Great post, Scott. I wouldn't have even felt the need to add to it, if you didn't specifically ask for professional readers to reply.

I think first-time screenwriters tend to use more licensed music in their scripts than is necessary. When it comes to using the actual song in a script, I tend to say "Don't do it. And if you must, only do it once."

And here's the other catch - you shouldn't include the songs frivalously. Don't toss in a Dylan song just because you like Dylan or you've been dying to use it in a montage. However, I'd also say you don't want to have SUCH a specific use of the song that if the rights holder says no, you're screwed. What if the song you want is key to your entire movie, but costs as much as your entire music budget?

And never, ever, EVER give editing directions, like trying to sync up certain visuals in the script with specific creschendos in the music.

Yeah, there's probably an execption or two someone can toss out there. I don't think that citing those would be productive because 99% of the time they're attached to Tarantino and Crowe scripts - which is irrelevant for most of your (unrepped) readers.

I talk about this a little more in my post here.

Short answer, I'm a big proponent of "a song like ____ plays." As far as characters singing popular songs, that's probably less likely to raise a concern, but again, do this sparingly

I work for a music supervision company, and I often read the scripts for the films we work on.

For the most part, unless you're Cameron Crowe, writers have little to no say about which songs will be used in a film.

I have seen writers choose specific songs in a script, and it doesn't hurt the chances of that script being picked up. Most readers know that the music can and will change. In fact, sometimes putting a note in your story about which song could be used can help a reader Go Into The Story even more.

Thanks TBSR and Pace for your feedback.

Pace: That's a good point to remember -- most screenwriters will have little to no control over songs chosen to accompany / use in a movie. Another reason to take TBSR's point to heart: Use songs sparingly - because more than likely, they won't get used in the movie anyhow.

Dudes, I'm SO BUSTED for using music in my script that I don't hold the rights to. :(

BUT I put 'em in anyway BECAUSE songs SUGGEST a tone. Sure, if my script ever gets bought the music may not be used, BUT those making the film will have an emotion base-line for beats in the script.

Music conveys emotion.

Lines of a script can easily be changed to take out elements that can't be afforded.

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

For a spec script, John August said put in if it conveys the emotion you want.

We haven't really addressed the using lines from a song yet. Does anyone know if this is acceptable?

As a terrible example off the top of my head, Character A says "Should we run?" Character B replies (not singing) "Baby, we were born to run," or perhaps even just "I was born to run."

I'm assuming that's okay, if you just use 6 spoken words that happen to be the title of the song?

I look at the use of songs, poems, book quotes as a kind of cheat. Unless it's important to the story/plot, then relying on someone else's words to convey your intended emotion is a cheat. The writer should be able to tell their story without using the crutch of a song.

Darren - If you just mention the title of a song, it's okay.

If you actually have a character saying two or more lines of a song, then you have to get the rights to it. In this case, just from the publisher. If you use the song, you have to get permission from the publisher as well as the rights to whatever recorded version you are using. That's why it is cheaper to have an unknown artist record that Stones song instead of using the original.

Some people don't know, but "Happy Birthday" isn't public domain. So if your characters sing that song, you have to pay for it.

If you use song lyrics, it is the same as using a poem or quoting dialogue from another film, you pay for it.

My suggestion is don't do it at all. Use words to describe the tone of your script instead of "cheating" and using songs.

People are looking for writers with a voice, not one who can't explain the tone of his/her film without resorting to putting in The Door's "Rider on the Storm".

I try to be generic with musical references even though it is central to my enjoyment of the script I'm writing, so much so that I will play the music I have in mind when I'm writing scenes. In fact, the title of the script I have up on the GITS message board is lifted from a Drive By Truckers song.
I prefer the reader to insert themselves into the story as much as possible. Still, I've heard stories of producers and directors clicking with something because they love the music as well.
My fantasy, since I work small and the music I tend to like is not 'big time' is to one day have a band or musician score my movie. Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of such an approach, apart from getting someone to want to do it? Are the music rights any less complicated or less expensive?

"Upbeat '80s one-hit wonder" conveys the tone just as much as saying someone plays "Come on, Eileen."