Music

[Ron Maiden]

Does anyone reference songs in their scripts? apparently some places say this is a complete no-no, which is a shame as i wanted to mention specific songs playing at certain scenes, mostly because they're actually subtle references/in-jokes where the lyrics/subject directly relate to what's going on.

[RylenolFlu]

I think this issue is mostly a contextual one. For example, I believe that it is frowned upon when you insert songs to be playing in the background when they have no relevance to your story. But, for example, if the song has an immediate relevance to dialogue or a scene in the film (if a character is singing along to it) then I believe you can get away with it.

So, ...indicating what background music should play = illegit
...music relevant to a particular scene or dialogue = legit

[Ron Maiden]

so the obvious next question is : if i mention a song that has relevant lyrics, do you put a little note in brackets to explain when you mention it? i've done other little suble in-joke/reference things in such things as a character's car licence plate etc, i'm wondering if i should explain those too?

[clockwork]

I know I wouldn't do it but the ultimate decision is yours.

From a creative POV, I don't like the idea of my script relying on something that I haven't written to make its point.

But there are a lot of practical reasons why I wouldn't as well. What if the reader hates the idea of me putting a song in? Worse, what if a reader hates that song! If I put a song in, will the reader think, "This guy's referenced a song that would cost half a million dollars to licence, what does he know about scriptwriting and filmmaking?" And of course, by the time the script is optioned, bought, green-lit, produced, edited and shown, the song may have become irrelevant or replaced with something more appropriate or cost-sensitive.

Why not subsititute something generic and then mention your preference when you get optioned?

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Jack is making breakfast. Israeli trance music plays on the radio.

But if you feel you must, I'd suggest going no further than naming the song title and artist.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Jack is making breakfast. Yesterday by The Beatles plays on the radio.

Putting actual lyrics into your script seems like overkill. I've seen it done in plenty of pro scripts but if I were a reader, unless I LOVED the song, I'm likely just going to skim them. I'm certainly not going to start humming or break into song. ;)

My two cents, VMMV.

[Ron Maiden]

The script doesn't RELY on it, it's just something i put in, as additional "colour", if you prefer. the lyrics aren't in the script either, like i said it's just one of those things where it would be a relevant song if you twigged what the lyrics were, etc. it's just like little in-jokes, like say i had a character complaining about a horrible hotel experience, and (although ultimately irrelevant to the plot) made note that the brochure on his desk was for the Overlook Hotel. An added little smile for the person who gets the in-joke about Stephen King's haunted place, if they don't well that's fine : not everyone gets in-jokes etc in a movie anyways.

[LIVIN]

My two cents:

For 95-99% of scripts, don't get specific with music. Why? Because 95-99% of scripts don't rely on it.

And since the OP says:

The script doesn't RELY on it, it's just something i put in, as additional "colour", if you prefer.

I'd back off. Step away from the keyboard now please.

it's just one of those things where it would be a relevant song if you twigged what the lyrics were

It sounds like you're Mickey Mousing.

As defined by Wiki: "'Mickey Mousing' is also used to criticise that a visual action is - without good reason - being duplicated in accompanying music or text, therefore being a weakness of the production rather than a strength."

A real life example from one of my film classes - a short film had Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear the Reaper playing during the entirity of the film in which there was an actual grim reaper. Funny/interesting for the first moment, but only for the first moment, then it's just old and well, it's mickey mousing. You've taken away any build the scene can have.

Now for the other 1-5%. It must be a theme of the movie. Example: High Fidelity. It must be crucial to the story. It must be the story. So, on that one script that you must write for yourself - no matter what everyone else in the world says - go nuts, but give it reason, large reason, insurmountable reason.