ABSTRACT
This chapter explores guidance as to how to draw on music examples in an informed creative dialogue. Discussing music as a tool in relation to narrative and emotional beats can be helpful. In order for music to reinforce and amplify storytelling aims, the music supervisor or composer also become storytellers. Discussing the emotional requirements of a project, and how these requirements may be served and shaped by music, can be tricky because everyone has a subjective perspective on emotion in music. Written music briefs summarizing the creative requirements of the project are quite common with commercials and other projects that require a fast turnaround. Responding to music, media creators should trust their intuition and gut feeling but they need also to articulate their feelings and thoughts to communicate with the music supervisor and/or composer. When listening to a piece of music in a focused manner, especially if this is a new experience, taking notes may feel helpful.
