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THE BEST HALLOWEEN MOVIES FOR KIDS

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    It’s spooky season again – one of our favourite times of the year! Whether you’re out trick or treating, or staying in, you’ll need a Halloween movie to get you in the mood. There’s no shortage of good Halloween movies for kids, you just need to pick the scare level according to their appetite for thrills. From cute animations to all-out terror, you can put together a kid friendly Halloween movie marathon. So grab your popcorn, pop a candle into a carved pumpkin for atmospheric lighting and prepare… to be scared!

    Here's our pick of the best fun family Halloween movies.

    The Best Halloween Movies for Kids

    • Coco
    • Beetlejuice
    • Ghostbusters
    • Casper
    • Goosebumps
    • The Muppets Haunted Mansion
    • The Addams Family

    Coco (2017)

    Although this Pixar hit is actually about the Mexican Day of the Dead, it’s a great kid-friendly Halloween movie. The touching story follows Miguel, an aspiring young musician who wants to play guitar like his idol. He finds himself in the Land of the Dead, and his journey back to the land of the living enables him to learn about his family.

    The soundtrack features eight original songs, written by Germaine Franco, Adrian Molina, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Interestingly, Coco was originally intended to be a full musical, but the plans were scrapped following early test screenings.

    However, the songs that are included remain some of Pixar’s best, with the beautiful lullaby ‘Remember Me’ winning the Oscar for Best Original Song.

    The colourful animation will appeal to kids, whilst the moving approach to questions of culture, family, life, death and pursuing your passions means it scores highly with the grown-ups too.

    Beetlejuice (1988)

    ‘Their house is being haunted by the living’

    Bring the crazy this Halloween with an 80s classic. Michael Keaton has rarely been better as ‘no ordinary ghost’ Beetlejuice, plus you’ve got Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)

    Davis and Baldwin are a recently deceased couple who find themselves haunting their former home. Having failed to scare away new homeowners the Deetz family, they call on ‘bio-exorcist’ Betelgeuse, who proceeds to cause absolute mayhem. Goth daughter Lydia (Ryder) is the only one who can see the ghosts.

    This early Tim Burton vision is full of brilliantly weird effects, including stop motion and puppetry, and features a score by Danny Elfman, who went on to become Burton’s go-to composer. Plus, there are two original Harry Belafonte tracks, ‘Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)’ and ‘Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)’.

    Ghostbusters (1984)

    The 80s was a vintage decade for scares, including the first outing of the Ghostbusters franchise hitting the screen. Ghostbusters has a fantastic cold-open with something supernatural tearing up the New York Public Library - who you gonna call? Well, professors Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) – AKA the Ghostbusters – of course.

    The paranormal investigation and elimination service the three set up (adding in Winston Zeddemore, played by Ernie Hudson) in a disused firehouse became a huge hit, spawning sequels as recently as 2021 (Ghostbusters: Afterlife, starring Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard), plus all-female reboot Ghostbusters: Answer the Call.

    The soundtrack for the original movie was composed by Hollywood legend Elmer Bernstein, and performed with a full orchestra, the Hollywood Studio Symphony. Director Ivan Reitman apparently wanted a grounded, realistic score that didn’t tell the audience when something was funny. The eerie effect was created with an ondes Martenot – effectively a keyboard equivalent of a theremin.

    Plus, of course, you’ve got the brilliant Ray Parker Jr theme tune if you want to dance around the sitting room with your proton packs.

    Casper (1995)

    When it comes to scary movies for kids, start the littlest ones off with the aptly-named Casper the Friendly Ghost. Based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character, it was the first feature film to have a full CGI character as the lead role.

    The film stars Bill Pullman, Eric Idle and Christina Ricci, as Kathleen Harvey, the daughter of ghost therapist Dr James Harvey, whom Casper recruits to help him handle some unfinished business…

    The dreamy, orchestral soundtrack was composed by award-winning composer James Horner.

    Goosebumps (2015)

    Think ‘Jumanji for books’ and you’re on the right page with Goosebumps (sorry). Zach moves in next to Hannah and her scary-seeming dad, R.L. Stine (Jack Black), author of the best-selling Goosebumps series. The books in their house are locked up for a reason: if you unlock them, it releases the monster inside.

    When Zach unintentionally unleashes a legion of monsters – from the Abominable Snowman to a horde of gnomes, via Fifi the Vampire Poodle and the Body Squeezers, it’s up to Stine, Zach and Hannah to trap them and get them back into the books where they belong before they completely destroy their small town.

    This is a zippy creature feature for kids and Jack Black is a hoot. The film is rounded off with a spooky score by Danny Elfman.

    The Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

    If you’re after a fun Halloween movie for families, and you want some music with your monsters, no-one brings it quite like the Muppets. Gonzo accepts the challenge to spend a night in a haunted mansion, and the guest stars include Taraji P. Henson, John Stamos, Yvette Nicole Brown and Darren Criss – together with, of course, Kermit, Miss Piggy and Fozzi bear – for ‘a party to die for’.

    The original songs are written by Ed Mitchell and Steve Morell, plus there’s a cover of ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’.

    The Addams Family (1991)

    Based on the cartoon created by Charles Addams and the 1964 TV series, Anjelica Huston was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance as macabre matriarch Morticia Addams. Yes, they’re creepy and they’re kooky, but they’re also tons of fun. Plus, there’s inspiration for a Halloween outfit for everyone in the family. If make-up isn’t your bag, then just pull all your hair over your face, and go as Cousin Itt.

    The soundtrack was created by Marc Shaiman, who’s worked on everything from When Harry Met Sally to Sister Act, Hairspray to the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated Mary Poppins Returns.

    Want more Addams family? Watch out for Wednesday Addams on Netflix – the series brings together Jenna Ortega as Wednesday, alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Gusman, Christina Ricci and Gwendoline Christie, as Wednesday attends Nevermore Academy in a sleuthing, supernaturally-infused mystery.

    More Scares

    If you’re looking to be more creative than just pumpkin carving, then why not read our deep dive on how to make a horror movie. Then explore our picks of the best horror movie soundtracks and the science behind scary music. Plus, there are a tonne of Halloween-themed ads from top brands to enjoy.

    Looking for music for your own horror content? We have heaps of Halloween playlists to choose from. Or discover the very latest albums in our playlist hub.

    DISCOVER: HALLOWEEN PLAYLIST

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    THE BEST HALLOWEEN CAMPAIGNS OF ALL TIME

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      Halloween is the perfect opportunity to get creative with your campaigns. From dedicated, limited-edition Halloween branding to Halloween social media campaigns, we’ve rounded up the scariest, spookiest and silliest in Halloween marketing for your delight. From Heinz and Call of Duty to the big guns of Universal Studios and KFC’s 80s-inspired horror promo, do you dare to be scared?

      Here are the brands who’ve produced the most frightfully fabulous Halloween marketing campaigns:

      • Heinz
      • Universal Studios
      • Disney Channel
      • KFC
      • Call of Duty

      The Best Halloween Campaigns

      Heinz Tomato Blood

      If you don’t want to splash out on fake blood from the costume shop, then ketchup makes a pretty good substitute. To promote their limited-edition Halloween branded ‘Tomato Blood’ bottle design, Heinz enlisted TikTok creator E.J. Marcus to play the role of a vegetarian vampire, Toby, in a playful ad scheduled during the premiere of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire series.

      Cute and funny, if you’re a What We Do in the Shadows fan, then you’ll recognise the idea of having a vampire housemate. Heinz have chosen classic comedy eerie music as the soundtrack, as ‘influencer vampire’ Toby earnestly tries to persuade more vampires to go veggie – ‘Because humans are people too!’ The video is also streaming on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, targeting Gen Z buyers.

      Universal Studios – Halloween Horror Nights

      Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights promise terrifying haunted houses, sinister scare zones, outrageous live entertainment and exciting attractions.

      This promo film starring ‘the scream squad’ features teen characters Selfie Queen, The Snacker, Superfan, The Jock and more, who learn that you need to stick together, or you won’t last long…

      The film features some horror classics, such as Michael Myers and his hockey mask from the original Halloween, a creepy, Children of the Corn-style attack, plus – of course – zombies.

      There’s a series of promos featuring horror names including Blumhouse Productions (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, The Purge, Get Out).

      Plus, there are character stand-alones, such as this one featuring The Jock and the Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

      And Legends Collide in this monster-themed spot starring The Snacker.

      The visuals are all matched by creepy sound effects, references to classic horror soundtracks (including Halloween) and, of course, plenty of screams…

      Disney Channel - Calling all the Monsters

      And if you are staying in on All Hallows Eve with the kids, then rest assured, the Disney Channel has you covered.

      What a festival of family-friendly frights! The Worst Witch, Frankenweenie, all the Hotel Transylvania films, Under Wraps, Bunk’d, Toy Story of Terror and so much more. You’ll need the whole month of October to watch them all.

      KFC – La Masacre/The Massacre

      KFC have turned to 80s-inspired horror for their Halloween campaign. The long-form video ad campaign released in Spain supports their pizza menu and unleashes hot, gory, Evil Dead-style mayhem.

