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Here's the full template below. Copy it, print it, or save it — then fill it in before your first conversation with any composer (including us).
The Director's Film Music Brief
1. Project Overview
Title, format (feature / short / series / game), logline in one or two sentences, and where the project is in production right now.
- □Title & format
- □One-sentence logline
- □Current stage (development / picture locked / etc.)
2. Tone & Themes
What is the film about emotionally? Name 3–5 feelings a viewer should walk away carrying. These become the emotional spine of the score.
- □Core emotional themes
- □Overall tonal North Star
- □What the audience should feel by the end
3. Reference Tracks & Temp Music
List 3–5 references — and for each, what specifically you like (the texture, the pacing, a particular instrument). Temp music is welcome; tell the composer what to keep and what to avoid.
- □3–5 reference tracks
- □What each reference contributes
- □What to avoid (just as important)
4. Characters & Musical Identities
For each principal character, note one or two words describing their musical character — warm, brittle, restless, noble. These seeds grow into leitmotifs.
- □Principal characters
- □A musical word or two for each
- □Relationships worth scoring (rivalry, romance, mentorship)
5. Key Scenes That Need Music
List the 5–8 scenes where music matters most. For each: what's happening, what the audience should feel, and whether music should lead or support.
- □The scenes music must serve
- □Emotional job per scene
- □Lead vs. support per cue
6. Practical Constraints
Timeline, budget range, delivery format (stems, loudness spec), any locked dates, and who approvals run through. Being direct here saves everyone time.
- □Timeline & key dates
- □Budget range
- □Delivery format & approvals
7. Notes for the Composer
Anything else — wild ideas, hard constraints, things you're afraid to ask for. The best briefs leave room for the composer to surprise you.