A film score can enhance the emotional impact, the narrative flow, and the aesthetic appeal of your film. But how can you work with a composer to create an unforgettable film score that suits your vision and budget? Here are some tips to help you collaborate effectively with a composer and achieve the best results for your film.
The first step is to find a composer who understands your genre, style, and goals. You can look for composers online, through referrals, or by attending film festivals and networking events. You can also listen to their previous work and see if it resonates with you. Once you find a potential composer, you should communicate your expectations, timeline, and budget clearly and honestly. You should also ask them about their creative process, their availability, and their preferred mode of feedback.
Most director/ composer relationships are built over long periods of time. And it’s vital that a composer not only is a master at their craft but the director or producer also have a good relationship with them. Skill and talent are a given. Attitude from the composer as a creative service provider towards the project are really important and can make or break the project.
The next step is to share your vision and references with the composer. You can do this by providing them with a script, a rough cut, a mood board, or a playlist of songs that inspire you. You can also discuss the themes, emotions, and messages that you want to convey through the music. You should also tell them what kind of instruments, sounds, and genres you prefer or avoid. The more information you give the composer, the easier it will be for them to create a score that matches your film.
As a composer myself I like to be brought into project as soon as possible. The conversations before, while and after the editing of a film are great ways to not only connect but share creative visions from both the director and composer. References or temp music are great discussion starters for that or simply playlists and genre suggestions are great too. But I am big fan of giving the composer a shot at coming up with their own suggestions.
The third step is to establish a workflow and timeline with the composer. You should agree on how often and how you will communicate, how you will exchange files, and how you will review and approve the music. You should also set realistic deadlines for each stage of the process, such as the demo, the first draft, the revisions, and the final mix. You should also plan for contingencies and changes that may arise during the production or post-production of your film.
To give a composer an approximation of the timeline from the delivery of the rough edit to picture lock and final delivery is a crucial step for a successful collaboration between director and composer. A composer on the other hand would need enough flexibility and grit to conquer changes in the timeline that will arise.
The fourth step is to give constructive feedback to the composer. You should listen to the music carefully and attentively, and focus on how it supports or distracts from the film. You should also be specific, objective, and respectful when you express your opinions and suggestions. You should avoid vague or subjective terms, such as "it sounds too dark" or "I don't like it". Instead, you should explain why the music works or doesn't work for you, and what you want to achieve or change.
A composer is more a translator from clients words to music. That’s why it is important that the composer knows how to ask good questions and does his best to translate feedback into music. Not all directors or producers or clients have the same good ability to give feedback that is easy to understand and implement. As with the rest of the process, collaboration is key also in the feedback stage.
The fifth step is to respect the composer's expertise and creativity. You should remember that the composer is a professional and a creative partner, not a service provider or a subordinate. You should trust their skills and experience, and give them some freedom and flexibility to explore their ideas and solutions. You should also appreciate their efforts and contributions, and acknowledge their role in the success of your film.
The best directors are not micro managers. They leave breathing room for everyone on the project to do what they were hired to do. As music is a vital part of every media project, it is sometimes difficult to leave that much room for the composer to work. Nonetheless, an experienced composer can work as good when left with a lot of creative freedom as when the process is very hands on from the directors side.
The final step is to celebrate and promote the film score. You should thank the composer for their work and collaboration, and give them proper credit and recognition. You should also share the film score with your audience, your peers, and your potential distributors. You can do this by releasing the soundtrack album, creating a behind-the-scenes video, or hosting a Q&A session with the composer. You should also encourage the composer to showcase their work and network with other filmmakers and industry professionals.