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.