Caleb Hsu

• Collaborate with filmmakers and studio executives/stakeholders to execute film music objectives from early developmental phases through to final deliverables
• Manage all original song & score deliveries as well as featured licensed music for Disney Animation & Pixar films and Disney+ series

• Handle all invoicing and budget tracking with internal and external finance partners, providing guidance on areas needing negotiation and leveraging relationships to reduce costs where appropriate

• Break down scripts and help draft preliminary budgets, flagging cost-prohibitive musical moments to filmmakers
• Work alongside SVP & VP of Music along with Cast to develop strategic music delivery timelines that coincide with each production phase across all projects, continually analyzing status and adapting priorities as needed
• Take comprehensive notes in music meetings, provide real-time status updates ordered by urgency, track action items, and implement music production & recording strategy for multiple overlapping timelines
• Track and organize incoming song demo pitches throughout songwriting process and create consolidated pitch presentations to filmmakers,
• Manage scheduling simultaneous talent recordings, orchestral score production logistics, and track music progress in conjunction with animation pipeline, development/layout schedules, strategically pivoting and adapting workflow as needed
• Work with Disney Casting and union contractors to organize and hire talent including AFM musicians, SAG vocalists, and Local 700 union engineers, mixers, and sound/score editors
• Prepare and process AFM contracts along with SAG session reports, union timesheets, and IATSE engineer timecards in regulation with union payment standards
• Liaise with Music Clearance, Walt Disney Records, Global Marketing, Music Business & Legal Affairs, Post-Production & Editorial, Show Producers & Directors, as well as Story Writers to ensure timely delivery of music assets and accurate reporting of music creative development to all stakeholders
• Proofread content for Consumer Products, Disney Character Voices' International translations, create and QC soundtrack label copy, QC Dolby Atmos® mixes, review and edit cue sheets, compile Music Department film credits, and review development pitches
• Creatively craft composer reels and playlists for consideration and presentation

• Identify areas for cost reduction initiatives by proactively seeking lower costs for studios, negotiating equipment rental fees and packages, and cultivating strategic relationships with vendors to ensure labor efficiency within union constraints

• Streamline deliverable pipeline and documentation archive practices to facilitate more efficient records access and asset management across all titles

• Enhance communication between departments through regular meetings, fostering collaboration, increasing problem-solving capabilities across teams

• Track music clearance and legal approval status across heavy volume of international trailer campaigns, digital advertising initiatives, and social media/broadcast spots across all Disney Studio brand segments including theatrical, short form, and Disney+ content
• Advise on problem areas of concern, flag critical action items needing intervention and further consult, and strategically pivot where needed, preemptively providing alternative solutions and optional backups for difficult libraries or publishers

• Anticipate Legal/Clearance concerns examining precedents to advise on problematic areas and provide realistic turnaround timelines depending on scope on input/research needed
• Research songs/artists to determine ownership of copyrights (publishing/labels) and associative cost brackets within tight budget restrictions
• Review and approve music/SFX/score used across all Disney Studio marketing campaigns including theatrical trailers, international content, social media campaigns, and digital/print advertisements.
• Liaise with internal creative teams as well as maintain strong relationships with a multitude of external vendors and international partners to advise on music clearances.
• Prepare formal clearance requests as well as process a high volume of cue sheets, scanning for correct PRO affiliation delegations, writer/producer percentage splits, and exact timings
• Prepare check requests and process/code/reconcile invoices with Finance partners
• Manage organization, distribution, and archiving of digital audio assets
• Prepare Licensor quote requests alongside high volume of Confirmation Letter Agreements for masters and Buyout Agreements, ensuring relevant and detailed keyword tagging for future searches
• Maintain music licensing reports for external vendors as well as internal catalogues for future keyword-specific searching, cutting down time needed to research
• Work with internal and external creative vendors to secure rights for library music, commercial songs, and licensable sound design used across marketing campaigns for Disney Studios, Disney+, Fox Searchlight, 21st Century Studios, MARVEL, Lucasfilm, and Pixar.

• Assisted in training junior team members on best practices within post-production workflows and tools while providing ongoing guidance throughout their growth within the company

• Established timelines for various stages of post-production, enabling efficient workflow and meeting strict deadlines

• Developed strong relationships with vendors, securing competitive rates for software, equipment rentals, and freelance services

• Streamlined post-production processes by implementing efficient project management strategies.

• Delivered final products that exceeded expectations through meticulous attention to detail and strong collaboration with creative teams

• Facilitated smooth transitions from pre- to post- production by closely collaborating with directors, producers, and editors throughout the process

• Solved technical issues related to video formats, codecs, and large digital file transfers by researching solutions and developing a deep understanding of related software (Aspera Faspex, ClearView Flex, Box Sync, StudioCDN, Source-Connect, Audiomovers, etc.)

• Managed budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation and timely completion of projects, consistently coming under projected final EFCs

• Handled heavy multi-line phone calls and calendaring, submitted expense reports, managed and attended mix and theatrical screening reviews, organized executive approvals for trailer dub, ADR, Music and DI, and coordinated cross-departmental marketing meetings between finance, animation, colorists, creatives, talent, producers and filmmakers

• Partnered with internal and external executive departments on creative projects, tracked finance and marketing budgets for GFX/VFX/MX/DX, as well as liaised between creative executive offices, finishing executives, finishing studios and creative vendors to ensure assets are tracked/delivered/approved, music elements and MPAA legal clearances are approved, and trailer finishing deadlines are met for domestic and international releases

• Worked with the Director of Music Licensing to track cue sheets, digitize records of the music archive, update memos for vendors containing clearance specifications, draft composer/musician contracts and licensing agreements, and oversee music assets

• Coordinated daily studio operations, including scheduling, staff management and customer service.

• Strengthened relationships with external partners such as vendors or suppliers, promoting collaboration opportunities that ultimately benefited both parties involved

• Maintained studio equipment, including cameras, microphones and computers, to limit schedule disruptions

• Streamlined studio operations by implementing efficient scheduling and project management systems

• Handled ad hoc score editing, coordinating network shows, facilitating constant flow of information from external clients, tracking digital and physical asset deliveries, additional music editing, live room equipment setup for in-house recording, prepping scores for recording sessions, tracking studio inventory and managing purchases, training new hires, managing the internship program, and assisting an Emmy award-winning mixing engineer

• Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time

• Maintained confidentiality with highly sensitive data, pre-release IP, and used extreme discretion and tact with high-profile talent

• Managed office inventory, tracking supplies and placing orders to ensure smooth daily operations

• Constructed itineraries and supervised foreign and domestic travel planning

• Supported CEO in decision-making processes by conducting research and presenting findings in clear formats

• Tracked invoicing for all projects and negotiated budgeting, oversaw all studio expenditures (cut spending down by 15%)

• Reviewed contracts and scripts for prospective projects, tracked and followed professional requests (identifying and prioritizing importance level and determining which require immediate attention)

• Utilized exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content

• Collaborated with editors to refine drafts, ensuring consistent tone and style across various platforms

• Interviewed individuals by phone, video chat and in-person to gather and compile compelling stories

• Generated ideas for new content based on audience interests and market trends

• Interviewed high-profile talent by phone, video chat and in person to write featured weekly columns for multiple publications

• Developed and published a professional portfolio, wrote and proofread blog and social media posts for several companies including Sonicbids, managed website copy and electronic publications, as well as researched and composed technical articles relating to the music industry

Article bylines include:
• Boston.com
• birnCORE
• Hypebot
• ProSoundWeb
• Sonicbids
• The Berklee Groove