Composing music for programmes is very different from writing a jingle, though the two forms do share one property; they are selling an idea.

In the case of a jingle we are often asked to come up with a commercial as the result of a marketing brief. When we are commissioned to compose music for, say, a documentary, we have to fit in with the vision of the director or producer.

Inevitably we are supplying music to fit a picture, and in the case of a documentary we could be writing an hour or more of music, carefully tailored to the final cut.

Exactly when we are involved in the production process seems to vary considerably. Quite often, in the case of docs, we are approached as the offline edit is starting. We then might write a couple of themes that can be tried in the offline so as to establish speed, style and how much will actually be required.

I do not like committing myself too early, however. One of the major problems in using a lot of music in a documentary (this is particularly so in the US) is that the music often fights with the voice over. An advantage of commissioning original music is that the composer can make sure that when the voice over is talking, the music is kept simple and unobtrusive - supplying the right atmosphere. And when the voice stops, then the music can make points of its own!

From my point of view, therefore, it is really important that the cut that I am supplied has at least the guide voice, and preferably the final voice, already in place.

If you are considering original music in your next programme or film, please contact me as early as possible. Although it may be too soon for me to actually start writing, if we have ironed out the process and what you have in mind in terms of style, quantity and prevalence, the final result should be really worth the wait!