A music-themed movie can be an exciting project to create, whether you’re relaying the life of a musician or using music as a key character in the narrative. Writing and producing any film can be a meticulous process.
While a music film may be especially challenging, sharing it with the world can fulfill your goals and shape your future.
The Challenge Behind Music-Themed Movies
The main challenge behind making music-themed movies is creating something that stands out. About 56% of American adults are interested or somewhat interested in Michael Jackson’s upcoming biopic. Around 44% of respondents are looking forward to an upcoming Bob Dylan film. There’s no doubt that audiences want to see these kinds of movies.
However, as more films of this genre emerge, many people become more critical of the output. They begin to point out patterns, such as the standard biopic narrative where the musician chases grandeur but must handle rejection before eventually finding their way to stardom.
To make a film that stands out, there must be something beyond the charm of a popular music figure and generic storylines. Come up with an idea with story and soul. It can be daunting, but all budding filmmakers must contemplate how they want to portray these journeys on screen.
Storytelling Techniques for Music Films
Some people can find it hard to capture the essence of what they want to share with their music-themed movie. These tips can guide filmmakers in forming what to say and creating a compelling music film.
1. Write With Knowledge
Many new movie makers are encouraged to make their first projects on topics close to home, following the “write what you know” philosophy. To tell a story about music, you must familiarize yourself with the music jargon to make the film more believable.
For instance, maybe you have an expert guitarist as the lead character. Picture a scene where they explain how a riff differs from a lick or lead to another band member. Accurately describing those kinds of music terms adds plenty of credibility to the character’s expertise in the field.
2. Have a Strong Premise
Knowing you want to create a music-themed film with beautiful melodies is easy. Songs can build up and support the plot. However, consider building up a stronger premise. What is the whole concept of the movie?
The film “A Star Is Born” starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper has a rich storyline about the ups and downs of stardom, separate from its phenomenal soundtrack. Whether you have the same goal or not, you should know the core message of the music-themed film before getting started.
3. Know What to Leave Out
Some musicians’ careers or stories span over several decades. There may be too many milestones to cover in-depth in a film. Consider what to include and cut out to keep the film’s runtime manageable and realistic.
The most obvious information to leave out would be the mundane happenings a musician goes through every day. If you want to make a point about how much of a regular Joe someone was, consider a montage — make it quick.
4. Pick an Approach
A musical biopic must choose how it will interpret the stories it brings to the screen. Some filmmakers may take a satirical and comedic approach to showcase the humor of a musician’s journey. Others may prefer something that focuses more on drama and heartbreak. Know your style as early as post-production to set the tone.
5. Get a Convincing Cast
While no one can ever replace Johnny Cash, Joaquin Phoenix did such a phenomenal job embodying his character in “Walk the Line,” he was nominated for an Academy Award. Find actors and actresses who can emulate the personality of your music-themed movie. Go beyond mere lookalikes — search for heart and sincerity behind the impersonation of a character.
6. Consider Historical Accuracy
When writing about a musician, recognize that they were or are a living, breathing person with people who love them. Even if you want to exaggerate the details, it’s important to respect what really went down in history. Ensure accuracy by doing your research. Interviewing people close to the subject can also give helpful details.
7. Invest in Sound Production
When music is a prominent part of the film, you must ensure flawless audio. Find a mic that reduces surrounding sounds to keep the music as a focal point. The right equipment will help you capture music on set in its entirety.
Some productions may also decide to record songs in a studio. They get the singers and instrumentals on tape and play them on set while the characters act on camera. This step can keep musical soundtracks as pristine as possible.
8. Find Compelling Visuals
An effective music-themed story will have excellent visuals to accompany the dialogue and songs. Think smooth choreography and powerful cinematography.
Lighting and color grading are also important visual aids. Some people experience music-color synesthesia and associate certain hues with the lyrics and mood of a song. Use that to your advantage while planning out sequences.
9. Space the Songs Out
Timing is everything in a movie, so remember to space songs out. Plant them at the necessary moments to avoid a chaotic or hard-to-follow plot. When you want to highlight an emotional music number, place it after some heart-wrenching dialogue.
Provide a buffer for the audience and let the scenes flow into one another smoothly.
10. Take Time With Post-Production
After collecting all the different elements and shots to make a music-themed movie, put proper time and effort into post-production. While you should pay attention to audio no matter what your film is about, go the extra mile with your music biopic or musical.
Ensure each soundtrack syncs with what’s happening on screen while keeping the sound crisp.
Feel the Melody and Capture the Story
Recording a music-heavy story can take time and effort, but all those factors make the movie more robust and well-rounded. Use filmmaking with the melodies and meld everything together to evoke more emotions from an audience. Good luck!
