How to Make a Cinema-Worthy Playlist

Lights, camera, action! It's your shot to make a playlist fit for the big screen. Let's talk ideation, action, execution and fun.

Making a playlist is something you can do anytime, anywhere. If Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube can do it, then so can you! Below are my four steps to crafting a cinema-worthy playlist that you will want to come back to. Let's get started:

1) Choose a Theme 🏰

“Do you have a creative vision for your playlist? Think of a movie genre you're into right now and start there. What colors, sounds and art pieces speak to you? Keep this in mind."

The Wizarding World of "Harry Potter." Photo by Rithika Gopalakrishnan on Unsplash.

Using a movie genre for your theme is a great reference point! Chances are you know the specific sound that fits into that fictional world. Consider the aesthetic that surrounds the movie plot. Some examples include dark academia for the "Harry Potter" series, fantasy for "Guardians of the Galaxy" and the year 2000 for "Clueless." To identify an aesthetic within a film, pay attention to what the characters are wearing, listening to, watching and enjoying. This will help you land on a solid theme and better connect with its elements (plus, you get to watch, or re-watch a movie, which is something fun you can look forward to in your day).

2) Give It a Title ✍🏽

“Introduce your theme to listeners with a title that draws them in and makes them excited to tune in again and again. A title that's effective is engaging, catchy and fun!”

Writing ideas down on paper. Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash.

A memorable title draws your mind back to your theme and makes choosing songs easier. Have a pen and paper, or your Notes app ready and start a Google Search. Try out playlist name generators like chosic, "punny" sites like punpedia, or tongue-twisting webpages like rhyme zone. Think about using song titles, movie references, and even internet slang! If you need some more ideas, look through Pinterest for playlist name lists. And while you're at it, drop by my Pinterest page @soundtrackmindd and browse my playlist inspiration boards.

3) Add Some Songs 🎶

“The distinction between a great playlist and a good playlist are the songs that fill them. Song choice is where you get to experiment with your theme and let yourself be creative without limitations.”

Concertgoers cheering on their favorite artist. Photo by Vishnu R Nair on Unsplash.

When making a cinema-worthy playlist, careful song choice is essential. The goal is to curate a song list that comes off like a soundtrack in a movie. It's meant to flow in a chronological order and make listeners feel lost in an aesthetic while playing it. Think about song titles like movie scenes and put them in an order that tells a story. For instance, on my "coming of age soundtrack" playlist, "Hello?" by Clairo and Rejjie Snow is at the beginning, "Supercut" by Lorde is in the middle, and "Where'd All the Time Go?" by Dr. Dog is at the end.

4) Add Cover Art 🎨

“A pop of color and some thematic visuals are a great way to introduce your playlist to incoming listeners and help you standout from others on a music platform."

An album wall at a vintage record store. Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash.

Congratulations on identifying an aesthetic, choosing a playlist theme and adding songs! Now it's time for the final touch––adding your playlist cover art. It's the first thing listeners will see and it determines whether they stay on your profile, so make it count. The art should complement your playlist theme and invite listeners in. Choose from a selection of photos from your personal library, free photography websites like Unsplash, or create your own art on Canva. After you've selected your cover art, your cinema-worthy playlist is complete.

Happy playlisting!