How Your Music Will Be Used In TV And Films

Published: Tue, 02/10/09

Hi ,

Today I wanted to discuss how songs are generally used in TV shows Films.  I think it's much easier to write for the TV/Film niche when you have a clear idea of how music in these mediums are used.  And of course the clearer you are about how your music will potentially be used, the better your chances of actually having your music used!

Subject Matter

Songs that are placed in TV shows and Films are used to enhance plot lines. Typically the lyric of the song will have a correlation with what is happening in the story and the characters in the scene. Central to almost all stories are relationships. Whether someone is falling in love, falling out of love or longing for love, just like in our real lives, relationships play a big role in both TV shows and Films. It goes without saying then that there are a lot of needs for songs about relationships. There are of course many exceptions, just as there are when it comes to the styles of music being placed, but there will always be a need for relationship songs.

Length Of Song

Rarely will all of a song be used in a scene. Although there always exceptions, usually only part of a song will be used. An intro, a verse, a chorus or maybe a verse and chorus. It's best to submit songs that don't fade out at the end as it makes it easier for the supervisor to sync the end of your song with the transition into the next scene, if that's how they are using it. Avoid songs that have long guitar solos or long intros. Try and get to the point in your songs efficiently. My publisher has a catch phrase that goes "don't bore us, get to the chorus". It's a little cheesy I know, but TV is not usually the right context for making grandiose musical statements. Remember your music will be used to strengthen the scene and the characters and not the other way around.
Learn How To Get Your Songs In TV and Film
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Happy Songwriting!
Aaron Davison