Chief Creative Officer
Larry Pecorella
I’ve been in the music business for more than 40 years. I joined the American Federation of Musicians, the musicians union, when I was 14 and have been working ever since. I’ve done almost everything there is to do as a musician, composer, or producer in music. I say this not to brag but to give some validity to the thoughts and ideas I have about creating background music for videos and the business that is connected to it. Here is one statement I can say after all these years of writing music for commercials, TV and Film:
“Creating music for film is a skill.”
Think about this scenario, you’re searching for a piece of music for some video you just created or are about to start editing and you’re trying to find the perfect music for it. As you listen and create a playlist of your favorite tracks, do you pick the boring ones? The tracks that sound like wallpaper?
No! Who does that?
You’ve Got To Be Moved
You’re looking for something that moves you. Something that makes you feel something. Whatever that something is, it has to motivate you in some way. Someone walking by as you are listening should say ” What is that?” Maybe it’s the beat, maybe the hook, the arc or the emotion. Whatever it is, it’s interesting enough that you’ve checked it off as a possibility.
“Here’s the Secret about Great Background Music for Videos”
Here’s the secret about great background music for videos: No matter how interesting the track, it still must be secondary to the film. It has to been interesting enough that it draws your attention, but at the same time it has to be written, recorded and mixed in a way that it supports what’s on the screen and doesn’t distract. After all, if the average viewer is paying closer attention to the music than the film, then the music has failed to do its job.
How Do I Find Great Background Music for Videos?
The next time you’re searching for music, keep these two questions in mind. First, does the track stand alone as a piece of music, does it move me? Second and just as important, will it support and not compete with the film it’s going under? Taking some song and removing the vocals no matter how great the artist, doesn’t cut it. We hire professional composers to write the music in our library. They understand and have the skill needed to write background music for video, and they write from the point of view of complimenting, supporting and lifting film. This is what we strive for and what drives us each and every day.