Reverse Scriptwriting: Start With the Music

2 min | Brainstorming

I struggled to write emotional ads. So I gathered music from hundreds of commercials and films to make it (a bit) easier.

Pick a mood → Write the script → Add music

That’s how scriptwriting for ads usually goes.

My friend, Sebash, found a different method:

First, he picks a song. And then, inspired by it, he writes the script.

Here’s the framework that saves me every time I’m stuck 👇

1. Pick a Mood

Ask: How do you want the audience to feel?
I choose one primary emotion, usually from the inner circle of the wheel:

I’ve created five playlists, gathering music from
hundreds of ads and films for each emotional category:

I listen to the whole playlist or pick one song and play it on repeat until scenes start appearing in my head.

This method helps me get in the right mood while writing.
After all, how can I convey a feeling without experiencing it myself?

• • •
Thanks for reading <3

No heading found

Vikki Ross’s technique for developing an engaging brand tone of voice, with and without AI.

Working for the same client for too long makes me take their product for granted. These perspective-changing questions spark my creativity again.

Creating speculative ads was a game-changer for my career. Inside, I explain why and how I make them.