In the film industry, the process of creating a soundtrack can vary from project to project. In some instances, music artists are asked to create a soundtrack for a film before the film has been completed. In other cases, the film has already been completed, and the music artist is asked to compose a soundtrack that aligns with the film’s visuals and narrative.
According to a 2018 interview with film composer Hans Zimmer, it is not uncommon for music artists to watch the film before they begin composing the soundtrack. Zimmer stated, “I always want to see the film before I start writing, because I want to get a feel for the story, the characters, and the world of the film.” This approach allows the music artist to gain a deeper understanding of the film and to create a soundtrack that enhances the film’s emotional impact.
However, not all music artists choose to watch the film before composing the soundtrack. In a 2019 interview, film composer Junkie XL stated that he does not always watch the film before composing the soundtrack. Instead, he prefers to work with the director to understand the film’s narrative and tone, and then begins composing the soundtrack.
In some cases, music artists may not have the opportunity to watch the film before composing the soundtrack. For example, in a 2018 interview, film composer Tyler Bates stated that he was asked to compose the soundtrack for the film “John Wick” without having seen the film. In this instance, Bates worked closely with the director to understand the film’s tone and narrative, and then composed the soundtrack based on that information.
In conclusion, whether a music artist watches the film before composing the soundtrack can vary from project to project and from artist to artist. Some music artists prefer to watch the film to gain a deeper understanding of the film’s narrative and tone, while others prefer to work with the director to understand the film’s narrative and tone before composing the soundtrack. Ultimately, the most important factor in the creation of a successful soundtrack is the collaboration between the music artist, the director, and the film’s production team.