      Created by PS21 and directed by Spanish filmmaker NYSU, The Massacre was inspired by the work of horror legends Sam Raimi, Joe Dante and Tobe Hooper. The 14-minute short tells the story of five friends who drive to a remote cabin (‘Someone’s bound to have died here!’) for a weekend of fun. There’s been a communications mix-up: they have plenty of booze, but no food, until a stack of mysterious pizzas arrives… It’s probably best not to eat food from ‘Semetary Pizza’, is all we’ll say.

      The title sequence of the film is definitely tapping into the love for horror-tastic Season 4 of Stranger Things, with the red text and 80s electronic soundtrack. It’s a great piece of horror filmmaking and keeps you hooked till the end, which is no mean feat for a spoof.

      Call of Duty

      Call of Duty really brought the scares with their interactive zombie street prank scare in London. Created to celebrate the release of Call of Duty: Vanguard, you can’t fault the zombies created for a Zombie Trophy Head Wall targeting unsuspecting Londoners. The interactive installation definitely succeeded in freaking people out!

      The promo video of amusing reactions to the creepy installment starts off with classic, tension-filled music to showcase the zombie heads, before veering off into a more comedic track, featuring a German vocal. This ties into a theme of the fun offered by the game: ‘The only thing better than killing a zombie, is killing a Nazi zombie.’

      Still Want More?

      We have loads more of the best Halloween ads on our blog, plus a deep dive on the ultimate horror movie soundtracks. And if you want to try your hand at creating your own horror content, then check out our expert guide to how to make a horror movie.

      If you just want to get into the spirit (ha) of things, then we’ve got any number of horror and Halloween playlists for you. Plus, if you’re looking for music to license, then we have music for advertising and music for TV programmes in every possible genre.

      Need Music for Your Project?

      At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

      SIGN UP

      This page was updated 21/05/2024.

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      THE BEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF 2023

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        Music fans have enjoyed a storming start to 2023 so far. We’ve had huge pop releases from Raye, Lewis Capaldi and Lana Del Rey, future indie classics from Paramore, Lankum and Phoebe Bridgers-fronted supergroup Boygenius, plus storming hip hop from Lil Yachty, Killer Mike and JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown.

        But which made the Official Charts Company’s list of the best-selling albums of 2023 so far? As ever, it’s an intriguing mix of this year’s releases, albums that have been on heavy rotation since 2017 and heritage greatest hits collections.

        To discover which ‘23 albums are currently rubbing shoulders with the likes of Oasis’ Time Flies 1994-2009, Harry Styles’ Harry House and most of Taylor Swift’s back catalogue, just keep reading. Plus, we round up the latest releases we expect to hit the top 25 in the end of the year chart, as well as the big albums still to come in 2023.

        Best-Selling Albums of 2023 So Far

        • The Weeknd – The Highlights
        • Taylor Swift – Midnights
        • Harry Styles – Harry’s House
        • SZA – SOS
        • Elton John – Diamonds
        • Lewis Capaldi – Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent
        • Eminem – Curtain Call: The Hits
        • Ed Sheeran – – (Minus)
        • Fleetwood Mac – 50 Years: Don’t Stop
        • Lewis Capaldi – Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent
        • Arctic Monkeys – AM
        • Ed Sheeran – = (Equals)
        • ABBA – Gold: Greatest Hits
        • Pink – Trustfall
        • Oasis – Time Flies: 1994-2009
        • Taylor Swift – 1989
        • Queen – Greatest Hits
        • Ed Sheeran – Divide (÷)
        • Taylor Swift – Lover
        • Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
        • Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
        • Harry Styles – Fine Line
        • Taylor Swift – Folklore
        • Little Mix – Between Us
        • Beyoncé – Renaissance

        Top Albums of 2023 So Far

        The Weeknd – The Highlights

        • Release date: 5th February 2021
        • Label: XO, Republic
        • Standout tracks: ‘Blinding Lights’, ‘Wicked Games’, ‘The Hills’, ‘I Feel It Coming’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Alt R&B

        Having ranked at number four in 2022’s year-long chart, Abel Tesfaye’s greatest hits has climbed the rankings to number one. The boost in sales can be explained by the fact his After Hours Til Dawn tour has finally reached Europe, and by the fact the Canadian singer recently took a starring role in HBO’s music industry satire The Idol.

        Taylor Swift – Midnights

        • Release date: 21th October 2022
        • Label: Republic Records
        • Standout tracks: ‘Anti-Hero’, ‘Lavender Haze’, ‘Bejeweled’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        From her rumoured relationship with The 1975’s Matty Healy to the launch of her phenomenally successful Eras World Tour, Taylor Swift has barely been out of the headlines in 2023. As a result, her 10th album has received a big sales boost, climbing to number two in the best-selling albums of 2023 so far. And as the sales records keep coming, you can expect Swift to be placing prominently in the official end of year charts.

        Read about the best female artists of all-time over on The Edit.

        Harry Styles – Harry’s House

        • Release date: 20th May 2022
        • Label: Columbia Records
        • Standout tracks: ‘As it Was’, ‘Satellite’, ‘Music For A Sushi Restaurant’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        There’s simply no stopping Harry Styles’ third album, Harry’s House. Having shifted a staggering 460,000 UK chart units throughout 2022, in 2023 it won Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Grammy Awards, as well as British Album of the Year at 43rd Brit Awards. Combine these big critical wins with the ongoing success of Styles’ Love On Tour stadium shows, and you can see why Holmes Chapel’s biggest export is still dominating the charts.

        SZA – SOS

        • Release date: 9th December 2022
        • Label: Top Dawg Entertainment, RCA Records
        • Standout tracks: ‘Nobody Gets Me’, ‘Kill Bill’, ‘I Hate U’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: R&B

        SZA might have released her second album too late to be considered for any of the annual Best Of lists, but she’s truly dominated the charts for the last six months, making history on the Billboard Hot 100 as the longest running female owned number one album this decade. SOS remains a masterclass from the New Jersey-raised R&B singer, and features the huge singles ‘Kill Bill’, ‘Nobody Gets Me’ and ‘Good Days’, plus cameos from Travis Scott, Don Toliver and Phoebe Bridgers.

        Elton John – Diamonds

        • Release date: 10th November 2017
        • Label: Rocket, Virgin EMI
        • Standout tracks: ‘Your Song’, ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, ‘Tiny Dancer’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Glam Rock

        Climbing two places from 2022, Elton John’s greatest hits compilation has made it into the top five best-selling albums of 2023 so far. June’s triumphant Glastonbury performance doubtless gave sales a boost, seeing Watford’s finest winding up his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour with a little help from rising stars Rina Sawayama, Stephen Sanchez and Gabriels’ Jacob Lusk.

        Lewis Capaldi – Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent

        • Release date: 19th May 2023
        • Label: Capitol, Vertigo
        • Standout tracks: ‘Forget You’, ‘Wish You The Best’, ‘Pointless’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        It’s been a rollercoaster of a year so far for Lewis Capaldi. Fresh from releasing his smash Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now, the Scottish singer-songwriter scored a huge hit with his sophomore effort Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent. According to the Official Charts, it was “the biggest opening week of his career and the biggest first week for an album of 2023 so far, netting over 95,000 chart units in its first seven days of release.”

        Having had to curtail his recent Glastonbury performance, Capaldi has now taken an indefinite break from touring to “adjust to the impact” of living with Tourette syndrome. To borrow his own turn of phrase, we wish him all the best.

        Eminem – Curtain Call: The Hits

        • Released date: 6th December 2005
        • Label: Shady, Aftermath, Interscope
        • Standout tracks: ‘My Name Is’, ‘Lose Yourself’, ‘Stan’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: US Hip Hop

        There’s simply no stopping Slim Shady. Since 2005, the Detroit rapper’s ‘05 greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits has been a consistent seller. After going 8x platinum in the US in 2021, and a triumphant live performance during 2022’s Super Bowl Half-Time Show, Eminem climbed the UK chart rankings in 2023 to number seven.

        Read about the best-selling hip hop albums of all-time over on The Edit.

        Ed Sheeran – – (Minus)

        • Released date: 5th May 2023
        • Label: Asylum, Atlantic
        • Standout tracks: ‘Eyes Closed’, ‘Curtains’, ‘End Of Youth’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Acoustic Pop

        Another new Ed Sheeran album can only mean one thing: another shot at chart domination. Concluding his mathematical series, the largely acoustic – (Minus) features production from EDM wunderkind Fred Again, Aaron Dessner of The National and bulletproof pop purveyor Max Martin. We expect to see this one riding even higher in the charts come the close of 2023.

        Fleetwood Mac – 50 Years: Don’t Stop

        • Release date: 16th November 2018
        • Label: Rhino
        • Standout tracks: ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘Landslide’, ‘The Chain’, ‘Dreams’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop Rock

        Fleetwood Mac’s 2018 compilation album entitled 50 Years: Don’t Stop is yet to take its own advice and stop selling. Clearly, none of us can resist the appeal of listening to the rock band's hits back-to-back, and when a track like ‘Go Your Own Way’ still sounds this fresh, it’s little wonder.

        Lewis Capaldi – Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent

        • Release date: 17th May 2019
        • Label: Vertigo, Universal, Capitol
        • Standout tracks: ‘Someone You Loved’, ‘Hold Me While You Wait’, ‘Bruises’
        • Relevant Audio Network playlist: Pop

        Thanks to the recent release of his second album, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, Lewis Capaldi’s debut has received a big sales boost. There’s clearly some serious reverse psychology going on in its playfully self-deprecating title.

