How to Score Emotions: STOP Writing for the Character!

One of the most common mistakes I see newer film composers make is this:

They write music that perfectly matches how the character feels... but forget to ask how the audience is supposed to feel.

Sure, your protagonist might be devastated, terrified, or even about to die...but if the audience is supposed to feel hopeful? Or feel inspired? Then writing "sad" or "scary" music is going to kill the moment!

Just imagine if the scene in Avengers: End Game where Captain America straps his broken shield to his arm — beaten, along, and facing down Thanos' Army — had been scored with a funeral march.

Yes, he's exhausted. Yes the odds are terrible.

And sure — sad, somber music could have worked.

BUT instead...

We get soaring brass and strong, noble strings.

Music taht lets the audience hold onto hope — just long enough for the famous portal scene to begin.

THAT'S the power of scoring for the audience, not the character.

Great film music doesn't just reflect what's happening on screen.

It shapes the way we, the audience, interpret what's happening.

Let's break down why this mistake is so easy to make, and how you can start writing music that actually tells the story.

Why You Should Score for the Audience, Not the Character

Think about it: your characters can't hear the music.

Only your audience can.

That means film music isn't there to help characters process their emotions — it's there to help the audience understand, connect, and respond to the story!

A scared character doesn't need a jump scare cue.

A grieving character doesn't need a funeral dirge.

They already feel those emotions!

But the audience? They're still catching up.

The score exists to guide the audience through the emotional beats of a story — to shape their perspective, not the character's

So if your music simply mirrors what the character is feeling, it might sound "correct"...but it won't hit nearly as much as it could!

The Problem with Writing Music That Only Matches the Character's Emotions

Let's say your character is terrified, so you write scary music.

Seems logical, right?

But the audience already knows they're scared!

The actor's performance shows it. The lighting shows it. The camera angle shows it.

So now your music just...repeats that information?

Boooooo!!! That stinks!!!

Too much repetition is boring, and even worse it misses an opportunity!!!

Music has the power to add an emotional layer to that the scene doesn't already have!

Sometimes that means offering contrast. Sometimes it means irony.

And sometimes it means giving the audience a new lens through which to experience the moment.

What Film Scores Are Really Meant to Do

The Audience.

But not just the "audience" as a vague, abstract entity.

You're writing for a very specific emotional response.

The key is knowing what your audience should feel at each moment of the story.

Should they feel relief — or a twist of dread that the character doesn't see coming?

Instead of asking:

| "How does the character feel?"

Try Asking:

| "What do I want the audience to feel about this moment — and this character?"

That shift in perspective can completely transform your score.

A Step-by-Step Framework for Scoring the Audience's Emotional Journey

When in doubt, use this 3-step process:

Step 1: Understand the Scene's Function

What is the purpose of this scene within the story?

Is it a turning point? A comedic break? A gut-punch? What does it contribute?

What is the audience supposed to take away from it?

Step 2: Choose the Emotion(s) You Want the Audience to Feel

Identify the emotional angle. Do you want to highlight tragedy, build suspense, add levity, or hit at irony?

Sometimes it can be helpful to ask questions like "What does my audience know that the characters don't?" to get a fresh perspective.

Step 3: Use Music to Reinforce That Perspective

Now — and only now — pick your musical tools:

Use harmony, instrumentation, tempo, dynamics, etc. to shape the audience's emotional experience.

Consider what's already being shown, and ask "What emotional color can I add that's missing from the scene?" If you'd like to learn more about portraying specific emotions with music, check out my blog post "How to Portray Emotions with Music"

Case Study: Using Music to Add Emotional Irony (Harry Potter Example)

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, there's a scene where Harry inflates Aunt Marge like a balloon.

From the characters' perspective, this is a horror moment.

Marge is screaming. The Dursleys are panicking. And Harry is absolutely livid!

But what does the audience feel?

Delight!

Because we've seen Aunt Marge be an abusive, unlikable git, and she's finally getting a little comeuppance.

So the music plays it like a comedic scene.

The cue uses light textures and whimsical instrumentation to write a fun little waltz as we watch the character bounce around the house, and out the back door.

It's not how the characters feel. It's about how we feel watching them.

Takeaways:

If you want your film scores to hit harder, stop writing to mirror the character.

Start writing to guide the audience.

When you do, you unlock the true emotional power of music, and your scores will stop being background. They'll start becoming unforgettable.

Want more tips like this? Check out my eBook The Musical Storyteller — where I break down techniques like this in detail.