Filmmaker Alert: Empower Composers, Ditch Stock Music!
Set your ads apart with custom compositions, delivering unmatched originality and capturing your brand’s unique voice.
As an experienced composer passionate about creating unique musical experiences, I want to share valuable insights on a topic that deeply resonates with filmmakers and composers alike. I’m reaching out to production companies, especially those producing TV ads, to highlight the significant impact of choosing custom-composed scores over stock music libraries. Through discussions with several commercial producers, a common challenge with stock music has emerged: the time-consuming process of finding multiple tracks that might work, followed by the need to cut them to fit the product. The appeal of a low-cost yearly subscription for access to tens of thousands of royalty-free tracks has not only diminished the industry’s value but also undervalued the role of the composer.
Elevating the Art:
Using custom scores in your ads transforms them into genuine artistic expressions. Library music, while convenient, often lacks the nuanced connection a custom piece can bring. A dedicated composer can create a piece tailored to your ad’s theme, enhancing its emotional depth and making it truly memorable for filmmakers.
What is Stock Music? https://www.edbrowncomposer.com/single-post/breaking-through-the-confusion-of-stock-music-libraries-part-1
Uniqueness and Originality:
One of the strongest arguments against stock libraries is their lack of originality. When you hire a composer, filmmakers receive a piece of music that is one-of-a-kind, designed precisely for your project’s needs. This originality ensures your ad maintains an eternal shelf-life, standing out in a sea of similar-sounding productions.
Ethical Considerations:
Filmmakers relying on stock music can raise ethical questions about valuing the creative arts. Music library companies often compensate composers minimally for their hard work, diluting the appreciation for creative expertise. By choosing to work directly with a composer, you not only enrich your project but also support the artistic community with fair compensation.
6 Reasons why Stock Music Sucks: https://www.instrumentalbackgroundmusic.com/blog/6-reasons-why-free-stock-music-sites-suck/
Fit and Functionality:
Stock music rarely aligns perfectly with the project’s unique vision. A custom score is crafted with your storyline in mind, seamlessly integrating with the visuals to enhance the viewer’s experience — something pre-existing tracks often fail to achieve due to their generic nature.
Why is stock music so annoying to find: https://www.reddit.com/r/videography/comments/bm694c/why_is_stock_music_so_annoying_to_find/
Building Credible Relationships:
Working with a composer allows for a meaningful exchange of ideas and feedback, building a collaborative partnership that extends beyond a single project. This rapport can lead to ongoing creativity and innovation tailored to your company’s evolving needs.
Raising the Standard:
As filmmakers, you have the power to raise industry standards by prioritizing authentic, bespoke music over convenience. This shift not only elevates the quality of individual ads but also enriches the overall advertising landscape. Original compositions demonstrate a commitment to quality and an investment in distinctive storytelling.
It’s time we, as filmmakers and composers, come together to challenge the status quo set by library music. Let’s prioritize uniqueness, ethical standards, and artistic integrity in our productions. I urge ad agencies and production companies to make the shift toward hiring composers who create tailored scores that resonate profoundly with audiences.
Exploring collaboration with composers ensures each project stands out as a true work of art, crafted with the care and creativity it deserves. It’s a call for authenticity in a world ready for fresh melodies and innovative compositions.
Addressing the concerns about the prevalent use of stock music and encouraging ad agencies to hire real composers involves shifting perspectives and practices within the industry
In conclusion, building a strong partnership between ad agencies and composers is essential for enhancing the quality of advertising. By opting for custom music scores, agencies not only elevate their projects but also advocate for a greater standard of creativity and originality. Let’s unlock the potential of personalized compositions to create powerful, memorable narratives that deeply connect with audiences, ensuring each campaign is truly distinctive. Together, we can rejuvenate the industry, honoring the artistry that forms the core of every memorable ad.
Christopher Caliendo won the Henry Mancini Award for Film Scoring and started his television scoring at CBS working under Jerrold Immel for Dallas, Knott’s Landing and Paradise. National Emmy Award winners Fisher-Merlis Television, Cartoon Network, Warner TV, Discovery are some of his clients. As a guest speaker at various film schools Christopher covers such diverse topics as bridging the gap between directors and composers, film restoration, and strategies for staying under budget in a film scoring session.
info@christophercaliendo.com
