You may not have the background to write your own songs for your scripts, but you probably know someone who does, and who would be willing to contribute.
In this week's article, I discuss adding music to scripts. One example is a show I was involved with where I wrote and recorded a couple songs for a parody. I'm currently working on a second production of one of my plays where I wrote two new Christmas songs. And I am involved with a children's production where the cast was doubled to accommodate all the aspiring young thespians, and for which I'm writing and recording four songs to allow all the children some participation.
This was a natural sideline for me to assist the scripts. But I realize that not everyone has the background, experience, or musical ear to do the same. However, they probably know someone who does, and who would be interested in helping.
Scriptwriters generally are friends with other artistic types, including musicians and poets. And these other artists are likely looking for opportunities to ply their crafts and expand their circles.
Many scripts I've read over the years cite specific songs in them, mirroring the soundtrack attitude. However, when the business end is brought up, explicit permissions (and royalties) must be addressed; the permissions obtained and the royalties paid.
A soundtrack for a movie like Forrest Gump, for example, can cost thousands of dollars to get the rights to include such songs. However, if you are familiar with the soundtrack to that movie, you know that, in addition to the popular songs included, there is one selection composed by Alan Silvestri, who wrote all the original music for the film, as well as dozens of other movies.
When my children were young and watched Barney the dinosaur, I was always put off because they rewrote all their songs from traditional children's songs rather than employ musicians who could have given them original songs that were not only as pleasurable for the children, but for which they could actually record and sell. A generation of children has grown up believing that "This old man, he played one..." are not the real lyrics, but rather, "I love you, you love me..." are.
Consider original music for your scripts. It can fulfill your purpose, and help other artists get involved, too.