        Arctic Monkeys – AM

        • Release date: 9th September 2013
        • Label: Domino
        • Standout Tracks: ‘Do I Wanna Know?’, ‘R U Mine?, ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Indie

        Another Glastonbury headliner receiving a major sales boost, Arctic Monkeys have seen their classic 2013 album climb back up the charts to number 11. Considering how fresh the likes of ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ and ‘R U Mine?’ still sound almost a decade on, it’s little wonder.

        Ed Sheeran – = (Equals)

        • Release date: 29th October 2021
        • Label: Asylum, Atlantic
        • Standout tracks: ‘Bad Habits’, ‘Overpass Graffiti’, ‘The Joker and the Queen’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Acoustic Pop

        The second of three Ed Sheeran albums to make the top 25 best-selling albums of 2023 so far, = (Equals) actually came second in last year’s list.

        ABBA – Gold: Greatest Hits

        • Release date: 21st September 1992
        • Label: Polygram
        • Standout tracks: ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘The Winner Takes it All’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Waterloo’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        With sales of over 30 million, Gold is one of the world’s best-selling albums of all time.

        It’s been re-released a number of times over the decades: in 1999 to mark the group’s 25th anniversary of winning the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Waterloo’, in 2008 to coincide with the release of Mamma Mia! and in 2014 for the 40th anniversary of the Eurovision win.

        A bonafide pop classic, there’s no doubt the compilation got a boost following the opening of ABBA’s immersive live experience in London last year. You can still catch ABBA: Voyage at Pudding Mill Lane’s ABBA Arena.

        Pink – Trustfall

        • Release date: 17th February 2023
        • Label: RCA
        • Standout tracks: ‘Never Gonna Not Dance Again’, ‘Trustfall’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        Officially the most downloaded album of 2023 so far, Pink’s ninth studio album Trustfall is only the third new album in this run-down so far. That’s 23 years the Pennsylvania-born pop singer has spent at the top of her game– her debut album Can’t Take Me Home came out way back in 2000.

        Oasis – Time Flies: 1994-2009

        • Release date: 14th June 2010
        • Label: Big Brother Recordings
        • Standout tracks: ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Roll With It’, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Indie-rock

        Rock out and take yourself back to the glory days of Knebworth, Oasis vs Blur and the band’s Britpop heyday with this compilation of all 27 of their UK singles.

        Taylor Swift – 1989

        • Release date: 27th October 2014
        • Label: Big Machine
        • Standout tracks: ‘Style’, ‘Shake It Off’, ‘Blank Space’, ‘Welcome to New York’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        Thanks to the previously discussed Eras Tour effect, the second album of Tay-Tay’s to make the top 25 albums of 2023 so far is 1989, AKA the one where the princess of country finally went pop. ‘Shake It Off’ and ‘Blank Space’ were the big hits at the time, but for our money it’s ‘Style’ that really stands out.

        Queen – Greatest Hits

        • Release date: 26th October 1981
        • Label: EMI
        • Standout tracks: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Somebody to Love’, ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, ‘We Are the Champions’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Classic Rock

        Over 40 years on from its release, Queen’s Greatest Hits is still one of the UK’s best-selling albums. Currently at 25 million+ copies sold, we wonder how long Queen’s record-breaking success will go on.

        Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Divide)

        • Release date: 3rd March 2017
        • Label: Asylum, Atlantic
        • Standout tracks: ‘Shape of You’, ‘Galway Girl’, ‘Dive’, ‘Perfect’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Acoustic Pop

        The final Ed Sheeran album to make the top 25 of 2023 so far, ÷ (Divide) features wedding favourite ‘Perfect’ and the all-conquering ‘Shape Of You’. Though it’s worth noting that ‘Shape Of You’ was recently overtaken by The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ as Spotify’s most-streamed song of all-time.

        Taylor Swift – Lover

        • Release date: 23rd August 2019
        • Label: Republic
        • Standout tracks: ‘Cruel Summer’, ‘Lover’, ‘Soon You’ll Get Better’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        Hot on the heels of 1989, Taylor Swift’s 2019 album Lover has enjoyed a boost this year, climbing to number 19 in the best-selling albums of 2023 so far. Why not remind yourself of the big hits like ‘ME!’

        Olivia Rodrigo – Sour

        • Release date: 21st May 2021
        • Label: Geffen
        • Standout tracks: ‘drivers licence’, ‘brutal’, ‘good 4 u’, ‘jealousy jealousy’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Alt-Pop

        If there’s one return we’re excited for in 2023, it’s that of former Disney star Olivia Rodrigo. Set to share her second album this September, fans have clearly been getting prepped by revisiting her Grammy-winning debut.

        Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

        • Release date: 4th February 1977
        • Label: Warner Records
        • Standout tracks: ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘The Chain’, ‘Dreams’
        • Relevant Audio Network playlist: Pop Rock

        Continuing to dominate in 2023, it’s Fleetwood Mac’s seminal 1977 album Rumours – their second entry after aforementioned greatest hits compilation, 50 Years: Don’t Stop.

        A bona fide classic, it’s already been certified 15 x platinum in the UK.

        Harry Styles – Fine Line

        • Release date: 13th December 2019
        • Label: Columbia Records
        • Standout tracks: ’Watermelon Sugar’, ‘Golden’, ‘Treat People with Kindness’, ‘Falling’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        Mr Styles’ second entry on the list has everything you could want: pop-rock, psychedelic pop, folk, soul, funk and indie pop. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified triple platinum in the US and double platinum in the UK.

        It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2020 Brit Awards and received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, together with a Brit Award for British Single of the Year for ‘Watermelon Sugar’.

        Taylor Swift – Folklore

        • Release date: 24th July 2020
        • Label: Republic
        • Standout tracks: ‘Cardigan’, ‘Betty’, ‘August’
        • Relevant Audio Network playlist: Indie-folk

        The highlight of lockdown for many, Taylor Swift’s surprise eighth album saw her making her first real foray into indie-folk with a little bit of help from Aaron Dessner of The National. Three years on, Folklore’s still riding high in the charts.

        Little Mix – Between Us

        • Release date: 12th November 2021
        • Label: RCA
        • Standout tracks: ‘Move’, ‘Sweet Melody’, ‘Touch’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Pop

        Despite having now been hiatus for over a year, Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne are still on top of the world, with their 2021 greatest hits record, Between Us. The likes of ‘Move’ and ‘Sweet Melody’ haven’t aged a day.

        Beyoncé – Renaissance

        • Release date: 29th July 2022
        • Label: Parkwood, Columbia
        • Standout tracks: ‘America Has a Problem’, ‘Cuff It’, ‘Cozy’
        • Relevant Audio Network Playlist: Dance-Pop

        Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that Bey brought The Renaissance World Tour to Europe this year (reportedly raking in $154 million in the process). And all those sparkly Stetson-ed superfans have helped catapult Renaissance back up the charts.

        Contenders for the Top 25

        Olivia Rodrigo – Guts

        • Release date: 8th September 2023
        • Label: Geffen
        • Standout tracks: ‘Get Him Back!’, ‘Bad Idea Right?’, ‘Love Is Embarassing’
        • Relevant Audio Network playlist: Alt-Pop

        Olivia Rodrigo was arguably the breakthrough artist of 2021, thanks to her stunning, Grammy-winning debut Sour. Two years on, the Californian singer-songwriter returned this September with her feverishly anticipated follow-up, Guts.

        From the beautifully barbed piano-pop of lead single ‘Vampire’ to the attitude-packed pop-rock of ‘Bad Idea Right?’ and ‘Love Is Embarrassing’, it was immediately clear that Sour was no fluke. And audiences agreed too, propelling Guts to number one on both sides of the Atlantic.

        Kylie Minogue – Tension

        • Released date: 22nd September 2023
        • Label: BMG
        • Standout tracks: ‘Padam Padam’,
        • Relevant Audio Network playlist: Dance-pop

        Two words for you: ‘Padam Padam’. Yes, the Princess of Pop scored her highest UK chart position in more than 10 years with the lead single from her upcoming 16th studio album Tension. The good news is, the rest of the album more than reaches the giddy heights of that sex-positive electro-pop banger, and was hailed by Pitchfork as Kylie’s “most relaxed album in years.” It went straight to number one in the UK in its first week with 53,000 chart sales (including market-leading vinyl sales), outselling the rest of the top 5 combined.

        Albums We’re Excited for in 2023

        Holly Humberstone – Paint My Bedroom Black – 13th October

        Following in the footsteps of Adele, Florence + the Machine and Sam Smith, Holly Humberstone won the BRITs Rising Star Award in 2022 and has gone on to tour with Olivia Rodrigo and collaborate with Sam Fender and Bombay Bicycle Club.

        In mid-October, the Grantham-born singer-songwriter is set to release her hugely anticipated debut, Paint My Bedroom Black. According to Rolling Stone, “[the album] builds on the diaristic storytelling from her first couple of EPs and expands her emotional range.” Get a taster with lead single ‘Antichrist’.

