Working with a Composer
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.
Hiring a composer is one of the most personal hires on a film. This person will spend weeks inside your story, and the music they write will outlive most of the dialogue. Before you commit, get clear on three things.
Who actually writes the music. Some names on a contract are producers who run a team. That can be fine, but you should know whether the person in the meeting is the person at the keyboard. Ask directly.
How they handle revisions. Picture changes are inevitable. Ask how they re-conform to a new cut, how many revisions are included, and what the approval process looks like. A composer who gets defensive about revisions is a red flag; one with a calm process is a partner.
Their range, not just their genre. A good composer has a voice but isn't a one-trick artist. Listen to the reel for emotional range — tender and terrifying, not only one.
Finally, talk to a past director. The reel tells you what they can write; a reference tells you what they're like to work with. The best scores come from a collaboration that doesn't feel like a fight.