For a film that I am pre-writing, I decided to pick songs the work the rest of the film around. So far, here's a list of some of the songs I've picked:

1. Still Loving You-The Scorpions
2. Thirty Three-The Smashing Pumpkins
3. The Boxer-Simon and Garfunkle
4. Ten Years Gone-Led Zeppelin

When ever I listen to these songs, I get these images in my head. So far, the theme of this film is how music effects us and our daily lives.

Is this an effective method of brainstorming for anyone else?

Glad to see you've obtained rights for all of those. How much did the rights holder for Led Zeppelin want, $25?

I don't really use music in my films so I don't use that method.

I'm sure Evan meant to say something akin to: You're not going to be able to use those exact songs legally in your movie, so why bother.

As a brainstorming idea, whatever gets your creative juices flowing, it's alright. The caveat that I've heard before is to be careful about writing yourself into a corner. If you write a movie where no other songs, besides those, will fit then you'll get stuck and won't be able to show the movie at festivals without paying the high cost of royalty fees. Of course if it inspires you to make something cool even without said songs on your soundtrack then it's no harm, no foul. Chuck P. wrote Fight Club while repeatedly listening to Downward Spiral without the movie containing a single Nine Inch Nails song, and that worked out just fine. So yeah, inspiration's fine, just don't get screwed over by limiting yourself.

elliott (otiose)...

I compose usually score before than I make movie or even write a screenplay. Score "tells" me a lot about the movie`s emotional mood and makes me even more interested in the project in general, when it is made well.

I'll often listen to a load of music that I do have access to (the libraries of some composers I work with) and try to get an idea of the feeling of the movie as I write it. When it's time to edit, I may or may not use those tracks. Sometimes it gets scored, sometimes I used the stuff they've already written.

quote:

How much did the rights holder for Led Zeppelin want, $25?

LOL

I sometimes compose songs before I shoot it, and sometimes I don't. Sometimes if I compose before, and the scene comes out differently, I'll end up composing a different piece if I have to.

Well, I'm not using these songs in a film that I am exhibiting for commercial purposes. I don't plan on making a cent off of this film. But, for me, it's effective for prewriting because it helps me write and convey the aestetic moods I want.