Composing Emotions

November 11, 2012 at 7:43 PM

As you may or may not know, my dream career is to be a movie composer. So this morning while out on a walk, I thought of an idea that may help me score films. At first I thought I'd just write music for an "invisible" film, but then I realized I could just try writing many different themes. A lot of films have love themes or action themes or death themes. A lot of emotional themes have different instruments that project this, like love themes or emotional themes have violins and strings; other action themes showcase the brass. I took an emotion and began a tune, first on the piano, and then orchestrated on Finale. So far, it has been going pretty well. I don't plan on using any of these themes in a movie; it's just practice. And then in the summer, if me and my sister make a film, I will really be able to practice scoring a film, finding moments to bring the music out and moments to back off.

If any of you have any ideas for me, any ideas will be appreciated! I realize how difficult it will probably be for me to get a job as a composer, but with lots of practice now I may be really good in the future so that I can land a job as film composer. Thanks!

From Rachel Neville
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:38 AM

Some of my favorite music has been to nature films and to other documentaries. You could try watching some wildlife where you live and compose for their movements. I'd recommend also watching the movie "Microcosmos" it is a film with no dialogue that shows invertebrates going about their daily lives. The music creates the narrative and creates characters out of dung beetles and romance with slugs. That might give you some ideas of how to score action sequences. There is of course also the movie "The Artist" which although it has dialogue, relies on music to fill out the story. I think it won an Oscar for best score. And, if you haven't heard it, here is a link to an interview with Hans Zimmer. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128696658. Music is so important to films! Good luck with your composing.

From Joshua Iyer
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Those are some great ideas! I had been thinking of composing for various settings, like desert and ice and stuff, but composing for nature is probably a better idea. That first week of spring will be a lot of fun; but I'm sure once the snow begins to come, and throughout winter break, I can find some events to occur that I can write for.

Thanks again!

From Corwin Slack
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:41 PM

This is quite apocryphal but someone once told me that John Williams sketched many of his big themes long before he had occasion to use them.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 8:01 PM

Yes, practicing now is the way to go! Very cool, what you're doing/thinking. I just love film compositions. Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, not to mentioned the old timers like John Williams and John Barry.

Keep it all up!

From Joshua Iyer
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 12:08 PM

I've actually begun a 'possible movie theme' that may or may not work, I'm not sure. I may try writing other various motifs perhaps to see what fits and what doesn't fit.

Thanks for all the advice! :)

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Composing Emotions

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