Film Directors working with Composers often have a challenge describing the music they want for their film. One is a Visual and the other an Aural-centered person. How to cross this divide?
I often use an exercise I call 20 questions.
By asking questions that make us feel with the other senses (especially not aural) we can get a better idea of what emotional qualities we are seeking. I usually do a list of opposites like this:
Hot --- Cool
Deep --- Shallow
Smooth ---Jagged
Glossy --- Matte
Organic --- Synthetic
Stoic --- Flowing
Dangerous --- Sheltered
Textured --- Fine
Pungent --- Fragrant
Bright --- Dark
Hard --- Soft
Scratchy --- Clear
Grainy --- Lucid
Spicy --- Soothing
Solid --- Liquid
Understated --- In Your Face
Background --- Foreground
Frenetic --- Calming
Subtle --- Overt
Curvy --- Straight
This can be harder for some than others. The idea is to get a common ground that avoids the misunderstandings brought about by descriptors like “very hip, current and cool music.”
I then ask what do you want the audience to feel? Jealousy, anger, regret, pain, triumph, etc which further specifies the exact tone and feel.
And sometimes I ask what colors would be best describe your project? Again, sometimes this draws blanks, but I had a director tell me “burnt sienna and cyan.” This specificity was extremely helpful in achieving the exact tone.
