Music in Film--The Secret To Writing a Great Film Song Every songwriter on the planet is trying to get his or her music into a Film or Television Show.
So is every music publisher.
In these digital days it's increasingly more difficult to stand out in the ocean of songs pouring in from online sites to the small number of music supervisors who are the gatekeepers to most of the projects in Hollywood.
Sometimes an artist or band will say, "I have that same sound, why can't I get a placement?" Well, that's only part of the process.
The real reason is you just don't have the song yet! Dare I say the sound is easier than the song? Yes, it's true.
If a sound is popular you can easily copy it.
That's what the entire record industry did for years.
Remember the hair band 80s? For the most part it was one giant band.
Most new songwriters start out unaware of the DNA inside a song that is synchronized repeatedly.
They usually speak from their point of view drawing from the experiences in their life, which is the only way to begin.
The majority stays on that road and pitches those songs again and again with no results.
A very small percentage studies the craft and moves past the initial inspiration of an idea re-writing multiple drafts till its right.
An even smaller amount understands that a Director or Music Supervisor is trying to match your song with the character or the scene.
There is a reason you hear Louis Armstrong's WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD or John Hiatt's HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME over and over again.
There is a reason that (I HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE, from the film Dirty Dancing, kept that film alive at the box office and is licensed twenty years later in a "Sandals Resorts" commercial.
The secret is simple: Songs written with universal themes that every human being can relate to are the most popular.
Songs that are written with the listener in mind and that share common human emotions make the strongest connection.
Songs of hope, doubt, fear, escape, celebration, loss, redemption and triumph are just some of the emotions we all feel and what every film contains.
The songwriter has to consider these things when writing for film.
If you think this type of writing is 100% without your personal input, don't worry.
It's not a one-way street.
You will naturally share your feelings with that character and you will end up in your song.
Just be second in the process.
After you select the universal theme to write about, you begin the incredible and difficult journey of finding the infectious melody, musical hooks and production that brings the song to life! So, here is the paradigm shift: Each time you watch a film, try and notice the emotion that you're feeling from the dialogue and facial expressions of the actors.
The Filmmakers and Actors have worked hard to make you feel that.
Pay attention, take it in and give it back in your song!
So is every music publisher.
In these digital days it's increasingly more difficult to stand out in the ocean of songs pouring in from online sites to the small number of music supervisors who are the gatekeepers to most of the projects in Hollywood.
Sometimes an artist or band will say, "I have that same sound, why can't I get a placement?" Well, that's only part of the process.
The real reason is you just don't have the song yet! Dare I say the sound is easier than the song? Yes, it's true.
If a sound is popular you can easily copy it.
That's what the entire record industry did for years.
Remember the hair band 80s? For the most part it was one giant band.
Most new songwriters start out unaware of the DNA inside a song that is synchronized repeatedly.
They usually speak from their point of view drawing from the experiences in their life, which is the only way to begin.
The majority stays on that road and pitches those songs again and again with no results.
A very small percentage studies the craft and moves past the initial inspiration of an idea re-writing multiple drafts till its right.
An even smaller amount understands that a Director or Music Supervisor is trying to match your song with the character or the scene.
There is a reason you hear Louis Armstrong's WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD or John Hiatt's HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME over and over again.
There is a reason that (I HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE, from the film Dirty Dancing, kept that film alive at the box office and is licensed twenty years later in a "Sandals Resorts" commercial.
The secret is simple: Songs written with universal themes that every human being can relate to are the most popular.
Songs that are written with the listener in mind and that share common human emotions make the strongest connection.
Songs of hope, doubt, fear, escape, celebration, loss, redemption and triumph are just some of the emotions we all feel and what every film contains.
The songwriter has to consider these things when writing for film.
If you think this type of writing is 100% without your personal input, don't worry.
It's not a one-way street.
You will naturally share your feelings with that character and you will end up in your song.
Just be second in the process.
After you select the universal theme to write about, you begin the incredible and difficult journey of finding the infectious melody, musical hooks and production that brings the song to life! So, here is the paradigm shift: Each time you watch a film, try and notice the emotion that you're feeling from the dialogue and facial expressions of the actors.
The Filmmakers and Actors have worked hard to make you feel that.
Pay attention, take it in and give it back in your song!