Client Guide: How to brief a music and sound company

How to Brief a Music and Sound Company

Creating the right soundtrack starts with a clear brief. This guide covers exactly what we need from you to get it right first time.

The first thing we need to know about the project is:

1. Project Name: Provide the working title of the project.

2. Project Type: A description of the project in detail. Is it for a film, commercial, video game, podcast, or something else?

3. Duration: What’s the total length of the music needed? If the project is divided into sections, an outline of the different segment lengths is needed.

4. Usage Details: Detailed information ensures smooth project execution:

5. Purpose: What is the soundtrack for? Background score, theme song, or jingle?

6. Distribution Territories: Where will the music be heard? TV, cinema, video games, locally, nationally, or internationally?

7. Duration of Use: How long will the soundtrack be used? One-off, campaign, or ongoing use?

Next, we need to know the timeline. What are the delivery times, and deadlines?

Clearly outlining the key deadlines and setting a timeline for drafts and final delivery means that expectations can be managed.

A clear creative brief captures the exact sound envisioned for the project. For example:

• Sonic References: Are there music tracks that reflect the creative? If so, sharing them helps.

• Mood: What emotions should the music convey? Energy, emotion, tension, etc.

• Emotion: Should the music's emotion change at certain points? For example, starting upbeat and transitioning to a calm vibe.

• Instrumentation: Knowing the types of instruments that should be prominently featured, and of course those you want to avoid is essential.

• Tempo: Should there be a consistent tempo or variations based on different sections of the project?

• Timing Cues: There may be specific points in the project where the music should change, such as hitting a dramatic note or fading out.

Like any relationship, we want our collaboration to run smoothly, which is why communication and a full brief is essential right from the start. These include:

1. Initial Meeting: To discuss the brief in detail, addressing any questions and allowing all parties to get to know each other better.

2. Logistics and Process Details: To explain how the process works, including:

3. Review Process: Outing how the drafts will be reviewed, and how feedback will be provided. This includes agreeing the number of revision rounds and expected turnaround times.

4. Final Approval Criteria: Discuss the signoff criteria and any third-party approvals needed.

Here are our tips, which ensure that working together is plain sailing:

• Be Clear and Concise: Provide detailed information, but keep it clear and concise to avoid misunderstandings

• Be Open to Suggestions: With extensive experience in creating sound and music, there may be suggested enhancements that could help the project.

• Communication: regular communication, especially as deadlines approach or changes arise is essential.

The bottom line

Get the brief right at the start and everything downstream gets easier: fewer revision rounds, fewer surprises, and a soundtrack that actually matches what you had in mind.