        The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds – 20th October

        After an enjoyably cryptic teaser campaign, in September Mick, Keith and Ronnie announced their first studio album of original material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang. Hackney Diamonds is also the band's first LP since the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, though he does feature on a few of the tracks.

        So what can we expect musically? Well, with cameos from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Bill Wyman, it’s set to be an impressively star-studded affair. Plus lead single ‘Angry’ suggests the septuagenarians have lost none of their bite. Indeed, the Guardian hailed it a “strutting, barnstorming return.”

        Dua Lipa – TBC

        Though there’s no confirmed release date as yet, the follow-up to the phenomenally successful Future Nostalgia could drop later this year. Album number three has been in the works for a while and is reportedly “really personal”. We also know it features contributions from Caroline Polachek-producer Danny Harle. In the meantime, you can check out Dua’s Barbie soundtrack contribution below:

        The Edit

        Now that you’re up to speed on 2023’s biggest albums so far and got prepped what’s to come, it’s time to pick up some more inspiration on our blog The Edit. We’ve got an exhaustive range of articles taking in everything from the history of Japanese music and the different types of Latin genres and Brazilian music to explainers on BPM, electronic music genres, orchestral music, rock, hip hop and indie.

        Once you’re fully versed in the records that have made it big this year, last year and in 2021, it’s time to start exploring our playlists and collections including Music Made For Sync, new releases and commercial releases. Use these to discover music for your next project.

        Need Music for Your Project?

        At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

        SIGN UP

        THE BEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF 2023 Read More »

        AUDIO NETWORK VINYL

        SEX EDUCATION SEASON 4 SOUNDTRACK & REVIEW

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          After four years and four seasons, it’s time to say goodbye to our beloved Sex Education students. But what’s in store for our favourites Otis, Maeve, Eric, Adam and Aimee – plus, of course, Otis’s mum Jean, and Adam’s dad, Michael Groff?

          Netflix’s Sex Education thrust its way onto our screens in 2019 with a riot of colourful, 80s-influenced costumes and a school set up that looked like something out of a John Hughes movie (the Independent referred to it as, ‘the most American TV show ever to be set in Britain’). Audiences worldwide quickly fell in love with rebellious Maeve (Emma Mackey) and insecure Otis (Asa Butterfield) as they set up a secret sex and relationships advice clinic at Moordale Secondary, resulting in streaming figures that hit 55 million for season three.

          Since its debut, there have been all manner of ups and downs, with Otis and Maeve finally getting together at the end of the last season – before Maeve was offered the chance to study at a college in the US.

          Grab an expert recap on the get togethers, make ups, break ups and shake ups from season three with Dr Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) before you dive in:

          A Change of Scene

          So, this time around, it’s all change – not least in terms of the school itself. Moordale has been sold to developers, meaning that our besties have been somewhat scattered. Otis, Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), Aimee (BAFTA-winning Aimee Lou Wood), Ruby (Mimi Keene) and others including Viv (Chinenye Ezeudu), Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling), Isaac (George Robinson) and Cal (Dua Saleh) are now attending spectacularly hip Cavendish Sixth Form College. A riot of day-glo colours (‘It’s like Amsterdam! But in space!’), Cavendish is student-run and about as progressive as it’s possible to get (ultragreen, gender-neutral loos, lunchtime yoga sessions, silent discos, a Speaker’s Corner and more) – in other words, the polar opposite of Moordale.

          Out of school, Eric might still be struggling to consolidate his status as an out gay man with the views of his church community, but at Cavendish, he instantly finds his tribe, as he falls in with the most popular group – an LGBTQ+ clique nicknamed ‘The Coven’. Conversely, Moordale’s OG Queen Bee Ruby finds herself back at the bottom of the heap without her friends Anwar and Olivia, who’ve gone to a different school.

          As for Otis – he’s got competition. When he tries to set up a therapy clinic, he discovers Cavendish already has a counsellor, in the shape of O (Thaddea Graham). A battle ensues for clients and supremacy; Otis brings on Ruby as his campaign manager and both sides resort to some fairly dirty tricks in an attempt to come out on top. Plus, Otis is struggling with a long-distance relationship with Maeve, and the fact that his mum, Jean, who, let’s not forget, nearly died giving birth in last season’s finale, is clearly not coping as well as she thinks she is with newborn Joy. Otis puts in a call to Jean’s sister, Joanna (Lisa McGrillis), to come and help, who crash lands in their house, bringing her own type of chaos.

          Maeve is enjoying life at Wallace college in the US, and clearly feels freer, but isn’t sure that her lecturer, Mr Molloy (a fun cameo from Schitt’s Creek’s Dan Levy) rates her as a writer. Adam (Connor Swindells) has decided that college isn’t for him, and has started an apprenticeship at a farm/riding stables, and has to overcome a fear of horses (‘No, I mean, their faces are a completely normal size’); his dad, Michael (Alistair Petrie) is trying to ‘become a better man’ and forge more of a connection with him, which leads to one of the season’s most touching story arcs.

          Go behind the scenes to see how it all came together, including costumes, make up and locations:

          Rain or Shine

          Season four covers a lot of ground, with all the characters being challenged in both new, and old ways. From friendship fractures to the deepest of grief, coming to terms with identity, unresolved trauma and, of course, issues around sex, there’s something for everyone (and plenty of good advice if you’re going through anything similar yourself.)

          The main theme of season four, for all the characters, is ‘moving on.’ Carefully paced and plotted, by the series finale, you’ll feel that all the people you’ve come to know and love have some sort of resolution and have grown – even if, for one of the key relationships, things don’t end in the way many fans would have hoped for.

          Laurie Nunn, Sex Education’s creator and writer, told Elle that, ‘even though the show is called Sex Education and is so much about love and relationships, I’ve always really felt like it’s actually about friendship and community underneath that.’ The finale avoids everyone being neatly tied up two-by-two; Nunn said, ‘I wouldn’t say that I set out to intentionally do that, but I remember getting to the end of the series and going, “Oh, hardly anyone’s actually ended up together.” That wasn’t necessarily done by design, but I think it speaks to what the show is about, really, which is finding your people and figuring out how to support the people around you better, and that doesn’t necessarily always have to be in a romantic setting.’

          Proving her point, why not re-live all the best bits from Otis and Eric’s friendship, courtesy of Netflix:

          The Soundtrack

          Singer, songwriter and guitarist Ezra Furman is an instrumental component of Sex Education’s soundscape. While composer Oli Julian handles the show’s catchy score, Furman has both contributed her own songs and written many original ones specifically for all four series.

          Furman told Netflix’s Tudum that she’s enjoyed how the creative process has evolved over the course of the show. ‘For the first season, they gave me so much [info] because I didn’t know what the show even was. [In the beginning,] I had multiple episode scripts, then they started giving me fewer scripts in advance and were more like, “Here’s the whole arc of the season for Maeve. Here’s what’s going on with her, can you write something for this scene, at this point in the arc?” I love doing it that way.’

          One of season four’s biggest emotional moments comes at the end of episode three, a ballad called ‘Tether.’ ‘Because these are well-written, true-to-life characters, it was possible for me to find something I could write that was actually heartfelt,’ Furman said. Throughout the series, emotional moments like this one draw heavy feelings, and it’s often Furman’s music working in tandem to further amplify them. The three new tracks for this final series are ‘You Like Me’, ‘Tether’ and ‘Honeycomb’.

          Meanwhile, season four of course has its usual array of eclectic song choices for the soundtrack, from party tunes to tearjerkers. Music supervisor Matt Biffa, who’s worked on all four seasons, has also lent his magic to soundtracks for This is Going to Hurt, I May Destroy You (for which he won an Emmy award) and The End of the F**king World.

          Particular highlights are the touching version of U2’s ‘With or Without You’ that Mr Hendricks (Jim Howick) plays at a heartbreaking funeral; Eric getting ready to go out, accompanied by Five Star’s ‘Rain or Shine’; Adam’s dad, Michael, prepping for a big night out to ‘Are You Man Enough?’ by the Four Tops and Aimee’s impromptu photo session with a bunch of garden gnomes, soundtracked by Pink Floyd’s gloriously bonkers ‘The Gnome’.

