Why Working with Music Producers Can Be a Challenge on Your Film Score

Hiring a music producer for your film score might seem like a great idea—after all, they understand music, right?

However, the world of film scoring is different from traditional music production, and working with a producer instead of a film composer can present unexpected challenges.

From understanding the nuances of storytelling through music to working within the constraints of a film’s timeline, not every producer is equipped for the job.

In this episode, we discuss what happens when you hire a music producer, traditional songwriter, or musician for your film score instead of a film composer.

We also explore the challenges, common mistakes and a five-point checklist to help you choose your film composer,  producer or songwriter effectively.

What You Will Learn:

• [00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in today’s show
• [01:42] Mistakes we make when hiring a producer or songwriter 
• [03:58] Five key things to look for when hiring a music producer or film composer
• [04:11]#1 Problem solvers who can enhance storytelling under constraints  
• [04:52]#2 Make sure they understand the film workflow 
• [05:18]#3 Their work should enhance the vision, not overshadow it
• [05:56]#4 They should not overshadow the vision but enhance it  
• [06:23]#5 They must understand production schedules
• [07:12] A quick recap 
• [07:36] Wrap up and end of the show 

Quotes:

•  “Choosing someone based on their success in the music industry is a mistake; there is not always a translation, niche down.”- [02:01]
• “Just because someone is good at writing lyrics or playing a certain instrument doesn’t mean they necessarily have the skills to be orchestrating or writing orchestral music. [03:22]

Interested in more?

Grab my free Film Scoring Guide for Directors ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to see the exact approach I use to score films and give them a better shot at festivals.

Podcast site: ⁠johnwiater.com/podcast⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@composerjawn⁠⁠

Book a free scoring consultation ⁠⁠here⁠⁠