Composing

Thank you K.. Yeshwanth :D

This is such a fascinating topic, K.. Yeshwanth! Music is such a powerful storytelling tool, especially when it bridges the gap between what is said and what is felt.

One of my favorite examples is in A Quiet Place. The absence of spoken dialogue throughout much of the film makes the score even more impactful, heightening tension and emotion in ways that wouldn’t be as effective with words. Another is Interstellar; the organ-heavy score by Hans Zimmer is practically a language on its own, carrying so much weight in scenes where the dialogue is minimal.

Sometimes I like silence, though let the instruments ring out a few seconds - connecting the two scenes.

Kind of like the below example- at :50 - 1:00

I tried to have a short silence so the guys voice would share the emotion, and even had a local film

Producer watch what I had done, more music in between, … it turned out well for my writing, but think (feel) the judge wanted more emotion brought out by the music.

The Spitfire sounds rang out a lot, hence what I was talking about above … there’s not too many seconds in this part of the scene. I did best using a plugin to stop some of the long ringing the instruments have.

I live the 3/4 change into the next scene as they “ attempt to dance”, which is why I wrote it in 3/4 to interact with the scene.

https://youtu.be/JnTUtLeL_YE?feature=shared

Ashley Renee Smith Exactly Ashley!! A Quite Place is an epic example of creation and blending both "the dialogues and music". Both of them played a major role in the movie by creating a silence intense and horrific scene into a Epic one.

And Of course, I again agree with you about the interstellar score, from a Organ creation to the final complete movie.

Both the scores deserves a hats off.

Kerry Kennard First of all, the composition is very nice, but you need to add more backend elements. Try to focus creating backend with Low and Mid-Low octaves, so that it gives a huge strength to main Melody and Counter Melody.

This score could've also worked with 5/8 and 6/8. The 3/4 you had taken is a good thinking, it works in all of them.

Also when it comes to compositions, try to create the more textural elements, first, and then move on with your Melodies, Ostinatos, Runs, Harmonies, Backends & Rhythms.

Rest everything is good, you have done great job!!

That's great, Geoff Hall. I'm way behind on David Lynch films. I'll keep an ear out for the music when I watch his movies.

Geoff Hall Thank you for sharing that! I will never forget Twin Peaks.

Kat Spencer thanks, Kat.

Maurice Vaughan yeah, I’m just wondering what to watch next!

Linwood Bell Love that! I can say the same. Definitely a rollercoaster, but any "job" I've ever had, or doing my own creative thing, has been something I enjoy, so it's never felt like work. I truly believe that is the key. I run across people all of the time who are simply unhappy where they are, and that is my first advice, find something you love to do, and do that. The money has a way of figuring itself out.

I've always, unfortunately had a day job, or maybe not unfortunately. I've heard a few different composers talk about full time composing and part time composing along side a day job. Having a day job allows you to make the money that you need to support the kids and the family (If you have a family younger in life like me), build the studio etc. and do the projects that truly inspire you, where when composing is your only income stream you may not have the option to pass on things that don't necessarily inspire you musically because you need the money. I will say, if I had been in the position when I was younger to compose for a living from the start of my working life, I can't imagine that I would have passed that up. But now that I'm older I'm thinking this path hasn't been so bad, and working as an IT professional and having all the knowledge it teaches you about complex computing environments is a huge plus in today's highly computerized studios.

This has been my journey thus far, someday I do plan on going full time and hopefully will have the client list that is producing the things that I find inspiring, we'll see!!

Great question and discussion Kat Spencer!!

The issue for me is the same as sort of when someone uses the word 'aspiring' - either you are or your not? I posted on this topic here a few months back and tried to differentiate the two by whether you get paid or not. But I'm not even sure of that anymore. Perhaps pay is associated with the word 'job'. And perhaps 'career' is associated with 'passion'. Be that it may, I am not sure whether my pursuit is rightly called a hobby or career. As I have scored 35 films the last 12 years and have been paid for for one - you tell me. And it took 25 years for my ASCAP royalties to make it to $14.55 - so what is my songwriting - career or hobby? I guess for me the bottom line is that the decision is sort of 'mute' - sort of whether I am or have been 'aspiring' or not.

That's awesome, Mark Gosney! I think that path is a great one, because I, like you, don't ever want the pressure to HAVE to create something. I'm a rebel, so you can imagine what happens when you tell me to do something. I think it's wonderful to have a part-time or full-time job (that you enjoy) that still allows time for creation. Best balance in my opinion.