          Here’s the full rundown of all the tracks featured in season four:

          Episode One

          • ‘Take Care Of Business’ – Nina Simone
          • ‘Close To Me’ – The Cure
          • ‘Vicious’ – Fat Girls
          • ‘Boyfriend (Repeat)’ – Confidence Man
          • ‘Lilac and Black’ – Ezra Furman
          • ‘Any Way The Wind Blows’ – The Cold Stares
          • ‘Rain Or Shine’ – Five Star
          • ‘Forever In Sunset’ – Ezra Furman

          Episode Two

          • ‘What So Never The Dance’ – Bootsy Collins
          • ‘China In Your Hand’ – T’Pau
          • ‘Work That Body’ – Diana Ross
          • ‘I’m Coming Home’ – The Staple Singers
          • ‘Do The Evolution’ – Pearl Jam
          • ‘Hold On I’m Comin’ – The Voltage
          • ‘I Believe In Miracles’ – Jackson Sisters
          • ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ – The Stooges

          Episode Three

          • ‘She Used To Wanna Be A Ballerina’ – Buffy Sainte-Marie
          • ‘Way I Walk’ – The Cramps
          • ‘Dance Across The Floor’ – Jimmy ‘Bo’ Horne
          • ‘Feels Like I’m In Love’ – Kelly Marie
          • ‘Respectable’ – Mel & Kim
          • ‘New Radio’ – Bikini Kill
          • ‘Love Vibration’ – ESSEL
          • ‘Cleo’ – Shygirl
          • ‘Strut’ – Elohim & Big Freedia
          • ‘BANG’ – COBRAH
          • ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ – The Go-Go’s
          • ‘Tether’ – Ezra Furman

          Episode Four

          • ‘Whip It’ – Devo
          • ‘Dream A Dream’ – Bic Runga
          • ‘Are You Man Enough?’ – Four Tops
          • ‘Yes I Do’ – Stefano Richter & Gabriele Mustafa
          • ‘Long Time Gone’ – Bachelorette
          • ‘Dedicated To The One I Love’ – The Mamas & The Papas

          Episode Five

          • ‘Rub It In’ – Jack Jersey
          • ‘Tell Me When’ – The Applejacks
          • ‘Don’t You Worry’ – Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford
          • ‘I Found A Reason’ – The Velvet Underground
          • ‘Sittin’ Pretty’ – The Datsuns

          Episode Six

          • ‘Chapstick’ – Todrick Hall (feat. Trixie Mattel)
          • ‘Faith’ – George Michael
          • ‘Tell You (Today)’ – Loose Joints
          • ‘With Or Without You’ – U2
          • ‘The Gnome’ – Pink Floyd
          • ‘Se Not Speaking’ – unofficial
          • ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ – Shuggie Otis

          Episode Seven

          • ‘I Got A Name’ – Jim Croce
          • ‘Push’ – Pharoahe Monch
          • ‘Youth Against Fascism’ – Sonic Youth
          • ‘Volunteers’ – Jefferson Airplane
          • ‘You Like Me’ – Ezra Furman
          • ‘Last Goodbye’ – Jeff Buckley
          • ‘This Time Tomorrow (In The Canyon Haze)’ – Brandi Carlile

          Episode Eight

          • ‘2 Become 1’ – Spice Girls
          • ‘Honeycomb’ – Ezra Furman
          • ‘Seabird’ – Alessi Brothers
          • ‘That’s A Bet’ – Arnold Albury and The Casuals
          • ‘Footloose’ – Kenny Loggins
          • ‘Colours’ – Donovan
          • ‘Let It Be’ – Aretha Franklin

          Smells Like Teen Spirit

          Can’t get enough school-set drama? Read our review Sex Education season three, Netflix’s other massive global hit, Wednesday, or if 80s-style teens are more your thing, then of course there’s Stranger Things.

          And if you need music to license for your TV show, then look no further than our hand-picked kick-ass women playlist to channel Maeve, Aimee and new Sex Ed character O, or our drama, comedy or dramedy playlists for more hand-picked tracks.

          Need Music for Your Project?

          At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

          SIGN UP

          SEX EDUCATION SEASON 4 SOUNDTRACK & REVIEW Read More »

          UPLIFTING ELECTRONICA, CAREFREE INDIE-POP & FUTURE R&B: NEW RELEASES

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          NEW MUSIC, BI-WEEKLY

          Uplifting electronica, carefree indie-pop, future R&B and nostalgic, string-driven serenades.

          Piano Gentle Worlds - Patrick Hawes

          Graceful, spacious and heartfelt, discover a soothing solo piano set from Classical BRIT nominee Patrick Hawes. Flowing arpeggios meet oscillating chords and haunting question and answer phrases. 

          LISTEN NOW

          A Little Absurd - Terry Devine-King

          Terry Devine-King explores perky, accordion-driven dramedy. As jaunty and playful as they are inquisitive and mysterious, arrangements also feature bass, vibraphone, marimba, guitar, percussion and a mix of arco and pizzicato strings. 

          LISTEN NOW

          Set In Motion - Philip Guyler

          A master of mood, composer and multi-instrumentalist Philip Guyler presents forward-moving instrumentals powered by bright piano and positive marimba. Minimalist arrangements also feature light synth arpeggios, acoustic guitar, bass and percussion. 

          LISTEN NOW

          Bass Instincts - Paul Mottram

          From the acclaimed composer and orchestrator behind Chaplin and QI themes comes a jazz-inspired collection built around upright bass. Additional instrumentation includes piano, marimba, strings, ambient pads and drums. 

          LISTEN NOW

          Still Hoping - Martin Felix Kaczmarski & Alex Arcoleo

          Electronic artist Alex Arcoleo joins forces with composer / producer Martin Felix K for a collection of uplifting electronica. From feelgood anthems to laid-back productions, songs feature atmospheric synths, manipulated melodic samples, harp textures, bass and downtempo drums. 

          LISTEN NOW

          Alternative Nostalgia - Jonathan Michael Clark

          Nashville-based writer/producer Jonathan Michael Clark shares a carefree set spanning indie-pop, disco-pop and alt-pop R&B. Brimming with singalong choruses, arrangements mix rapped and sung male vocals with catchy lead synths, electric guitar, bass and drums. 

          LISTEN NOW

          CTRL ALT R&B - Lawrence Insula

          Revered for his sonically authentic production style, south-east Londoner Lawrence Insula turns his focus to trapsoul and future R&B instrumentals. Expect vintage synths and Rhodes, reversed guitar textures, trap drums and gritty 808 grooves.

          LISTEN NOW

          Summer Ever After - Thomas Parisch

          With the heart-warming Summer Ever After, composer Thomas Parisch presents a selection of instrumentals ideal for romantic comedies. From sprightly piano pieces to nostalgic Parisian waltzes, with instrumentation including lush strings, clarinet, accordion, bells, arpeggiated synths and brushed drums. 

          LISTEN NOW

          DISCOVER MORE OF OUR NEW RELEASES

          UPLIFTING ELECTRONICA, CAREFREE INDIE-POP & FUTURE R&B: NEW RELEASES Read More »

          set d commercial releases

          NOSTALGIC POP PUNK & ATMOSPHERIC ORCHESTRAL: NOW STREAMING

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          In the same month that Usher was announced to headline the 2024 Super Bowl half-time show, Katy Perry sold her catalogue rights for a reported $225m and Taylor Swift took home nine MTV VMAs, the artists, producers and composers of Audio Network released plenty of incredible new music to all the major DSPs.

          First up, we welcomed back Scottish composer James Andrew Grant, who treated us to a feast of driving pop-rock in the form of latest LP Dog Years. For a more paired-back listening experience, check out the single ‘Letters From Beyond’ by British composers Trystan Francis and Chris Egan. Creating electronic textures from manipulated piano recordings, this atmospheric soundscape has drama content written all over it.

          Also new in September: Lypophrenia, a collection of emotive orchestral themes courtesy of LA-based composer Perrine Virgile, and Andy Cooper and Marietta Smith’s soulful collaboration I Love To Work For You. Finally, Audio Network stalwarts Jeff Meegan and David Tobin returned with a breezy album of 50s and 60s-inspired pop, entitled Lovin’ Feelings.

          You can find out more about all this Septembers commercial releases below.

          Take me to Spotify!

          James Andrew Grant – Dog Years

          Looking to add energy to your production? Look no further than Dog Days by Scottish composer James Andrew Grant. Ranging from nostalgic pop-punk to anthemic pop-rock, this uplifting collection foregrounds driving electric guitar and pounding drums.

          LISTEN NOW

          Chris Egan & Trystan Francis – Letters From Beyond

          Featuring solo piano recorded to analogue tape for a more intimate sound, discover a haunting collaboration between British composers Chris Egan and Trystan Francis. With ambient electronics conjuring imagery of frost-bitten vistas, the ominously-titled ‘Letters From Beyond’ would make an ideal soundtrack for melancholic moments, be that in film and TV drama or factual programming.

          LISTEN NOW

          Perrine Virgile – Lypophrenia

          Fittingly, the latest collection from The Umbrella Academy composer Perrine Virgile takes its name from “a vague feeling of sorrow or sadness.” By turns anxious, sombre and tender, these atmospheric orchestral themes pair intimate piano patterns with stirring strings to stunning effect, often building to an emotional climax.

          LISTEN NOW

          Andy Cooper & Marietta Smith – I Love To Work For You

          A collaboration between West Coast hip hop producer Andy Cooper and Candi Staton and Kylie-collaborator Marietta Smith, I Love To Work For You is brimming with up-tempo soul grooves and sultry slow jams. Smith’s powerhouse vocals are backed by blaring brass, groovy electric piano, funky bass and swinging percussion. Dig in and some sass to your next production.

          LISTEN NOW

          David Tobin & Jeff Meegan - Lovin' Feelings

          From big band jazz to cinematic soundtracks, David Tobin and Jeff Meegan are two of the most in-demand composers in the game. The latest album from the prolific pairing is Lovin’ Feelings, a 50s and 60s-leaning pop set, taking influence from soul, R&B, gospel and blues. Timeless melodies meet vintage flavours.

          LISTEN NOW

          NOSTALGIC POP PUNK & ATMOSPHERIC ORCHESTRAL: NOW STREAMING Read More »

          BEST CAMERAS FOR STREAMING

          THE BEST CAMERAS FOR STREAMING

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            Welcome to Audio Network’s streaming camera awards, where we will be crowning the winners of the best cameras for streaming – taking into consideration different budgets, requirements and streaming applications.

