FIRST EMAIL AND FILM SCORE BRIEF
Templates by Robinson Senpauroca
https://robinsonsenpauroca.com/blog/en/first-email-film-composer-brief-template/

FIRST EMAIL
Subject: [Film title] / original score enquiry / [scoring window]

Hello [name],

I am [role] on [title], a [format and approximate running time] about
[short premise]. I found your work through [specific project or
introduction]. The way you handled [specific musical quality] seems
relevant to our film.

We are looking for music that [dramatic purpose]. Our main open question
is [scene or narrative uncertainty]. Here is [labelled screener or
selected scene], with [access details]. The current cut is [version and
status].

We expect [scoring window], with [confirmed or target picture lock] and
[dub date]. The score budget is [amount and currency, or status],
intended to cover [scope]. We estimate [music quantity, if known],
subject to a spotting discussion. [Name or role] is coordinating sound post.

Would you be interested and available for a short conversation? We would
like to discuss the musical approach, your proposed scope and the
information you need to prepare a quote.

Best, [name and contact]

WORKING BRIEF AFTER THE FIRST CALL
Project, format, running time, director and producer: [ ]
Story viewpoint and musical purpose: [ ]
What should remain uncertain for the audience: [ ]
Scene to explore, picture version and access: [ ]
Reference links, useful features and unwanted features: [ ]
Temp track status and viewing copy without temp: [ ]
On-screen musical constraints: [ ]
Picture status, expected changes and confirmed/target lock: [ ]
Frame rate and timecode to confirm with the editor: [ ]
Scoring window, reviews and dub date: [ ]
Budget, currency, scope and open questions: [ ]
Creative decision maker and person collecting notes: [ ]
Music editor and sound post contacts: [ ]
Purpose of first cue approval: idea, shape or finished recording: [ ]
Deliverables: full mixes, agreed alternates and stems: [ ]
Formats, start points and naming to confirm with sound post: [ ]

Mark unknowns explicitly instead of guessing.