Screenwriting : Music in Scripts by James Pappoe Jr

Here are my thoughts, take it for what it's worth, your mileage may vary. I did this in my first script that I pitched around Hollywood for years. It had a little song in it, and I had written the catchy little lyrics. Every Hollywood know-it-all that I showed my script to told me this is a No-No. If the script sells, The director and music person will decide what and how the music will be I finally changed my scene to an action paragraph "Rhiannon picks up a flute and plays a song ..." and that's it.

Read scripts and steal what works for your own pages.

https://www.scriptslug.com/assets/uploads/scripts/la-la-land-2016.pdf

James, I just write that this or that character's playing this or that song (or this or that kind of music) on a certain instrument.

'Nothing weeps like a cello at a funeral.' A line I used to set the ambiance.

I use the type of music rather than any specific song or tune.

I do it like William unless a specific song is essential to the plot.

Naming a specific tunes could be a nightmare when it comes to licensing, but most people can read past that and see a story.

You could describe what we see.

“There is an antique chair nearly as old as Divid’s cello tucked in the corner of the dining room. David sits quietly and lows his bow to the strings. As the starters are served David begins a playing a gentle but sad tune, reminiscent of Mahler”.

Craig. It is not a nightmare. It's just not a screenwriters job unless it has something to do with the story.

Hi Dan (Happy New Year) I think getting a license for “China Grove” would be more nightmarish than getting a license for “70’s Power Pop” song.

You can get a 70’s power pop tune from Jewelbeat, Soundforge or any number of site for very little money.

Craig. Happy New Year to you as well. I am sure some songs would be difficult and some aren't even available at any price. However there are companies that do specialize in securing licensing rights to songs which makes it a lot easier.

Would it be necessary if picked up I have a say what music is necessary for the story? I like your idea Craig about describing what tone of music can be used. Setting the tone to the reader/director on what's can be used in that direct moment.

James. If it is not necessary it probably shouldn't be in your screenplay so you wouldn't have to say so. I have one in a movie that helps a detective solve a crime so it is obvious it is needed. I have one I wrote on assignment based on the producer/musicians band back in the sixties and we included some of his hit songs but we knew he might not be able to use them even though he wrote and his band performed them. If it was a spec I would not have included the name of the songs.

Oh well for it's pretty easy, I just write the name of the song and artist and just mention that the song is playing on the action part and I'll sometimes quotations around the song and artist.

Nelson - BAD idea!

James - There are many ways to do this. Have a character mention it in dialog works well for me. Just an example: Two young women on 'girl's nite out' pull into the Cattleman's Bar parking lot. The band plays inside as they exit their car. Marcie girates to the music, says; Bobbie Jo, I feel it in my bones, it's gonna be a real boot-scootin' boogie night!

Or something like that - it can also be a good segway for your wildtrak.

I simply used the title over a montage in my script which illustrates the mood of the changing scenery and sets the tone for the next part of the story.

For music in the script, I just give a generic description - EG: "A Welsh choir starts singing" or "classical music is playing". I try not to get TOO fixated on the details unless specifics contribute to the plot.

Stefano. If you writing a spec you're doing someone else's job.

Write it in the action if you are using the final draft software.

Nicholas - NO!

Doug, you're right. I forgot to finish my sentence before I hit the enter button. It should have said make it apart of the action.

Stefano - in a film, nobody 'starts' singing. It's in first tense; A welsh choir sings..

"Blonde Ambition", an original spec. The Writer signed a studio deal from this sample writing, joined the WGA.

Nobody in the Writer's camp - from the beginning when she was an unknown - told her not to incorporate songs, or Life rights.

Read her script and see how many format rules, do's and don'ts she breaks :)

http://screenplaysandscripts.com/script_files/B/Blonde%20Ambition%20-%20...

Doug Nelson English isn't my first language (you might have guessed that from my name).

Great information and wisdom, guys. Thank you. This is why I like Stage32.