Featured Member: Kyla O’Donovan

My favourite project I’ve worked on as Music Supervisor, just happened this year. It was a U.S. Independent feature film called “An Ode to Mary Jo”. Starring Rhiannon Giddens, Ed Helms, Steve Earle, Jason Isbell amongst others.

It was a fun, extremely challenging project in every way. It pushed me into new realms in my craft. It was such a music heavy project, and posed challenging in many ways, but I loved every minute of the challenge. I feel exceptionally proud with what we all accomplished, together, and I’m very grateful to the production, for the opportunity and entrusting in me to do the job as credited music supervisor.

Right before graduating from Berklee College of Music, I landed my first music supervision gig, on the Canadian Independent Feature Film, “Re:Uniting”. It all came about through a referral of a wonderful composer in the Vancouver community (shoutout to HT) . This film was truly a collaborative, labour of love on ‘all’ fronts.

“Re: Uniting” ended up doing it’s world premiere at Austin Film Fest, and brought me friendships and fellow collaborators that will last a lifetime. It truly helped me cut my teeth in the industry, I feel very grateful to have had that opportunity straight out of the gate at school. It helped me believe that I could do this thang! We also went home with six awards and twelve nominations at the 2024 Leo Awards. Including Best Picture.

I feel that because Music Supervision is such a niche job and field, that many, even in the film and TV industries or in media in general, don’t often fully understand it, or know how much we do. For that reason, it doesn’t always receive the recognition or support that it needs in the community. Plus, because Vancouver is smaller in size than other metropolitan cities in North America, we often need to work twice as hard to feel supported. Music Supervisors have been advocating to be unionized for a long time, and the fight continues, just as I know it does for other pivotal roles in music and post production.

Additionally, I think having a music supervision category at the Leo Awards, would be a wonderful step for the city of Vancouver. The Emmy’s do already, and hopefully someday the Academy Awards will, also. With this all said, I truly believe in Vancouver, and the quality of work we provide.

Mainly because many friends and colleagues were encouraging me to join, and I had heard wonderful things. Also, I know that when community is built and relationships are fostered properly, incredible collaborations can happen.

I am voting member of The Guild of Music Supervisors in the U.S and in Canada, and I can’t tell you enough what those communities have done for me. And I’m super grateful to now be a member of the VPA, as well.

My all time favourite Film Music Supervisor, who made me want to be a music supervisor in the first place, hands down, is Karyn Rachtman (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Clueless and more). She is the blueprint for me. Best of all, she happens to be the kindest and humble human being, always lifting the next generation up.

My favourite TV Music Supervisor, who I have been fortunate to be able to call my personal mentor for the last six years – Thomas Golubić (Six Feet Under, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Poker Face, Silo and more). One word- LEGEND!

Lastly, although I have my own independent company still, an additional mentor would most definitely be the founder of the company I work for at JTN Music. Emmy award winning Music Editor, Jason Tregoe Newman. He has shown me that true leaders are built from true leaders.

These three are masters at their craft, and have taught me that we should never stop learning or growing. Mentorship has truly changed my life.

TV: Breaking Bad (AMC), The OC (FOX), Insecure (HBO)

Films: Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction, A River Runs Through it, Garden State

Toughen up, buttercup! It’s the wild wild west out there.