Please listen to my demos at www.myspace.com/kendalconrad. I write all my own songs. I am Miss Pennsylvania Talent and was just selected to perform at the White House this past December. I perform at Hersheypark, Philadelphia City Hall, Bitter End in NY etc. Please listen to my original music. I have no agent, label or promoter or cowriter. I own the copyrights. Thank You, Kendal Conrad

Most music supervisors out there didn't mean to become music supervisors. Many of them had jobs in music - managing bands, DJing, booking clubs - and then they just kind of happened into it. There aren't that many music supervisors in the U.S. (or the world for that matter) so it's a very competitive field.

I actually went to USC as a film production major. Then I finished all my classes early so I picked up two minors - music production (which was a seriously crap program when I attended) and music business (which was absolutely amazing). Then I was a temp during the Summer of my junior year at Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group (Disney) in the music/soundtrack department for live action features. I witnessed how the music was selected for a film and all the work that goes into it. The very first film I worked on (as a lowly assistant to a director of music) was "10 Things I Hate About You." The film is now being turned into a TV show. Next I got offered a music coordinator gig (based on a recommendation from Disney) with music supervisor, Kevin Edelman. I got to put my music business minor skills to work and was lucky enough to work on Roswell (loved the music that was used on that show), Popular and Providence. Then I went on to a whole slew of other music jobs like working for a major music publisher, an independent music publisher, an independent film supervisor (Charles Raggio) and the current queen of music supervision (Alexandra Patsavas). I left Alex's company three years ago to go on my own and now I'm where I'm at.

That was probably WAY too much back story but basically you should just know that any music job is good to have. Know all kinds of music, even kinds you don't like, and know that this job isn't sitting around and listening to music all day. I really hate that some people think that. This job is awesome but it isn't a cakewalk. There's a LOT of paperwork and you have to learn what music will fit your budget and how fast it will clear. Every show has a different music budget so you have to get very creative and find artists and companies that will work with you.

There's no middle ground in music supervision...you are either the supervisor or you work for the supervisor. If you can, the best way into a job in music supervision is interning for a supervisor. Most supervisors only have one coordinator and the only way a job becomes available is if that coordinator leaves to work for someone else or goes out on their own. So if you're interning, you're learning how to do everything and it's an easier transition to hire you than an outsider. UCLA Extension also offers a music supervision class that was recently taught by music supervisor, Lindsay Wolfington (One Tree Hill, Ghost Whisperer). So check the Extension schedule for another class like that. Another alternative, snoop around film schools and offer to music supervise student films. Do licenses for people who want to screen at festivals. If you love many genres of music, are detail oriented, good with paperwork and are serious about doing music supervision, you'll find your way into this job.

Thank you for noticing the score! That's the genius of Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen! Most TV soundtracks don't include score cues as that's more of a film soundtrack kind of thing. But anything's possible.

Andrea: What an amazing job you've done supervising the music for Dollhouse! You truly are living the "American Dream" and it's wonderful to see a woman doing so well in the industry! Aside from the yummy goodness that is the Whedonverse, I've always loved the way (previously) unknown talented musicians are used in Joss's shows and as a female singer/songwriter who gets much inspiration from his amazing characters and storylines, it does my heart good, and helps me to keep my own dreams alive, knowing women like you are out there succeeding in a male dominated industry. I'm still giddy over the news of a 2nd Season of Dollhouse and once I can get my feet to stop doing the Happy Dance , and I can now uncross all my fingers so I can hold a pen lol, I've got a lot of new songwriting to do. It's so hard to even get anyone to listen to anything when you're not signed or have representation and you can't get signed until someone listens, and the circle continues. Do you have any advice as to how someone like me can pursue my own American Dream? And because it can't be said enough: Dollhouse Season Two!!! Those words just sound so good together!!!

Thanks for this, Andrea and Andrew - and I would so much like to hear more about the music selections for DOLLHOUSE - the music always fits beautifully, and like with BUFFY, introduces me to folks I wouldn't have otherwise heard.

Please do consider doing an expanded version of this article - there's more than a few of us that always track the music in Joss' shows with great interest. (And good on you, Andrea, for doing a great job with your great job. ; >)