Film, TV & Advertising Music Commission Form

Please remove this client intake form insights section before publishing.

Here’s a detailed breakdown and strategic analysis of the Client Intake Form, explaining its structure, purpose, and how each section optimizes client-composer collaboration:

1. Client & Project Information

Purpose:

• Captures essential contact details and project scope.
• Identifies budget range upfront to avoid mismatched expectations.
• Project type helps tailor the approach (e.g., a film score vs. a 30-second ad requires different creative processes).

Key Insight:

• Including a deadline field flags urgent projects, allowing prioritization.
• Budget tiers let composers quickly assess feasibility (e.g., a $500 budget may limit live instrumentation).

2. Music Service Options

Purpose:

• Modular selection lets clients customize services (e.g., licensing vs. original composition).
• Genre/style preferences guide creative direction without restricting experimentation.

Key Insight:

• "Hybrid" genre option acknowledges modern trends (e.g., blending orchestral and electronic for trailers).
• Stems and surround mixes cater to post-production needs—critical for film/TV clients.

3. Project Vision & Creative Direction

Purpose:

• Open-ended questions uncover subjective needs (mood, emotion) that checkboxes can’t capture.
• Temp track references are invaluable; they reveal tempo, instrumentation, and dynamics the client envisions.
• Revision limits set clear boundaries to prevent scope creep.

Key Insight:

• Asking about music-dialogue interaction is crucial for media scoring (e.g., documentaries need subtle underscoring).
• Cultural/historical influences prevent missteps (e.g., avoiding clichés in world music).

4. Legal & Rights

Purpose:

• Clarifies ownership upfront—critical for licensing and royalties.
• Work-for-hire vs. composer-retained rights impacts pricing (e.g., full buyouts cost more).

Key Insight:

• Credit requirements matter for indie filmmakers/composers (exposure vs. paid anonymity).

5. Next Steps

Purpose:

• Manages expectations with a clear workflow (quote → contract → deposit).
• Signature field adds formality, reducing disputes.

Strategic Advantages of This Form:

1. Efficiency:
   Clients self-report needs, reducing back-and-forth emails.
   Budget/deadline fields filter non-ideal projects early.
2. Creativity:
   Temp track requests act as a "musical brief."
   Open-ended questions reveal unstated preferences (e.g., "We want it to sound like Hans Zimmer but unique").
3. Risk Mitigation:
   Revision limits prevent endless tweaks.
   Legal terms avoid copyright confusion post-delivery.

Potential Improvements:

• Gaming-Specific Additions:
  Interactive music loops
  Adaptive audio triggers (e.g., "dynamic tension layers")
• Corporate/Advertising Additions:
  Brand ethos alignment (e.g., "Our brand voice is innovative and trustworthy").
  Jingle-specific fields (hook length, slogan integration).

Final Thought:

This form balances creative exploration with practical boundaries, making it adaptable for indie filmmakers, ad agencies, and game studios alike. The deeper the client’s input here, the more precise—and impactful—the final composition will be.