Our extensive network of industry relationships is based on a hard-won reputation for representing the most creative talent. Our team is easy to work with, experienced, realistic, dedicated, and passionate.
Our aim is to deliver the best work, within budget, on schedule, and as hassle free as possible. We're always available to discuss your project, and the talented individuals represented by SMA are open to forming bespoke pitches—no job is too small, but the bigger the better!
If you have an impressive list of credits and are looking for a management agency that is fiercely devoted to their clients, please get in touch.
Olav Wyper and Carolynne Wyper have more than 25 years of experience working in the international film and TV communities. Together, they are the principal agents for an impressive roster of award-winning composers, with Olav specialising in the representation and career development of directors and screenwriters. Michelle de Vries, a renowned music supervisor, joined SMA at the start of 2019.
The experience gained by this team over many years—in major record and music publishing companies—provides an unrivalled wealth of knowledge about all aspects of music for film, TV, and video games. Working closely with producers, directors, and video game developers, SMA covers the entire scoring process.
SMA Talent started as Olav Wyper Music in 1975, after he decided to leave major companies to become an independent manager of recording artists, bands, music producers, and songwriters. Olav previously worked as the Commercial Director at RCA Records, the International Creative Director at Essex Music Group, and consulted for Japan’s JVC Victor Records. Many may know Olav's name from his tenure as the General Manager at Philips Records. He is often referred to as responsible for the Vertigo label—famed for their 'Swirl' records of superior sonic quality, visual artistry, and musical innovation.
Olav's knack for talent spotting has some fantastic roots. When working at RCA, Olav met David Bowie—then David Jones—and introduced Bowie to the man who signed him; Laurence Myers, and his manager Tony Defries. After founding Logo Records with Geoff Hannington, he also signed The Tourists, whose members included Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. They—of course—later became the Eurythmics. Independently, Scott Walker of The Walker Brothers insisted Olav supervise their return, which resulted in the huge hit No Regrets.
This outside-of-the-box thinking Olav is known for established his company as a leading composer management agency. Carolynne has consistently brought her wide range of expertise gained in music PR at Mike Gill Associates—whose clients included Rod Stewart, Dusty Springfield, Status Quo, and Jerry Lee Lewis—and in international development at Chrysalis Records. With their combined ability to attract the brightest sparks in the industry, SMA has gone from strength to strength ever since.
In 1993, the company name was changed to Soundtrack Music Associates Ltd to reflect its growing success and expansion. In partnership with Tony Smith’s Hit & Run Music Group, a branch office: Soundtrack Music Associates LLC, opened in Los Angeles in 1997. A further name change to SMA Talent in 2003 was a result of continued expansion into the representation of directors and screenwriters.
In March 2014, SMARisingTalent (SMART) was launched, providing an industry-first initiative with the aim of helping emerging film and TV composers to climb the career ladder. SMART—an endorsed collective of cutting edge film, TV, and game score composers—includes arrangers and orchestrators from the UK and continental Europe. Directors, producers, and game developers excited about new talent—possibly working with a limited budget—need look no further.
In addition to a distinctive list of established UK-based composers with impressive credits, we also represent many high-profile European composers. Through our colleagues in LA at Soundtrack Music Associates, we also have access to top North American talent. Our composers are readily available to attend shoots, take pride in becoming immersed in productions, and work well alongside directors to produce the desired score.
Our award-winning roster of directors and screenwriters is recognised the world over; they push boundaries and extract brilliant performances. We work with a highly varied list of multi-genre writers that cover the gamut of film and TV, and have utmost confidence in their ability to add value and finesse to any project.
Music supervision at SMA is directed by Michelle de Vries: as a leading international music supervisor on major film and TV productions, she has the creativity and drive to consult on any scale of project. Having worked extensively in music publishing—including a stint running Hit & Run’s New York office—Michelle has experience in management, production, broadcasting and records. Her unique combination of talents are available to film and TV producers requiring expert assistance in putting music together for their project.