            Keep reading to find out who wins Best Camera for Streaming Under £100, Best Camera for YouTube Live Streaming, Best Web Camera for Live Streaming and more. First up: Best HD Camera for Streaming.

            Contents - The Best Cameras for Streaming:

            • Best HD Camera for Streaming
            • Best Camera for YouTube Live Streaming
            • Best Web Camera for Live Streaming
            • Best Camera for Facebook Live Streaming
            • Best Camera for Streaming Twitch
            • Best camera for streaming under £100
            • Best camera for streaming under £250
            • Best camera for streaming under £500
            • Best camera for streaming over £500

            Best HD Camera for Streaming

            Winner: Canon XF705

            Price: £4,093.00

            We’re in the 2020s, so when we talk about ‘high-definition cameras’, what we're really concerned with is 4K Ultra HD cameras. So, what is the crème de la crème of 4K streaming cameras? It’s the Canon X4705.

            Complete with an IP streaming feature, the professional-level camera may carry a hefty price tag but its unparalleled picture and impressive capabilities make it a great investment for any serious content creators.

            In the video below, Charles Zablan – Senior Trainer at Canon USA – shows viewers how to set-up the X4705 for streaming.

            Best Camera for YouTube Live Streaming

            Winner: Panasonic Lumix G7

            Price: £389.99

            YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for live streaming, and the most sought-after camera for YouTube live streaming is the Panasonic Lumix G7. By no coincidence, it’s also the best.

            The Lumix G7 is a 4K digital mirrorless camera that comes with a slew of neat features – including an OLED viewfinder, live MOS sensor and built-in image stabilisation technology. And thanks to the addition of a HDMI port, it’s ideal for YouTube live streaming.

            Best Web Camera for Live Streaming

            Winner: Logitech Brio Ultra HD

            Price: £190.54

            Although, technically speaking, all of the cameras that appear in this post are ‘web cameras’, here we’re looking at the classic kind of webcam – the portable type you can easily perch on top of your laptop.

            The small-but-mighty Logitech Brio Ultra HD webcam is our winner of Best Web Camera for Live Streaming because it's hard to fault, especially when considering its size and price point.

            The Brio has a spectacular 4K camera (fun fact: it was the world’s first traditional-style webcam to film in 4K), an infrared sensor, dual microphones and more.

            In the video below, veteran digital artist vlogger Aaron Rutten explains why the Logitech Brio is such a ‘killer camera’.

            Best Camera for Facebook Live Streaming

            Winner: Logitech StreamCam

            Price: £54.95

            Popularly used by publications, independent brands and influencers, Facebook Live Stream allows Facebookers to go live on the social media application using their phones, tablets, laptops and desktops.

            Logitech StreamCam is, as the name implies, a webcam created specifically for streaming. Complete with smart autofocus technology, the HD 60fps camera is praised by tech critics and vloggers alike, especially for its compatibility with the Logitech Capture software.

            Best Camera for Streaming Twitch

            Winner: Razer Kiyo

            Price: £63.60

            Serious gamers either watch live-streamers on Twitch or are live-streamers on Twitch. If you fall into the latter category, you’re going to want to know about Razer Kiyo.

            The affordable webcam – which wouldn’t look out of place in a Star Wars flick – is created by gaming hardware company Razer and can be easily attached to any laptop. Call us vain, but our favourite feature is the built-in ring light – it gives the streamer a healthy glow.

            Check it out in action in QGinHQ’s Razer Kiyo unboxing and review.

            Best Camera for Streaming Under £100

            Winner: Logitech Pro C920

            Price: £62.79

            The Logitech Pro C920 is what we’re calling the best camera for streaming under £100. (Yes, really; another Logitech!) What makes this budget camera better than the rest? For us, it’s the camera’s dual microphones and automatic low-light correction technology.

            Best Camera for Streaming Under £250

            Winner: Logitech C930e

            Price: £79

            Logitech are really crushing it now. And this one – the Logitech C930e – is a souped-up version of the aforementioned C920.

            So, what makes the C930e worth the extra cash? Well, there’s its Rightlight 2 technology, 4x zoom, and external privacy shutter. Oh, and its 90° field of view.

            Tirrell from YouTube channel Exuberant Gaming shows viewers how they can get the most out of their Logitech C930e for streaming in the video below.

            Best Camera for Streaming Under £500

            Winner: GoPro Hero 9

            Price: £200

            The GoPro Hero 9 takes incredible photos with its 20mp camera, can shoot stunning videos in 5K resolution and can be used as a HD camera for live streaming. In essence, it's the full package in a small package (71 x 55 x 33.6mm and 158g to be precise).

            Steaming Cameras FAQ

            Can Any Camera Be Used for Streaming?

            Sony has been making sure that their latest cameras are all fit for live streaming. But what many may not know is that most digital cameras with a USB or HDMI port can be used for live streams.

            Can I Use My DSLR for Streaming?

            Although there are rumours that streaming from a DSLR will cause it to overheat, these rumours are, for the most part, untrue.

            Therefore, the answer is, most likely, yes – your DSLR is suitable for streaming.

            What Cameras Do Streamers Use?

            As you can tell from our picks, most streamers opt for Logitech cameras as they’re portable, reliable and packed with top-rate features. Oh, and they’re usually very affordable.

            However, as streamers all have different requirements, there’s a range of different cameras that they use.

            What Is the Best Camera for Streaming?

            If you’re talking about the quality of your live stream’s picture, the best camera for streaming is the Canon XF705. But, if you’re wondering what’s the best camera for streaming when it comes to price, we’d suggest the often-overlooked GoPro Hero 9.

            Background Music for Your Live Stream

            If you’re planning on running a live stream, you may want to consider purchasing one of our many background music tracks.

            Our catalogue is jam-packed with tracks appropriate for Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and more. Discover the background music for you today by using our smart search bar or exploring our New Releases page.

            FIND THE PERFECT SOUNDTRACK

            Need Music for Your Project?

            At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

            SIGN UP

            THE BEST CAMERAS FOR STREAMING Read More »

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            EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MODERN JAPANESE MUSIC

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              Japan is the largest physical music market in the world and its music encompasses a huge range of sub-cultures, covering everything from pop through to the more underground local ska and punk scenes. Take a dive into the most popular genres from JPop and JRock to JSynth  and Anime music and find out what contemporary Japanese music everyone is listening to.

              Who Is the Biggest Star in Japan?

              Oricon provides accumulated physical sales of all entries on its singles and albums charts. According to their records, Japan’s bestselling artist are B’z, a rock duo known for hard rock tracks and pop rock ballads. They’ve released a staggering 49 consecutive No. 1 singles, 25 No. 1 albums and have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

              The bestselling artists in terms of the number of singles sold are contemporary japanese music supergroup AKB48 with 50.8 million. Whilst Ayumi Hamasaki – dubbed ‘The Empress of JPop’ - holds the record for being the biggest-selling solo artist - and for being the first female and solo artist to sell more than 80 million records.

              Where to Download Japanese Music

              Looking for Japanese music? The Sounds of Japan collection showcases high quality, authentic music from shamisen-based rock to JPop, and delicate yet powerful Japanese instrumental performances.

              JPop

              JPop refers to Western-influenced Japanese pop music, which has, over time, become highly influential in its own right. As with pop in the West, however, it’s an umbrella that covers lots of different sounds. Whilst plenty of bands have the classic cutesy, ‘bubble-gum’ sound, others are more on the edgy, dance, R&B or funk spectrum.

              In common with Western pop stars, band members and singers such as Morning Musume, Arashi, Perfume, Scandal, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (dubbed ‘Japan’s Lady Gaga’) attract legions of devoted fans and are trend setters for fashion and style.

              The Top-Selling Jpop Band

              AKB48 are literally the biggest band in the world, featuring a rotating cast of over 130 members, who have their own theatre in Akihabara, where they perform nightly. The band first formed in 2005 as a girl group – in a world where superstars seemed unattainable, music producer Yasushi Akimoto wanted to create ‘idols you can meet.’ The first 20 members, ‘Team A’, debuted in December 2005, and in early 2006, 18 new members formed ‘Team K’ – by October of that year, ‘Team B’ had joined.

              The theatre shows have expanded to an AKB48 café, ‘meet and greet’ events with the fans and special collector’s edition music – plus spinoff groups, such as BNK48 (Bangkok), MNL48 (Manila) and TPE48 based in Taipei. The original band are now a cultural phenomenon, appearing in manga, video games and on their own weekly TV shows, while their YouTube channel has 2.38 million subscribers.

              JRock

              Most JRock bands are guitar and drum-driven. One of the biggest, L’Arc-en-Ciel, have sold over 40 million records and were the first Japanese act to headline at Madison Square Garden. Sub-genre Visual Rock has a focus, as you’d expect, on how the band looks, with vibrant costumes, bright, flamboyant hair and make-up and a fair bit of drag. Visual Rock bands to check out include DIR EN GREY, the GazettE and X Japan.

              JSynth

              Japanese electronic music has flourished both in Japan and abroad in recent years. Japanese artists such as Takako Minekawa, Fantastic Plastic Machine, and Kahimi Karie are creating ground-breaking beats.

