Why Choosing the Right Soundtrack is Crucial for Your Video Production

Creative depiction of musical notes in vibrant colours.

In a world saturated with visual content, what truly sets your corporate video apart? Does your brand or business genuinely grasp the importance of the music underlying its visuals? Melody, rhythm, and beats are not mere background elements. Music is the heartbeat of your brand's message. It's all too easy to overlook, but choosing the wrong music for your production can be a costly oversight.

Now imagine the disconcerting experience of attending an orchestra where instruments are playing out of tune and rhythm. Just as this discordance would create an effect, a corporate video that is not in sync with its soundtrack can result in a disjointed viewer experience. Remember every video tells a story. It is the music that sets its tone and rhythm. A scene depicting a city can exude energy with a soundtrack or evoke introspection with a more sombre tone. Since music is subjective, making the right choice often involves resonating with your target audience than relying on personal preferences. Neglecting this aspect and selecting based on taste can be a crucial mistake.

The power of music in shaping a video's storyline is crucial. It's important to recognize that while trends have their reasons and can indicate formulas, they shouldn't hinder innovation or discourage taking risks. Also, music is subjective, which can make the selection challenging at times. The key is to resonate with your target audience than solely relying on personal preferences. Neglecting this aspect and choosing based on taste can be a major mistake. However, by daring to be different and making risks in your musical choices your business could not only follow trends but also set them. It's ironic that the first company to break conventions often becomes the trendsetter others aspire to imitate. In this context, the significance of music’s influence becomes apparent as it plays an unsung hero role in shaping a video's narrative. So, make use of its potential, be courageous in your decisions and let your corporate video become the guiding light for others. 

There is evidence that further underscores the role of music as studies have demonstrated. Research published in "Nature Neuroscience" has revealed that music has the ability to trigger the release of dopamine which is associated with pleasure and reward (Salimpoor et al., 2011). Furthermore, a study conducted by the "Journal of Consumer Research" demonstrated that background music has the potential to impact consumers perceptions of products and even influence their spending behaviours (North et al., 1999). These findings indicate that in the realm of videos a selected soundtrack can not only enhance emotional connections but also potentially sway viewers perceptions. 

It remains crucial to understand your audience. While it may be challenging to cater to every individual’s preference, aligning your video's soundtrack with emotional touchpoints relevant to your target demographic can significantly amplify its resonance. The goal is to strike a chord that renders your message memorable and impactful. 

Illustrating the Profound Influence of Music on Video

To grasp the potential of music in video content let us delve into a simple yet impactful illustration.

Scenario - A 30 second clip featuring an individual walking through a city during sunset.

1. Paced and Upbeat Track

With this soundtrack, energy pulsates through the video. Every step taken by the person resonates with purpose as if they are racing against time or heading towards an exhilarating destination.

As the city is wrapped in the embrace of the setting sun, it comes alive with energy and vitality, offering a world brimming with possibilities. The accompanying footage captures the moving cars, fluttering birds and bustling crowds perfectly matching the rhythm and adding a sense of urgency and liveliness.

2. A Slow, Melancholic Melody 

Change the music track. Suddenly the narrative takes a shift. Despite the city’s hustle and bustle everything seems to move in motion around an individual. Each step carries an air of contemplation evoking feelings of nostalgia or deep introspection. The sunset no longer signifies the end of a day but symbolizes the closing of a chapter in one’s life. Accordingly, the accompanying footage slows down to focus on lingering shots of moments, like a setting sun, a bench, or gently swaying trees. This emphasizes reflection and tranquillity. 

This portrayal highlights a truth. While the video itself remains unchanged, music has the power to transform its emotional landscape completely when harmonized with appropriate visuals. It underscores that selecting the soundtrack goes beyond personal artistic preference. It's a deliberate choice that weaves together every aspect of a video’s fabric.

Final Thoughts

In today’s landscape, filled with an abundance of content, it is crucial to have a refined approach to stand out. Corporate videos provide a combination of visuals and sound that captivate audiences. While the visuals tell the story the music sets the tone and rhythm. Selecting the soundtrack is not a bonus and is essential. Take your time to choose a soundtrack that will deeply resonate with your viewers and make your corporate video truly impactful.


References:

  1. Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.

  2. North, A. C., Hargreaves, D. J., & McKendrick, J. (1999). The influence of in-store music on wine selections. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84(2), 271.

Nigel Camp

Filmmaker with a focus on creating imaginative videos and impactful campaigns that deliver great outcomes.

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