application Process

To apply, click sign in or sign up in the top right to create/login to an account. Then select the 2019 Film Music And Sound Design Lab from the dropdown.