Insights
Notes on scoring, for the people who hire it.
Practical, honest writing on film scoring and creative collaboration — for directors, producers, and showrunners.
Working with a Composer · 5 min
What a Director Should Know Before Hiring a Film Composer
The working relationship matters as much as the music. Here's what to figure out before you sign.
Read article
Working with a Composer · 4 min
The Difference Between Score and Soundtrack
They're not the same thing, and confusing them causes real problems in licensing and delivery.
Working with a Composer · 6 min
How to Write a Music Brief That Gets You Better Music
A good brief doesn't describe music — it describes the emotion the music needs to carry.
Process & Timeline · 5 min
Temp Music: A Tool and a Trap
Temp love is real, and it can quietly ruin your original score. Here's how to use temp without falling in love with it.
Budget & Rights · 5 min
Scoring on a Budget: When Virtual Beats Live
Live players aren't always better. Here's how to decide where your budget actually belongs.
Process & Timeline · 5 min
The Spotting Session: Where the Score Is Really Written
Before a note is composed, the spotting session decides everything that matters. Here's how to run one.
Working with a Composer · 4 min
Leitmotifs Explained (Without the Music Theory Degree)
A leitmotif is just a musical label for a character or idea. Here's why they work and how to use them without overthinking.
Game Audio · 6 min
How Adaptive Music Works in Video Games
Game music isn't a soundtrack — it's a system that responds to the player. Here's what that actually means.
Deliverables · 4 min
What Stems, Alternates, and Cue Sheets Actually Are
These three deliverables show up in every scoring contract. Here's what they are and why your post team needs them.
Budget & Rights · 4 min
Why Your Indie Film Doesn't Need a 90-Piece Orchestra
Scale isn't quality. Here's why a focused palette often serves an indie film better than a wall of sound.
Process & Timeline · 6 min
Scoring for Television: Surviving the Weekly Grind
Episodic scoring is a rhythm problem as much as a creative one. Here's how to keep quality high on a weekly cadence.
Working with a Composer · 5 min
Reading a Composer's Reel: What to Actually Listen For
A reel isn't a highlight reel of bangers. Here's how to listen to one like a director, not a fan.
Budget & Rights · 6 min
Music Licensing vs. Original Score: A Producer's Guide
Licensing a song and commissioning a score are different products, budgets, and risks. Here's the decision framework.
Process & Timeline · 5 min
The First 30 Days of a Film Score: What Should Happen
A score isn't written in one burst. Here's what a healthy first month actually looks like.
Working with a Composer · 5 min
How to Give a Composer Feedback That Improves the Score
Notes like 'make it bigger' don't help. Here's how to give feedback that actually moves the music forward.