Composing

Thanks Geoff - I liked Ludwig's score for Black Panther. Haven't watched Sinners yet, but I'm looking forward to hearing his collaboration with Buddy Guy. Had to compose an orchestral piece featuring Native American flute honoring early Japanese culture for TV.

Allen Lynch that’s great, Allen. That’s a great fusion of styles. I hope it goes well.

It would be great to hear what you think of Göransson’s work on Sinners.

Thanks Geoff Hall, I will let you know after I see Sinners.

My favorite Ludwig Göransson work is in Sinners, Geoff Hall. My favorite song from the movie is I Lied to You. The music and sound really enhance the story!

Maurice Vaughan gotcha, Maurice. I Lied To You was fantastic. And yes, me too. I loved the way the music enhanced the storytelling.

As far as writing concepts, prob. John Williams. I've liked some of Hans Zimmer movies (sound scapes). For the drumming world, it's still Dave Weckyl and Alex Acuna ! Alex is amazing - great player and coordination is awesome. I remember seeing a video how he does Clave with left foot, while all the diff. hand patterns on congas, etc. He's like Dave W. - Dave has some cool Coord. also, while awesome grooves and those ... not on 2 & 4 hits / syncopation. :~).

Hey Kerry, thanks for sharing those Spielberg nuggets of wisdom. Hope everything is going well.

John Williams and Hans Zimmer are my favorite composers, Kerry Kennard. I talked with Hans way back about doing music for a feature film I was producing. He was busy with another project though. He's a nice guy.

Wait, you were asking him to compose ? (as you're producing ? Many hats for sure, ... lol.

I've heard his voice / videos from the Masterclass series (Masterclass.com). Glad you met him..

From my drumming world, I met Alex Acuna at PASiC in passing (hallway) - seems like a great guy also. Haven't met any famous composers in this phase of my life yet.

I started a class with Michael Whittaker last month. It's quite intensive. I need to get back to the 2 min. H. Potter project we're suppose to write to. Michael has good ways to write I haven't learned yet. Mr. Whittaker is very smart in his writing.

( it's the www.ScoreCraftAcademy.com website - for more of his business and what SCA encompasses in his class and other online program).

I was a producer way back, Kerry Kennard. I mainly focus on writing now. Thanks for the link. I'm looking forward to hearing the project you're working on for Michael's class if you're able to share it!

I think we all enjoy feedback and ideas among peers but we should be careful not take too much of it to heart. If we create how and what others feel we should be creating then soon our art is no longer our own. Each artist's path is different. Take the bits and pieces of feedback that resonates and inspires and then ditch the rest that does not. So YES, Absolutely.....Go with your gut!

Art is by nature subjective. I try to separate criticism from critique and advice from opinion. I have to respect the person and know that the spirit in which their opinion was given was meant to benefit my project or me as an artist. Like Mike Hall said, go with your gut!

I’m with Mike Hall - take bits and pieces which resonate and inspires your creativity within the music process.

On a recent post on Facebook, one guy is sharing his new song outside on the porch, which is a great song! Comment saying, it “sounds like the guitar could be done an octave, to not clash with his voice” was more a suggestion.

After thinking my background (studio) and him being outside, it’s totally subjective for the small suggestion I mentioned.

It’s not really bad advice, though subjective to many other narratives going on with guitar and voice.

I definitely am the sensitive type when speaking and sharing my opinions / advice.

Some readers LOVE my stuff. Many on here HATE it. "Too many words", 'missing a slug line" "needed the reader to emotionally identify with the characters' 'need only ONE villain' 'too much detail' and on and on.And yet...how about this?

Hi Jon,

I must say the book is an amazing read, and I can barely put it down.

Sent by Sylvia Jacobs.

And this on ONE IN 7 BILLION, from Mark Glent:

Hi Jon, This is a very considerable amount of work........and an excellent job....so well done.

It's all opinion. I've read so-called award winning scripts. How are they the winners? Technically perfect? Sometimes boring? Who knows? I read an award winner's script for whom I suggested some basic English corrections. Story was good. HUGE number of long parentheticals. Why?

Presentation trumps content?

Many want to 'fix' my stuff for money. Usually they want about 3000$. Rent must be due!

Kat Spencer Feedback can be an incredible tool for growth, but as you pointed out, not all advice is created equal. I love your approach of using a gut check to filter what resonates. That instinct is part of the artist’s compass, especially when the work is personal or emotionally driven.

For me, I try to step back and ask, “Is this feedback challenging me to grow, or is it steering me away from my voice?” If I hear the same feedback from multiple sources, that’s usually when I know it’s time to take it seriously and really examine what might be getting lost in translation.

It’s a fine line between staying open and staying true, and honestly, it’s a skill we all keep honing.

"Other times, it is hearing sounds around me whether nature or others tones of voice." That reminds me of how I get script ideas sometimes, Sherri ZImmerman. Sorry to hear you were in the hospital. I hope you're doing well now.

Maurice No longer here.

Very interesting about you receiving scripts that way... very interesting. Miss you alot!

You're welcome, Sherri ZImmerman. It's great to see you again.

DITTO. If I could put a HEART symbol here I would... LOL

https://collider.com/ryan-coogler-sinners-deal-warner-bros-studio-system/

Ashley Renee Smith Thank you for your reply ! The candles seem to be an effective help. For me, it's more about emotional instinct. I close my eyes, take slow and deep breaths, block out every other aspect of life except music, and convince my brain that I'll come up with something great after the composing session. From now on, I'll combine that with some of the tips in these responses !

I try to make sure that my workspace is free from clutter and remove any potential distractions (mute phone). These simple steps help prepare/remind me to relax and focus on the project at hand.

Thank you Allen Lynch for your reply !

Last night I did a Trailer for an associate / producer.

I dove right in, Granted, I set up some sounds the night before. One small Framework.

Then, from the Producer’s example, / YouTube video, I went from there. From the different loops - for this one, I added the melody from the keyboard from the Logic Pro Film template.

I didn’t use all tracks - of course, since it didn’t line up with the sample video sounds.

Real world all the way! (Smiles ).

Hope some of these frameworks / examples help.

I did look into Dorico, though the process for this short Trailer seemed like more set up than

Laying down the sounds in Logic Pro.

"Real world" pretty well still works, it seems.

That is for sure Kat Spencer

Classical radio station KUSC.org often features music from the movies, and now even games as well. All still in the vein of classical.

Yes, music has such an impact on the final effect of a film! I also understand budget often plays a role in song selection, since well known tracks have significantly higher licensing costs than others.

Ayanna Anene very true! which means, it should be easier for us little guys to get placed. hahahaha

Probably way too many, Kat.

Those Temp tracks are really stuck in ‘some’

Producer’s head. (Some).

The other part is waiting for Post Production/

Lock … or unlock - lol (smiles).