              Hatsune Miku: Japan’s Virtual Pop Star

              She started as a personification of vocal synthesizing software, but now turquoise-haired Hatsune Miku is a bona fide star in her own right. She has over 100,000 original songs under her name, over two million Facebook followers – more than any individual Japanese pop star or group - and she’s fronted campaigns for top global brands including Toyota and Google.

              Within a month of Crypton Future Media’s release of its computer software application in 2007, it became the highest-grossing software of the time and Hatsune Miku rapidly became part of ‘idol culture’. She now ‘performs’ as a hologram in concert, backed by a live band.

              If you’ve seen the Black Mirror episode Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too, where Miley Cyrus’s popstar character Ashley O is transformed into a hologram whom her handlers find easier to manage than the real thing, or read about Whitney Houston’s upcoming tour, eight years after the star’s death, then you’ve seen the ‘reality’ of holographic stars. Is it the future of music? Don’t bet against it.

              Anime Music

              In the 1960s, anime became a stand-alone music genre, and it’s now one of the most popular types of Japanese music. JPop and JRock stars often lend their talents to anime music – such as the cinematic rock ballad Red Swan, which is the opening theme of Attack on Titan season three. This was created by Yoshiki, the leader of X Japan, and Hyde, L’Arc-en-Ciel’s vocalist.

              Spotify’s Global Cultures initiative was launched in 2018 to promote culturally diverse music by surfacing hits from different countries, spotlighting popular tracks that cross cultures. This has definitely created a global audience for anime music, as Noriko Ashizawa, the Head of Content for Spotify in Japan, highlights.

              ‘The music streaming era only came over to Japan recently, mainly because physical sales are still strong here,’ she explains. ‘However, more and more Japanese artists are finding a lot of potential listeners of their music outside of the country - where physical sales aren’t as popular anymore - on Spotify. Anime is one of the most effective channels to attract global listeners to Japanese music. We’ve started creating a variety of Anime playlists dedicated to each popular series such as Attack on Titan and JOJOs Bizarre Adventure to help promote J-Tracks and spread them around the globe, similar to the recent rise of Latinx music and K-Pop.’

              Whether you’re new to anime or a die-hard fan, get a taste with the Attack on Titan soundtrack.

              Japanese Music Facts

              Did you know that:

              • It used to be illegal to dance in Japan! The ‘Fueiho Law’, also known as ‘The Flashdance Law’ was passed just after World War II, making it illegal to dance inside music venues which didn’t have a certified ‘dancing licence’. The law has been lifted in recent years, in an attempt to be a bit more tourist-friendly
              • Japan lays claim to the world’s shortest pop hit. The viral hit PPAP, aka Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen shot Japanese comedian Pikotaro into the Billboard Hot 100 – the first time in 26 years that a Japanese singer had made the US list.
              • Despite their love of tech, the Japanese still love CDs – 85% of all music sales in Japan are CDs
              • And it’s illegal to sell a CD for under $25 – leading to a huge market in CD rental services

              Wrapping Up: The Sounds of Japan

              Japan's music scene is a vibrant mix of diverse genres, from chart-topping rock acts like B'z to the phenomenon of AKB48. JPop, JRock, JSynth, and Anime music all contribute to its rich catalogue.

              In this ever-evolving landscape, Japan's music continues to captivate audiences at home and across the globe. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Japanese music, there's something exciting waiting for you to explore.

              Need Japanese Music for Your Project?

              At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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              This page was updated 23/05/2024.

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              SEX EDUCATION SOUNDTRACK AND REVIEW

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                Seeing as we’ve all got that new term feeling, it feels appropriate that Netflix’s smash hit TV series Sex Education is back on our screens. While most of us can agree that our schooldays were in no way the best years of our lives, watching Otis, Eric, Maeve and the rest of the Moordale School gang play out theirs is way more entertaining. Plus, of course, there are the myriad joys of the show’s eclectic, cinematic soundtrack.

                In common with not quite being able to place where Moordale actually is – it looks like one of those vast American high schools, and it seems to be permanently summer, in the way that the John Hughes films of the 80s did – the soundtrack follows suit. It’s a brilliantly put together mash up of 70s, 80s, 90s and more – together with original tracks by US rocker Ezra Furman.

                To celebrate the launch of season four, we thought we'd take a trip down memory lane and explore season three. There are almost 60 tracks featured in the eight-episode series, so what songs appear in the soundtrack of Sex Education season three? But before we dive in, why not catch up on what happened during season two, courtesy of besties Otis and Eric?

                The new season opens in the style we’ve come to expect from the show – with a montage of everyone having a damn good time – whether that’s with a partner, themselves, or even through a spot of cybersex, set to The Rubinoos’ ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’. There’s a strong theme of experimentation and exploration running through the series, as Otis (Asa Butterfield) tries out no-strings sex with school Queen Bee Ruby (Mimi Keene) – together with a hilarious, thankfully short-lived moustache he’s spent the whole summer growing; head student Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) becomes close to new, non-binary character Cal (Dua Saleh); Adam (Connor Swindells) and Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) negotiate the choppy waters of their relationship and Otis’s mother, Jean (Gillian Anderson) juggles publicising her new book with a pregnancy and wondering whether she and the baby’s father, Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt) can make a go of it as a family, despite their myriad differences (and the fact that she’s already broken his heart once.)

                Not to mention the small matter of whether Otis will find out that Maeve (Emma Mackey) never actually got his voicemail declaring his love for her at the end of the last season – and would it make a difference if they both find out that Isaac (George Robinson) deleted it?

                The flipside of season three’s experimentation is the regime brought in by new headmistress Hope Haddon (played by Girls’ Jemima Kirke). She’s desperately trying to rescue the reputation of the establishment that’s become known in the local press as ‘Sex School’ because of last season’s rumoured chlamydia outbreak and the racy end of term Romeo and Juliet: The Musical. Whilst the students initially think she’s cool, as she sashays onto the stage at assembly to ‘Land of 1000 Dances’ by Wilson Pickett, it’s not to last.

                Everyone must walk the corridors in single file and – horrors, there’s now a uniform? Needless to say, out goes eager teacher Colin Hendricks’ (Jim Howick) school swing band’s rendition of Canadian singer Peaches’ NSFW, and very definitely not safe for any school other than Moordale ‘F**k the Pain Away’, and in comes a school song in Latin.

                However, you can’t keep a good song (that’s also been covered by Dave Grohl and Bat for Lashes, and featured everywhere from 30 Rock to The Handmaid’s Tale, as well as in Lost in Translation and horror film My Little Eye) down, and it features again in episode seven’s orchestrated rebellion by the students.

                Sex Education’s music supervisor, Matt Biffa, told Newsweek recently that director Ben Taylor’s view was that Hendricks was letting the a cappella group make their own choice, and ‘bearing in mind that there’s the rebellion later on, it just has to be outrageously filthy and so we didn’t have to go on too much of a mental journey to come up with that one.’

                What else helps Biffa to choose the show’s tracks? He said that he and the team ‘are just trying to do right by the characters and then always at the back of our minds there is the overarching message of the show.’ He’s always aiming to ‘touch people emotionally’ with the music, so that they respond to the show’s themes.

                In season three, the themes range from identity to boundaries, being daring to feeling shame, the trauma that Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) is still feeling from her sexual assault in season two, navigating being unemployed and homeless with a pending divorce (beleaguered ex-headmaster Mr Groff, played by Alistair Petrie), and motherhood in all its forms. As well as, of course, the usual panics about the characters’ sex lives, who’s said what to whom and the importance of friendship.

                The accompanying tracks span everything from Doris Day’s ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’ (as Eric tries out make up on Adam), to 80s classic ‘Save a Prayer’ by Duran Duran and KRS One’s ‘Sound of da Police’, which plays out as Hope announces her draconian new school uniform mandate. ‘Tender’ by Blur soundtracks Ruby telling Otis she loves him, and then there’s a selection of French classics to accompany the students on a hilariously disastrous trip to France. There can’t be many TV shows that could expertly segue from Sacha Distel’s ‘Allez donc vous fair bronzer’ to Technotronic’s ‘Pump Up the Jam’, as Hendricks leads a singalong on the coach, but Sex Education nails it.

                Plus, as Eric goes on a family trip to Nigeria, there are tracks from Fela Kuti (‘Oyejo’), Prince Nico Mbarga and Orlando Julious Ekemonde to add to the mix.

                Sex Education’s balance of humour, drama and emotion, as both the adults and the teens work their way through their love lives, and life in general, make it the box-set you just have to binge.

                As for our favourite tracks across the series? We’d have to say Eric joyously lipsyncing to ‘Nails, Hair, Hips and Heels’ by Todrick Hall as he preps for a double date; Kelis’s ‘Milkshake’ accompanying Viv (Chinenye Ezedu) and her mystery (it turns out super-hot) boyfriend Eugene (Reece Richards) arriving at the Moordale gates, and the gorgeous ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’ by Chet Baker as the backdrop to a poignant break-up (no spoilers as to which pair is involved, but tears were shed.) Aimee Mann’s beautiful ‘Save Me’ – originally from the Magnolia soundtrack – is used in the final episode over a montage of another break-up, Maeve packing for a potentially life-changing trip, Rahim (Sami Outalbali) reading a touching poem written by Adam, and Adam competing with his dog, Madam, at a dog agility trial.

