The spotting session is a crucial step in the filmmusic creation process: This is where the director, possibly the editor and music editor (if there is one) and the composer develop the broad concept for the filmmusic as well as discuss the fine details.
This is the time of experimentation. It’s very exciting and there are no limits in this meeting. If everyone keeps an open mind it can be a fun process of trial and error to see what effect a certain type of music will have on a scene. I’m often surprised myself that something that I imagined would never work for a particular scene can turn out to be very complementary to the picture and add great depth.
Deciding on music and where it comes in and goes out is really something that can not be talked about but that has to happen on a personal level. It’s important to get a direct feel for a reaction to be able to refine the communication between all parties involved.