How to Pick the Best Background Music for Your Film or Ad

How to Pick the Best Background Music for Your Film or Ad

Imagine this: You’ve spent months crafting the perfect film or ad. The visuals are stunning, the actors delivered Oscar-worthy performances, and the story? Pure magic. But then tragedy strikes. You picked the wrong background music. Now, your emotional scene sounds like a circus act. Your high-energy ad feels like a lullaby. And your intense action moment? It’s giving romantic picnic vibes.

Let’s not let that happen. Here’s how to pick the right background music so your project hits exactly the way you want it to.

Step 1: Match the Mood (Or Risk Total Chaos)

Music isn’t just background noise - it’s emotional glue. Pick the wrong track, and you can ruin the entire vibe of your project.

🎭 Drama? You need deep, cinematic orchestration.

😂 Comedy? Light, playful tunes with bouncy beats.

💼 Corporate ad? Clean and professional but not “elevator music.”

🔥 Action? Intense drums, fast-paced rhythms, and dramatic buildups.

Think of it as dressing for the occasion. You wouldn’t wear a tuxedo to a beach party, right? (Unless you’re James Bond.)

Step 2: Consider the Silence

Fun fact: Silence is also music. If every second of your film or ad is drowning in sound, nothing stands out. Strategic pauses build tension, highlight emotions, and make the music hit harder when it finally comes in. Ever noticed how horror movies go dead silent before the big scare? That’s because silence makes people nervous. Use it wisely.

Step 3: Don’t Let Music Steal the Spotlight

Your background music is there to support the visuals - not fight them for attention. If your dialogue sounds like it’s competing with a dramatic orchestra, turn it down or pick a track with fewer distractions. You don’t want your audience asking, “Wait, what did they just say?”

Pro tip: If your scene is heavy on dialogue, go for instrumental tracks. No lyrics. No accidental confusion.

Step 4: Know When to Go Exclusive vs. Royalty-Free

I already covered this in another post, but here's a quick recap:

🎬 Big-budget film? Exclusive, custom-made music.

📺 Ad that needs a quick turnaround? High-quality royalty-free music.

🎥 Indie project? Semi-exclusive options for a balance between cost and originality. (Or, you know… hire me for a track that fits perfectly. Just saying. 😉)

Final Notes (The Grand Finale)

Music can turn a good film into a masterpiece - or a masterpiece into a mess. Choose wisely. Test different tracks. And if in doubt, go with your gut. Or better yet, go with a professional.