That is a very good point Joel Irwin. It all depends on your mindset, perspective, and priorities. I do think for the purpose of my question, the difference between hobby and career had more to do with whether it paid your way, or if it (on taxes) was still considered a hobby. In our hearts, I think no matter what the monetary compensation is, our creations are our passions. And hobbies are often thought of as our passions. It's nice when we can make ends meet with our passions, but then there is the slippery slope of the pressure to do so. It's the biggest reason I didn't pursue a music career when I was thinking about jobs. I never wanted to lose my joy for it. And scoring 35 films?! That's pretty cool :)

I'm excited for this AMA, Kat Spencer!

Maurice Vaughan Me too! I'm very interested to see her suggestions and experience in this market. I guarantee it is different from what I've experienced hahaha.

Same for me, Kat Spencer. I mainly write scripts, but I'm interested in hearing about writing and publishing short stories and novellas.

yeah, trust is important if director is far away from music, because the only way director can insist for some changes in composition is only with strong background of understanding of music, its structure and dramaturgy

Hi, Aiden. As a composer with over 24 years in the film industry, the most common mistake from starting filmmakers is to believe they know more than the experienced composer they hired! :)

Thank you so much Kerry Kennard Kat Spencer Henry Mashtots for sharing. I will check out the On the Track book as I improve my understanding of your world, and how you elevate the experience to a level that I don't have a vocabulary for.

You’re welcome, Kat Spencer !

There’s a few other books - the

Berklee Film music boon is good and has nice stories from composers as well as good primer on this field.

Remember Yoda’s famous words - which I need to heed at Times -

No try, only do - hmm ;-)

KK

Kerry Kennard Those are the words I live by! And my go-to for anyone who says the word. :)

I don't have anything currently but pretty soon I will have a sample of something I am working on with a vocalist and guitar, where she will be using her voice as an instrument without words!

Hello ! i have no project a this moment !

I'm in the beginning stages of working on my first short film. I'm nervous, but excited :)

I'm releasing my first english lyrics vocal composition

Hi all, I released a track recently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXA4USbKzk4 It is intended to be the backing track of a bullet fight!

Hi Kerry, I'm not sure I understand exactly your post, but usually, you don't need video editing software unless you work on video editing.

I'm a composer too and I always work on the picture-lock footage imported into Pro Tools.

Anyway, for video editing I work with Adobe Premiere and Davinci Resolve (it has a free version).

Happy to help you with anything else if I can.

Best,

Walder

Good answer, Walder Martinez .

So, Resolve has a free version ?

Yes, Kerry. With fewer functions than the paid one, but it's a fully functional version. You can check it out here:

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/es/products/davinciresolve

Kerry Kennard I also recommend Adobe Premiere. My son also likes Filmora and finds it a little easier to learn/use than Premier.

Thanks Kat Spencer !

I had a little experience at EKU during this Masters degree with Premier- nice integration.

(Where I made my first 4 ‘reels’)

You have a link to Filmora ?

Thanks Kat !

Appreciate your input ?

KK

First attempts at 7, like hobby and shortly at 19, super seriously and pro from 41

At 7, "just" 43 years ago...

I started composing progressive rock on my late 30’s, and started composing orchestral film music in my early 50’s.

Henry Mashtots Walder Martinez Mark Gosney Wow! 7?! That's petty cool. I started taking piano lessons at age 6 but didn't know I could compose until I stopped taking lessons at 18. Turns out the "structure" and forced thing doesn't work for me. Shuts down my creative brain. I've been composing ever since but jumped from piano instrumentals to lyric songs when I turned 30. It's cool and interesting to see most of us taking off with this later in life. What are your biggest accomplishments so far? And your biggest roadblocks?

In my teens when I was a young hippie playing in a rock 'n roll blues band. It wasn't until the mid 90's that I was only writing and able to support my family, but there was a catch...it was writing jingles. It was a serious writing gig though. I did a few thousand of them. I don't do it that much anymore...although I've got one to do on Monday. Gotta eat. Uggg...

My favorite Bond songs are the James Bond Theme and Diamonds Are Forever, Sam Sokolow.

Sam Sokolow, this is such a cool tribute! I’ve always had a soft spot for Skyfall—Adele’s vocals just capture that perfect blend of grandeur and melancholy. My husband and I were jokingly singing it the other night actually. Live and Let Die is another one that always pumps me up.

That's great news, Mark Gosney! The more protection and guardrails in place, the better. And I hope this gets people to create music themselves/hire human artists to create it.

Maurice Vaughan agreed completely, music isn’t music without human involvement!!

Beethoven Opus 135 and his late C major Piano Sonata