Getting the Score

Here is a glossary of terms to help directors speak the lingo. The page is continually getting added to, so if you know of any terms you think should be listed here, let me know!

Click book. A collection of tables of timings with one page for each individual tempo.

Click track. A sequence of metronomic beats used to synchronize music to film.

Cue. An individual  piece of music as used in the film.

Free timing. The conducting and performance of a cue without the aid of a click track.

Ghost writing. Composing of film music without credit.

Hard hit. The precise synchronization of a musical accent to an on screen event. (Also “Dead hit”)

Hit. A musical accent or event synchronized to on a on screen event.

Main title. The music written for the main titles of the film.

Mechanical royalties. Royalties paid by the record manufacturer to the copyright holder.

MIDI. Musical Instrument Digital Interface. The data used to control digital musical instruments.

Mock up: A synthesizer version of a cue that a composer does. This is a sketch to show the director to get his approval.

Music editor. The person responsible for all details regarding the synchronization of the score to the picture.

Samples. Digital recordings of musical instruments to be played back by a MIDI controller or a MIDI sequencer in order to reproduce the sounds of acoustic instruments.

Sequencer. A computer program that can save both MIDI and audio data. The MIDI data is received from a controller such as a MIDI keyboard and operates sound generating devices or programs, while the audio comes from microphone.

Source Music. Music that comes from a source present on or off screen and is not part of the dramatic underscore. This can be music coming from a band or a radio, for example.

Tempo. The speed of music, indicated in clicks per minute.