Blogs
April 9, 2026

Creator Member Catchup with Music Producer Marcus Manderson

by Copyright Alliance

This week, we caught up once again with musician, composer, audio engineer, and music producer Marcus Manderson, aka Da Fingaz. We first interviewed Marcus 10 years ago, and since then, his career has continued to evolve across sync licensing, film, television, and live experiences. After reading his catch-up blog, we encourage you to also follow him on Instagram.

How has your creative career evolved since we last spoke?

A lot has changed in the last ten years, but the biggest shift has been moving from creating music when opportunities appeared to building opportunities through intentional, strategic creation.

When we last connected, I was making music in between church gigs, entering contests, and exploring composing as opportunities came my way. The pandemic became a turning point. It gave me space to refocus and approach my work with more clarity and purpose.

In 2020, I entered over 200 music contests and, since then, created more than 1,000 demos for plugin developers. That process not only strengthened my creative skills, it also helped establish relationships that continue to support my career today.

Since then, I’ve expanded into sync licensing, trailer music, and scoring for experiential projects. I’ve composed for museum exhibits, contributed music to Disney theme parks, written for independent films, and recently secured my first Netflix trailer placement.

More recently, my work has grown in both scale and collaboration.

Through writing camps with the Level Up Music Productions team, I’ve collaborated with creators across the U.S., Toronto, London, and Sydney. Some of those sessions have directly led to placements. For example, songs created at writing camps in London and Austin were featured in the most recent season of Temptation Island.

That project reflects how relationship-building and long-term collaboration can lead to meaningful creative outcomes. I worked on a reimagined version of the show’s theme song with an artist I originally met through the LAAMP program, which I attended on a scholarship from Output. It’s a strong example of how investing in relationships over time can lead to new opportunities.

In addition to creating, I’ve continued to grow as an educator and community organizer.

At SXSW and SXSW EDU, I help facilitate conversations with music supervisors, executives, and educators focused on connecting classroom learning with real-world sync opportunities. These discussions include case studies from active TV, film, and trailer projects, helping provide practical insight into how music is placed and used across media.

At NAMM, I curated panels featuring the composers and music team behind Bel-Air on Peacock, along with music supervisors, focusing on transparency around collaboration and the business side of music creation.

I also help manage Sync Spotlight in Atlanta, the largest sync licensing conference there that brings together hundreds of creators and industry professionals each year for panels, writing camps, and networking opportunities focused on sync licensing.

The biggest changes over the decade have been:

Confidence. Scale. Intentionality.

I’m no longer just creating music. I’m building a sustainable career supported by strong relationships and a growing catalog of work.

Copyright has remained a foundational part of my work as a creator.

In sync licensing especially, understanding ownership is critical. When multiple writers, producers, and publishers are involved, properly registered works with both the Performing Rights Organizations and the Copyright Office, along with clearly documented split sheets ensure that everyone’s contributions are protected and accurately represented.

It also becomes essential when opportunities move quickly. Many placements happen under tight timelines, properly registering your work allows you to respond with confidence.

From a long-term perspective, music registration is what allows creative work to function as an asset. It provides the structure needed to track usage, collect royalties, and build a catalog that generates value over time.

One area I’m continuing to follow closely is how AI intersects with copyright.

There are still open questions around how works that involve AI tools are registered, how ownership is defined, and how rights are enforced across different territories. As someone working on global projects, I’m particularly interested in how creators can ensure proper compensation across international markets.

To stay informed, I rely on a combination of resources:

  • The Copyright Alliance
  • PRO and MLC educational materials
  • Industry panels and conferences
  • Conversations with attorneys, publishers, and fellow creators

Given how quickly things are evolving, staying informed is an ongoing process.

Where do you draw inspiration from? Is there a specific creator you look up to?

Much of my inspiration comes from the briefs I receive. Each brief presents a creative challenge tied to a real need, pushing me to intentionally explore new ideas and expand my catalog.

I also draw from personal experiences. My recent gospel projects, Thank God, He Still Reigns, and Still Thank God, were inspired by my church upbringing and reflect an important part of my musical foundation. Incorporating my family into that project made it especially meaningful.

I also enjoy being around other creators. Just recently, I had 3 projects nominated for the Wammie Awards (an award show celebrating music creators from DC, Maryland, and Virginia). Attending the various networking events and the award show that week with family and friends was inspirational.

I’m inspired by creators across multiple genres who continue to evolve and adapt. That ability to stay curious and grow over time is something I value in my own work.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How do you overcome it?

I tend to think less in terms of writer’s block and more in terms of creative capacity.

If I’ve been working in one area for an extended period, I shift to a different style or project. Working across genres (because of sync) allows me to maintain momentum without forcing creativity.

When I need to reset, I step away from the work entirely. Spending time with family, engaging with other forms of art, or simply taking a break helps restore that creative energy.  

How has AI technology impacted your works and career?

I approach AI as a tool that supports my workflow rather than replaces the creative process.

I don’t currently use AI to generate music, but I do use it in areas like:

  • Transcription
  • Metadata organization
  • Mastering tools
  • File management and productivity systems

These tools help reduce time spent on administrative tasks, allowing me to focus more on creating and collaborating.

If you could share one piece of advice to other creators, what would it be?

Focus on building a career that is intentional, consistent, and relationship-driven.

Many of the opportunities I’ve experienced, from writing camps to placements like Temptation Island and Disneyland have come from long-term relationships and consistently showing up in professional spaces.

It’s also important to understand both the creative and business sides of your work. Diversifying income streams and learning how your rights are managed can make a significant difference over time.

Most importantly, continue creating and developing your catalog.

The more intentional you are in how you create and manage your work, the more opportunities you position yourself for in the long run.

If you aren’t already a member of the Copyright Alliance, you can join today by completing our Individual Creator Members membership form! Members gain access to monthly newsletters, educational webinars, and so much more — all for free!


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