Massive Music Entertainment Tackles Indonesian Film Industry’s Licensing Hurdles with End-to-End Music Services

Indonesian film production is getting a major boost as Massive Music Entertainment unveils comprehensive music licensing solutions aimed at streamlining one of the industry’s biggest challenges.

The music publisher, which represents over a thousand Indonesian composers, showcased their end-to-end services at JAFF Market 2024, presenting a unified approach to handling everything from music selection and licensing to budget management and CISAC standardized cue sheets.

“Understanding who’s in charge of the music that goes into credits is crucial knowledge for everyone on the crew,” said Aghi Narottama, the record producer and music director behind hits like “Quickie Express,” “Madame X,” and “Love for Share.” Narottama recalled facing significant licensing challenges in the early 2000s when working with projects containing multiple songs.

Reza Hidayat, head of licensing at Massive Music Entertainment, emphasized that music licensing should be prioritized during pre-production. The company is promoting the integration of both music supervisors and music directors in Indonesian film productions to ensure smoother workflow.

“It eases the producers’ job when there’s a music department that takes care of it all,” said veteran producer Tia Hasibuan, whose credits include “A Copy of My Mind,” “Impetigore,” “Grave Torture” and “Ave Maryam.” Hasibuan highlighted the value of working with a music department that understands filmmakers’ visions.

The company’s services extend beyond original scores and soundtracks to include sample clearance, and they’ve expanded their catalog to include licensed music from outside Indonesia. “Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to manage music used [in productions],” noted Libby Davitri, Massive Music Entertainment’s music supervisor and licensing specialist.

As Indonesia’s film industry continues its rapid growth, efficient music utilization management becomes increasingly crucial. Massive Music Entertainment’s comprehensive approach appears poised to address this growing need, making their services particularly timely for the evolving market.

The publisher’s efforts are already bearing fruit through ongoing collaborations, including their work with Come and See Pictures on Joko Anwar’s upcoming film “The Siege at Thorn High,” set for release in 2025.

The inaugural JAFF Market takes place alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) in Yogyakarta (Jogja) from Dec. 3-5.