Hi All
I've been in talks with a client to write the soundtrack for their next film. I'm in a dilemma as to whether to get involved and am looking for advice. Although I’m a composer, this isn't just a music-related question; it's relevant to anyone signing on to a project.
The feature itself is 45 minutes. The director intends to create a music video style with rap and to release it as a film, as individual tracks and as an album. This is quite an interesting idea, which is what initially attracted me to this low-budget student project. I've produced samples for them already and I was really looking forward to it, because it presented an interesting and creative challenge for me as a composer.
However, I've just received the plotline (which the director was rather cagey on beforehand) and realised that I don't really like it. Without going into too much detail (I've probably said too much already), it's quite grotty and dissatisfying. I'm inclined to think that if I'm not fully behind the idea, I'm not the right man for the job. That said, I don't want to rule out future opportunities and set a precedent to others that I don't want to work on a project with a taboo theme (done well they can be very powerful).
So the ultimate question: should you attach yourself to a project you have a tendency to dislike in order to further your experience, film credits and creative potential?
If no, what's the polite professional way of saying this? Is it 'creative differences'?
I've been in talks with a client to write the soundtrack for their next film. I'm in a dilemma as to whether to get involved and am looking for advice. Although I’m a composer, this isn't just a music-related question; it's relevant to anyone signing on to a project.
The feature itself is 45 minutes. The director intends to create a music video style with rap and to release it as a film, as individual tracks and as an album. This is quite an interesting idea, which is what initially attracted me to this low-budget student project. I've produced samples for them already and I was really looking forward to it, because it presented an interesting and creative challenge for me as a composer.
However, I've just received the plotline (which the director was rather cagey on beforehand) and realised that I don't really like it. Without going into too much detail (I've probably said too much already), it's quite grotty and dissatisfying. I'm inclined to think that if I'm not fully behind the idea, I'm not the right man for the job. That said, I don't want to rule out future opportunities and set a precedent to others that I don't want to work on a project with a taboo theme (done well they can be very powerful).
So the ultimate question: should you attach yourself to a project you have a tendency to dislike in order to further your experience, film credits and creative potential?
If no, what's the polite professional way of saying this? Is it 'creative differences'?
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