What actually goes into a good brief (so you can get the music you actually want)

A music brief doesn’t need to be fancy. But if you want to give your composer the best shot at nailing it, here’s what helps.

1. Tell us what the story’s really about

Not just what happens — what it feels like. What’s changing in the scene? What do you want the audience to take away?

“A woman is walking through a city at night” is helpful.
“She’s trying to feel brave, but the city still feels too big” is even better.

2. Talk in emotion, not genre

Don’t worry about music terms. We care more about how it needs to feel. Try:

• “It should start hopeful but shift into tension.”

• “We want the audience to feel like they’re floating.”

• “Think quiet chaos — controlled but messy.”

3. Share references — and why you like them

Reference tracks are great, but only if we know what you like about them. The tempo? The mood? The piano tone? The space between notes?

4. Timing is everything

Tell us when you’ll need the music — and when we’ll get to see picture. Even if it’s rough. Music is about timing, after all.

5. Be real about budget

If you’ve got a budget, share it up front. If you don’t, we’ll figure it out. We’re not looking to upsell you — we’re looking to make it work.