How common or uncommon is it for a full-length film--not a music video--to be developed around the lyrics of a specific song? Thanks.
I just thought of another--Dolly's "9 to 5."
Oh. I see how that could happen either way--song first or write a song for a film. Yes. I am aware of issues with rights. As a musician, I am brainstorming ways I might be able to work with an indie film maker. So, in this case, if an indie producer or director had general concepts in place but needed more fleshing out and couldn't afford an experienced script writer, I would consider submitting a demo of my script skills, based upon the lyrics to one of my songs and charge small fees for writing the script and using my song in the film. I am much quicker at coming up with dialogue than I am recording several instrument tracks for each song. I understand that funding is often an issue for independents of all types.That was written for the film.
Just be careful; getting the rights to a song can be VERY expensive, at least at the indie level. For one project on which I worked they wanted to use "The Middle" by Jimmy Eats World. They wanted $10,000 plus a ridiculous amount of points.
Led Zeppelin declined to let them use "Dazed and Confused" for the film of the same name. They have regretted it ever since. But that was a "big" budget film.
As Alcove Audio already mentioned "9 to 5" was a song written for theOh, yes. Now, I remember. I just thought of another--Dolly's "9 to 5." Seems like a very straight forward way to come up with a script and have some of the music from the get go.
I don't think film people have a preference. We like scripts based on novelsDo you think most film people prefer to use scripts written from "scratch" or scripts based upon novels and other available sources? I am guessing it has something to do with which script writers the producer and director already know?
Not a bad idea at all. Having a good script to show your skill as a writer can be veryAs a musician, I am brainstorming ways I might be able to work with an indie film maker. So, in this case, if an indie producer or director had general concepts in place but needed more fleshing out and couldn't afford an experienced script writer, I would consider submitting a demo of my script skills, based upon the lyrics to one of my songs and charge small fees for writing the script and using my song in the film.