15/04/2026
Sometimes the most powerful creative decisions come from changing direction.
Since National Film Score Day earlier this month, we’ve been reflecting on the role music plays in shaping a film - not just emotionally, but practically.
Back in 2016, whilst producing The Backseat, we initially had our sights set on using music from a well-known artist. Like many filmmakers, we were drawn to the familiarity and impact that established names can bring.
But as we explored the licensing, it became clear that while festival use was possible, long-term, worldwide rights were far more complex.
And that’s when the creative pivot happened.
Instead of trying to force a solution, we chose to collaborate with an independent artist - Shay Mula (formerly Shay D) - someone who could rework tracks from her own catalogue specifically for the film.
What followed wasn’t just a practical solution, it became a creative breakthrough.
With a single agreement, we secured full rights, giving the film the freedom to live beyond festivals, to be shared, distributed, and revisited years later without restriction.
But more importantly, the music became something deeper than we’d originally imagined.
It didn’t just accompany the film - it helped define its tone, its rhythm, and its emotional core.
Now, a decade later, the film still exists exactly as it was created. No compromises. No limitations.
And that’s the real takeaway.
Sometimes the right creative partner isn’t the most obvious one — it’s the one who helps your film become what it’s meant to be.
