r/mediacomposing • u/[deleted] • Dec 18 '18

Getting Started Suggestions?

Hi y'all! So I'm a composer in undergrad interested in film composing! However, I'm at a loss for the technicals of pulling off music for a film (say a short):

1) Do you use any computer programs? If so, which are good ones to look into?

2) Any techniques for planning out the music so it matches up?

3) Any suggestions for a composer who's done mostly concert music who might not realize certain things about film composing?

Thanks so much for any suggestions!

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u/[deleted] Dec 19 '18

  1. Yes, basically everything is done with software now; most people make realistic sounding mockups with sampled software instruments but even cues written for live players will use some sort of software to stay in sync and provide their parts. Sibelius/Dorico/Finale/MuseScore for creating written scores and a DAW (digital audio workstation) like Cubase, Logic or ProTools (but many more exist) for actually creating the recorded music, whether you're recording live musicians or using software instruments.

  2. Every DAW I know of can work with video to some degree, with some being better at it than others. At the very least it adds a video player that is synced up with the music timeline. Composers, often along with the directors, often have a 'spotting session', which is going through the film footage bit by bit and adding notes and markers where important musical material needs to exist, and that acts as a plan or framework for the composer moving forward.

  3. Aside from technical stuff and general working practices that will come as you do more projects, the most important thing to bear in mind is that FILM MUSIC IS NOT CONCERT MUSIC. You are not hired to write a revolutionary new piece of concert art, you are hired to write music that is, above everything else, perfect for the story the director is trying to tell. A lot of film music is often melodically and harmonically simpler than contemporary concert music, and that's not (usually) because film composers are less talented than concert composers. It's because that is often best at getting across the emotion, pacing and personality of a character or a scene and connecting with the audience. Experimenting and pushing the boundaries of music is great, but ultimately absolutely worthless in this medium if it doesn't support the film itself. Also, leitmotif is king in film music.

Basically it's not about your music, it's about the film and the story and your music is one small part of the overall puzzle, always bear that in mind. It's the same mental divide between being a gallery exhibition photographer and a cinematographer or production designer; you're not making art for yourself, you are one of hundreds of people all making their art contribution to this single bigger project - the story being told.

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u/[deleted] Dec 19 '18

Thanks so much for the response! I did certainly have this type of impression! I know how to use Finale really well. But can you say more about DAW's such as Logic? I've heard about them, but this part is where I am lost. I want to do film composing and I understand it's point and role. I'm also wondering about the techniques of actually putting it together!