Today we’re speaking with Jennifer Smith, a Los Angeles-based music supervisor and producer who has worked in the film, television, podcast, and media industry for over a decade. She is known for her work as music supervisor on Netflix’s Deadly Illusions, Emmy-nominated showrunner Marc Cherry’s series Why Women Kill, and Amazon’s award-winning series The Transcendents. In 2018, Jennifer launched her own music supervision company, “Rat Dance Party.” With Rat Dance Party, Jennifer has worked on projects produced by Showtime, Netflix, Viacom, Shorts TV, Amazon, Pluto TV, NBC, Voltage Pictures, Indican Productions, and more. We’re excited to share Jennifer’s interview about her experience working on Deadly Illusions.
Alix Kingray: Hi Jennifer! How have you been?
Jennifer Smith: Hi, thanks for having me. Like everyone during this time, I am taking it day by day. What is exciting to me is how productions are starting to safely open more and that a variety of stories will be greenlit.
AK: What is it like working with a collaborator as successful as Anna Elizabeth James? Tell us more about your working relationship and short hand with them.
Jennifer Smith: Working with Anna Elizabeth James was a dream since she is such a forward-thinking talent and collaborator. The two of us talked about the story and characters a lot along with the underlying themes of the story. By diving into this, it helped us to create a language of our collaboration. We also talked a lot about music. Not just for the project but for her personally. It helped me get in her mind about what types of tones she envisioned so when I sent her playlists, we could have a language between us.
You brought a unique approach to Deadly Illusions. Can you take us behind one or two of your favorite scenes? Tell us more about your process and how you decide the right way to approach it.
Jennifer Smith: Deadly Illusions was a multi-layered project in the sense of various themes that were in the story such as the pressures of being a woman and identity. It was important for me to dig deep in the characters through the music as well as create an environment for the audience watching. One thing that I enjoyed doing in this film was to leave music easter eggs to the audience in the film. For example, in the film you will hear children’s nursery songs peppered in. What I loved about doing this was that those songs have a dual identity in our society and can go many ways. We even peppered in “Frere Jacques” into a score cue that Drum & Lace created. Those songs gave the audience a cue sublimely about Grace’s character and past. Each of the songs I placed had a dual meaning as the story progressed.
Let’s talk about your recent election to the Board of the Guild of Music Supervisors (congrats!) – how did it feel to get this recognition?
Jennifer Smith: Thank you! I was beyond moved to be elected. To be recognized by your peers and community as a leader they want to represent them is one of the biggest honors I have received.
What were some of the other challenges you encountered with Deadly Illusions? How did you overcome them?
Jennifer Smith: “Deadly Illusions” is an independent film that was made. Like all smaller budget films, you have various obstacles including budget and time. I am grateful for our music partners who were able to work with us on this story. It takes collaborators from all sides to come together to make a story come to life.
What are some of your other favorite past projects?
Jennifer Smith: I come from a theatre background, so musicals, live performance, or original songs always have a special place in my heart, so working on American Idol and America’s Best Dance Crew hold a special place in my heart.
What else is happening next in your world?
Jennifer Smith: In 2019, I branched out to producing content, not just doing music supervision. I am excited to be a producer on a few young adult sci fi projects coming out soon. One is a podcast, and another is a TV show called The Fallen. I am the music supervisor for Why Women Kill, which has its second season premiering June 3rd!
