Choosing Music for Your Film Without a Soundtrack Budget

Decide what the music is for. Ask what feeling a scene needs: worry, wonder, excitement, calm. Write that single word beside the scene. A clear purpose helps you choose, and also helps you decide when to use no music at all.

Do not copy popular songs. A favourite song might be tempting, but using it in a film that others will watch usually needs permission. Check the rules that apply to you and your school, and get permission in writing, or choose something else.

Look for music offered for reuse. Many libraries offer tracks that creators may use under stated terms. Read those terms carefully. Some ask you to credit the artist, some limit commercial use, and some do not allow changes. Keep a note of where each track came from.

Make your own. A keyboard, a guitar, a few household objects, or a free beat-making app can produce a simple score. Two repeating notes under a tense scene can work better than a full tune.

Ask a local musician. A music teacher, a cousin in a band, or a classmate who plays an instrument may be delighted to be asked. Agree on credit and use before you start, and put it in writing.

Keep it under the dialogue. If viewers have to strain to hear a line, the music is too loud. Lower it until the words are clear, and test the film on small speakers.

Let it stop. A sudden silence after a loud moment can be powerful. Credit everyone. List the title, the creator and the source in your end credits, exactly as the terms ask.