The document sent by a label or commissioner to directors before they write their treatments. It outlines what the artist needs, the song’s vibe, budget, timeline, and any mandatory elements.

A good brief gives directors enough creative context to pitch intelligently. A vague brief leads to off-target treatments. The brief is the starting gun for the whole creative process.

Brief in the real world

In a Shots Magazine interview, a commissioner from a major UK label described spending significant time on every brief because: if a director is going to spend their time, for free, putting together an idea, we want them to feel that we have also put the hours in. A thorough brief reduces the volume of off-target treatments and protects directors’ unpaid labour.

Related terms

Treatment, Commissioner, Commissioning budget, Pitch process, Production schedule