Songs?

[emsash]

Is it ever ok to put songs in the script? I mean as background music... there is a song that really makes my scene - but I really can't justify making note of it... that's too much creative directing right?

[Deus Ex Machine]

Don't do it. My rule of thumb is that unless it is essential to the plot (the character performs it or specifically plays that song for some important plot reason like serial killer who always plays "tie a yellow ribbon" to his victims before he kills them) don't specify the song just the tone/genre of the music (funky Disco, sad country ballad, booming techno, etc...).

It's your job to tell the story, not score the film. If the music is essential to the story then include it. If the music is not essential to the story -- you know the answer.

[Salazkin]

And if you DO decide you need to include the song (as in the circumstances described by Deus), don't you need to obtain permission?

[Deus Ex Machine]

no, that is the producer's headache.

[dk23]

What if you have a scene where a character hums a couple of lines from a specific song? The song hints at the direction of the story, but is by no means absolutely essential. Would you leave it in and let the producer worry about it, not caring too deeply if it got yanked? Or would you play it safe and not include it for fear of it being a cost/hassle ding against the spec?

Dan

[Deus Ex Machine]

Humming is the same as the character singing or performing or conducting the song/music. If the tune is distinct enough to be easily recognized by humming it and you feel it's important enough to specify then go ahead and do it.

[dk23]

Works for me, thanks.

One more thing checked off the to-do list...

Dan

[refriedwhiskey]

I don't believe referencing a specific song is going to hurt a spec, if the script is really good. The worst thing that's going to happen is that the rights to the song can't be secured or are too expensive, and you end up having to cut the song or use a similar song that is available.

And that's only going to be an issue if the spec is sold and produced. At which point it's a pretty sweet problem to have.

If you have a song in mind that really opens a window on a character's nature or sets the mood for a scene really well, go for it. Just understand you may not get to use it when push comes to shove.

It's also probably a good idea to avoid an obscure song the reader might not be familiar with, like the third track on the first album by Cibo Matto or something. If the reader can't hear it in his head as he reads the scene, it's a waste of space to mention it, and it may take the reader out of the story while he thinks "what the hell is that?"

[PeteRodgersuk]

"It's also probably a good idea to avoid an obscure song the reader might not be familiar with, like the third track on the first album by Cibo Matto or something"

That would be Sugar Water -- Worthy to grace any Script.

[MrErdnase]

I don't believe referencing a specific song is going to hurt a spec, if the script is really good. The worst thing that's going to happen is that the rights to the song can't be secured or are too expensive, and you end up having to cut the song or use a similar song that is available.

Yup. Which is why, IMHO its best to befriend an Indy filmmaking people who aren't lazy enough to obtain rights from the record company


OR


people who know scorers who have the same taste as you do so 'ya can all improvise.

This is a very heartbreaking issue, IMHO....

And it always gets to my head everytime I write. I want the whole world to know what music Erdnase likes when my scripts are turned to movies.
8o

[filmcarver]

I have to agree that it should a very very key element to make it worth mentioning a song.....it's a very common amateur insert for ensemble talking head scenes, and it adds zippo 99 percent of the time.

Unless you're writing "Sea of Love" or about a musical character....I would leave for development meetings if it means that much to you.

[pantalone]

My opinion about writing a specific song in a spec is that I often feel a writer is trying to let the reader know how cool he or she is, how much obscure blues or jazz or whatever the writer knows.

[captain bligh]

i've done it when i felt like. no one who has any influence on anything has ever complained, or even commented on it.