                It’s another triumphant season of Sex Education, so hats off to the whole team, but especially music supervisor Matt Biffa, who’s made us dance, laugh and cry throughout with his choices. Roll on season four!

                Looking for a similarly eclectic TV soundtrack? We have hundreds of expertly-chosen playlists, from romance to drama, action to suspense, in our catalogue.

                DISCOVER MUSIC FOR TV

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                film treatment

                FILM TREATMENT 101

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                  When you’re trying to create a successful film, there are many different stages you have to go through. You need to find your story, your characters, the setting and, of course, the dialogue. Struggling to begin and want a tip on how to get started? Whether your magnum opus is a drama or a romance, an action-filled superhero extravaganza or a comedy, kick off the process by writing a film treatment.

                  What Is a Film Treatment?

                  Put simply, it’s a short document that presents the story of your film, outlining the plot and giving a description of the characters.

                  It can be useful to prep a film treatment before you start writing your script, to map out what’s going to happen and break it down into manageable chunks – not to mention turbo-charging your creative process.

                  Film treatments are also used to pitch your film to producers, studio execs and potential financiers, directors or actors.

                  Why Do You Need a Film Treatment?

                  You need to know how to pitch your film effectively – not only to studio execs, but also to a potential audience. The more you can hone your film at this stage, the easier the writing – and selling – process will be. So, you need something amazing to seal that deal!

                  Once you’ve figured out how to communicate your passion and vision through the short form of the film treatment, then it’s easier to work out how to tell that story – and for a director to be inspired to turn it into a reality.

                  It’s also a great way to identify what elements your story needs to make it work. Some of the key points to bear in mind are:

                  • How to set up the world of your film
                  • Lay out your story structure
                  • Create the characters in detail

                  As you work through these points, you may also find that there are characters that are either unnecessary or, conversely, should play a bigger part in the story than you originally thought. And you can potentially identify plot holes, or story arcs that need more development.

                  Your film treatment can also be used as:

                    • A reference for a screenwriter to give a framework for the full script
                    • A detailed summary to share a plan for the script, prior to it actually being written
                    • A deconstructed summary of an already-written script, distilling it down and simplifying it
                    • A way of ‘stress-testing’ plots, characters or scenes before writing a draft

                  Writing a Film Treatment

                  When it comes to how to write a film treatment, there are some key things which you need – such as a title, a log line and a description of the action – and some which are down to you, like how long your treatment is.

                  Here are the ‘must-have’ elements:

                      • Title
                      • Logline – this is your story, summed up in one or two lines
                      • Characters – give a description of the main characters – this is your chance to make the reader fall in love with/be wowed by them…
                      • Summaries of all three acts, including plot points and characters
                      • The important scenes and sequences – capture the ‘big moments’
                      • Convey the tone of your project

                  And, of course, don’t forget to include your name and contact details!

                  How Long Is a Film Treatment?

                  Some scriptwriters will produce a single page, some will run to fifty pages or more – the short answer is, there’s no set length! However long it is, though, the treatment should be your story, broken down into an easy to follow document that grabs the reader’s attention. It needs to be long enough to cover all the relevant points and convey the story, whilst also being snappy and engaging.

                  If you’re writing for a reader at a production company or studio, then ask them what level of detail they’re looking for and a specified page length. As a rough guide, a quick read is 1-10 pages, a fairly detailed treatment is 10-20 pages, and a full, bells-and-whistles one runs to 20+ pages. James Cameron is known for writing ‘scriptments’ that are 70 pages or more. But then, Cameron’s Titanic clocked in at an epic three hours thirty minutes, and Avatar was two and three quarter hours – there’s a lot of ground to cover. But honestly? There’s only one James Cameron, and he’s already one of the world’s biggest directors. Remember, for pretty much all of us, time is money – keep it a reasonable length, and leave ’em wanting more.

                  How to Write a Treatment

                  Right, let’s get down to how to put together something that not only snags your reader, but also helps you to organize your vision.

                  The key thing is that it’s written in prose – in a style that evokes the tone of your film - and is a synopsis, with action and possibly some snippets of dialogue. It’s written in the present tense, describing events as they happen.

                  Here’s a ‘starter for 10’ way to write a film treatment:

                      • The title
                      • The logline – your one or two sentence summary which sets out the plot, the central conflict and the main characters’ goals
                      • An explanation of the first act. What’s the film about? Where’s it set? Who are the main characters and what are their motivations? Is the tone of the film funny or tragic, action-packed or romantic? What’s the ‘inciting incident’ (the thing that sets the story in motion)? What are the stakes – either physical or emotional?
                      • Act two – aka ‘the conflict’ – what brings your characters together, or breaks them apart? They start going through big changes as a result of what’s happening. How, and why are they changing?
                      • Explaining Act three – your characters confront their problems. How do they get out of a situation – or not? How does the story come together and what’s the resolution?
                      • The wrap up – what happens at the very end? Where are we leaving the characters? Could there be… a sequel?

                  What’s the best way to keep people reading? Make sure that the emotional beats are heightened. Those romantic highs? You want to feel butterflies in your stomach, or as though no-one’s ever been in love quite like this before. Crushing lows? They need to be devastating.

                  And some don’ts? Don’t be too specific – especially don’t hang your ideas on a particular actor’s looks or style – there’s no guarantee that they’d be available for the project.

                  If your movie has a twist in it, then don’t reveal it in your treatment until the point where the audience finds out. If you knew Bruce Willis’s character in The Sixth Sense was dead on page one, would you have been excited about how the story played out? Your reader needs to experience your story the same way an audience would.

                  Film Treatment Template

                  There’s a range of existing film treatments online, which are great for research. Find your favourite films and see what story beats they included or left out in their treatment – not to mention how the original treatment differs from the finished film.

                  You can divide your treatment into sections, such as Theme, Concept, Characters and Synopsis – which can be useful if your reader wants to quickly skim your treatment, or pick and choose which sections they want to read.

                  Looking for a film treatment template? Try this one from StudioBinder.

                  Here are some film treatments which demonstrate different approaches:

                  1. Aliens (Aka ‘Alien II’)

                  This treatment, by David Giles, Walter Hill and James Cameron, demonstrates the ‘scriptment’ route – albeit at a more manageable 46 pages.

                  2. Mr and Mrs Smith

                  Simon Kinberg’s treatment kicks off with a classically hooky ‘high concept’ logline:

                  Mr and Mrs Smith is a sexy, stylized action-comedy that’s a duel to the death between the world’s top two assassins… who happen to be husband and wife, hired to kill each other.

                  You definitely want to know more about that set up.

                  This treatment clearly shows how to execute a more straightforward Overview/Character/Story treatment structure.

                  3. Godzilla

                  This treatment features headings, like a novel’s chapter headings, making it super easy for an exec to skim it: you can read the whole story just by reading those. What’s happening to Godzilla? He’s ON THE MOVE and CAPTURED. It’s clear enough to get the story across, but there’s plenty of detail missing, so that you still want the full story from a finished script.

                  Need to create a short film treatment? Follow all the steps above; the principle is the same, no matter what the length of your film. Just remember to keep it super snappy!

                  Documentary Film Treatments

                  A documentary film treatment will be between one and ten pages long and should summarise your project’s essentials: the topic, the budget, where filming will take place and who’s involved. It’s your who, when, where, what, why and how.

                  It’s similar to the treatments above, in that you need a logline to introduce it and grab the reader’s attention. The proposal then details the scope of the project, the filming schedule, proposed budget and the production plan. As with a film treatment, you’ll need to include a synopsis of what the documentary is about, and who is involved – such as the film-maker and photographer. You’ll also need a list of participants, for example, who you’ll be interviewing – and where the interviews will take place, depending on the nature of your story.

                  Documentary director and producer Nina Rosenblum takes you through the three act structure of documentary-making and how to create a highly effective treatment in this video:

                  A documentary treatment is useful to map out which scenes you’ll need to shoot, and to help you to craft a compelling story, as well as identifying how it appeals to an audience (and what that audience might be.)

                  An effective documentary treatment needs to make the story come alive - describe your prospective situations, people and characters in vivid detail, with both narrative and visual descriptions. Plus, you need to capture the personal elements of the story – or where the drama will come from in, for example, a nature documentary. Is it the fight to survive in a hostile environment? The change in seasons and how that affects the wildlife you’re focusing on? Or perhaps a heartwarming tale of one particular animal group, showcasing the different generations. Keep your focus on the story – you don’t need to include shot lists at this stage.

                  Want a bit more guidance? Ira Gardner covers creating your documentary film treatment in this video (from around 2 minutes in), with examples to help you.

                  So, now you know how to nail your film treatment, what else might you need? We’ve got a whole range of expert advice, from camera shots to video editing software. And, of course, there’s all the music you could possibly want, from intro music to playlists for every style, mood or production genre. Plus, we refresh our playlists every fortnight, so you’ll never run out of options or inspiration.

                  Need Music for Your Project?

                  At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

                  SIGN UP

                  This page was updated 28/05/2024.

                  FILM TREATMENT 101 Read More »