October 6, 2008
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SHAMELESS PROMOTION
Yes. I am shamelessly promoting myself.
But also…I think I’m asking for feedback. I mean, I’m no genius…and I work hard at this stuff…but I also want to know how it all sounds to the average (or above average) ear.
I think you might hear some familiar stuff in there…so don’t be surprised when it comes up.
I wrote this as an assignment for my Advanced Film Scoring class. Check it out. It’s only two minutes…and then leave me a comment with some feedback.
Thanks, peeps!
Comments (25)
Just curious…are you an aspiring film composer? Because you should be one.
@MelodicPuppy - oh yes ma’am, I certainly am! Do you happen to be a film director in need of a composer? Haha…
no seriously. I am an orchestrator and I live in Burbank…but at this point, the word aspiring is still pretty true. My credits are lacking at the moment…
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
ooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo
There’s some feedback for you.
Hang on, let me actually listen…
I don’t know anything about film scoring, but I think it was good . . .
I like it. It’s cool.
In the opening, what’s that supposed to be on the tonic pedal- doing a bass drum beat…? Is that tuba? Kind of a funky patch.
THE FOLLOWING IS JUST ME BEING PICKY and UNSCHOOLED- IGNORE AS NECESSARY.
At 1:47 I think you should make it a little less functional than just a ii 4/2. Throw in some note that makes Scott grin and Teletubbies explode.
Just curious, what’s happening at the end of the scene (flute/pic solo)? If it’s a transition into something else, the flute/pic might call a little too much attention to itself. Maybe do something a little slower with a bass clarinet but end on the tonic- again, this is assuming that you’re transitioning into a new scene.
BRILLIANT. JUST BRILLIANT.
Oooo – it really makes me want to know what’s happening in the movie right now…very intriguing!
Thanks for coming over, it was so great to see you guys! We found Batman in the grass today – he’s unharmed…let’s make a plan of action to return him so we get to hang out again…
^ Not that she’s prejudiced or anything. Heeheehee.
@dsemsen - haha no I’m not a director; I just know good film music when I hear it. My high school orchestra director was BIG on movie music; we would have annual film music concerts where he would rent original scores for us to play. We also had Elmer Bernstein conduct us 3 times and Bruce Broughton (I think that’s his name… he did the Looney Tunes soundtrack among other things). Some of my fav memories of playing!
@sc0tlas - there was supposed to be a nice big note at the end of that in the low basses…I don’t know where it went, but then again, at this moment I’m only listening on my wife’s tiny laptop speakers…thanks for the feedback though!
I’ll keep posting…and I’m going to buy a slew of new samples to make my stuff sound even cooooooler.
@klappyanne - it was an imaginary movie…not a real one.
However, this week we have a real one to do a cue from…whopee!
@MelodicPuppy - I got to meet Bruce Broughton last year and interview him for a grad class. A nice guy…
AWESOME!! My heart was pounding… just wondering what scaring thing might be around the corner ready to jump out at me… and then Awwww I’m safe….BUT NOOOOOO.. BAM!!! more scary stuff.
Your brillient I tell you , just brillient!!!!
*laughing at scott’s first comment*
great job. i don’t know anything about scoring, but i think it’s AWESOME! it paints a great picture, if that means anything. you rock.
I dig it. Makes me think of the beginning of an action sequence in an epic-style historic film.
Soooo, what was the made up movie. Here are some of my thoughts as I listen.
The first part we have the “thought” and we ready ourselves. Sounds like we have to get some where, or to someone…maybe by horse. We gather our things, ready our horse and start on our journey. Riding with a purpose, on a mission to get there; we must warn them, save them or protect them. We ride into a clearing, a break in the trees. Wait, something is not right. We circle around, looking, listening. What was that? Is someone following us? Must loose them, must get to my destination and warn them. Nothing can get in the way, when all of a sudden…..ohhhhhh NOOOoooo, what happens next?! You have got to tell us the made up movie dude…I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!! lol I love when music can let your imagination run wild…well done, good job!
I agree with it being brilliant! I like the build that it has. It makes me feel like I need to be watching the movie on the big screen. I think some people to need to wake up and hire you already for a huge movie contract. Great job! Oh and I don’t think expoding Teletubbies would get you very many jobs.
Hahahaha!!!
@ducky2day - well…there was no film. I had to make it ALL up myself, which ironically, proved quite a bit more difficult than if there actually HAD been film. But I had to write it AS IF it were film, so just imagine different cuts and stuff happening…you’re definitely on the right track!!!
@APUsinger - that’s very sweet of you to say!
If only someone WOULD hire me…hm…you know anyone? HAHAHA….
and…teletubbies…well…what if there was a teletubbie-exploding movie?
I think there should be…
RYC: Daniel, I realize it was “AS IF” you were writing for a movie…I just want to know WHAT was going through your head as you were making this…what you were imagining! LOL Or just make it longer so I can finish my scene. LOL You know the one I was imagining as I was listening to your stuff!! heeheehee I was enjoying myself as I listened! Good Stuff!
Ok, here’s my take on it. Sounds very spy-movie-ish. The piccolo bits at the beginning and end give it a very nice Bond feel, but do you think the 5 or 6 bars right in the middle feel kinda Robin Hood-y? Like in the middle of the motorcycle chase down the mountain, he takes a second to ponder his wallet-size Maid Marian photo he has tacked on the instrument panel?
I’m a musician, and I approve.
Hi Daniel – I’ll have to disagree with April this time: I liked the idyllic interlude at the center of the piece; in fact, it was my favorite passage, and it seemed to belong there. And I wouldn’t have noticed the lack of the closing bass beat at the end if you hadn’t mentioned it; the fading piccolo notes seem perfect for an overture or opening-credits sequence, which is how it sounds to me (and how I assume you meant it to sound). Anyway, very nice. Do you plan to add it to your portfolio and shop it around? – Uncle Lee
@UncleLeeA - Hey Uncle Lee! Always glad to see you comment on my blog!
Since the movie was imaginary…I really felt like that middle section NEEDED to be there, and that a movie scene could have some sort of break in the action for a slower section…
and YES–I’ll be posting more clips here AND have already shipped out a link to my site via email to many of my contacts!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!