Composing

Discuss, share content, offer tips and advice on hardware, software, style, strategies, process, work-flow and the business of scoring a film, video or theater production

Geoff Hall
On Creative Resilience and Persistence

Here’s an essay from our friend, Maria Popova, aka The Marginalian about that creative maestro, Ludwig van Beethoven and his “Ode to Joy” from his Ninth Symphony.

Popova tells us a tale of Beethoven’s resilience and persistence:

“Day by day I am approaching the goal which I apprehend but cannot descri...

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Maurice Vaughan

Definitely, Geoff Hall. Especially when I work on the logline, which I do right after coming up with an idea.

Kerry Kennard

I studied a lot of Classical composers, esp. Beethoven. His form was clear - like others within the Classical period. Yes, a lot of Chaos to beauty, esp. in recapitulation section. In my Webinar with...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan ah, I can’t do that at the idea stage, Maurice. I have to work on the story and characters a little more and then I’ll get a feel for the possibilities. Forever tweaking it though, as...

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Geoff Hall

Kerry Kennard that’s an intriguing take on the process when I think of writing a screenplay. Dissonance and resolution. Excellent.

Could you please outline the different sections in a symphony please,...

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Pat Alexander

I personally think Beethoven should be included in every soundtrack!

Ashley Renee Smith
Mark Ronson Says Greta Gerwig Wanted the ‘Most Maximalist Thing’ on ‘I’m Just Ken’

I just watched this great video breaking down how 'Barbie the Album' producer, Mark Ronson, composed Ryan Gosling's iconic "I'm Just Ken" song. I love getting this inside look at how it came together. This song lives rent-free in my head on a regular basis now. Lol!

What do you think about Mark's pro...

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Pat Alexander

I always loved Mark Ronson's producer tag back in the day where at the start of his songs he would drop "...Back by popular demand, Mr. Mark Ronson!"

Ashley Renee Smith
This Week's In-Person Stage 32 Meetups in Austin & Phoenix!

Hey, Composers!

There are 2 FREE Stage 32 in-person networking meetups coming up this Thursday, May 16th! I'm including links to the meetup pages for you all below. If you live in any of these cities or are nearby, be sure to RSVP and seize this opportunity to meet with other creatives in person and...

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Suzanne Bronson
Phoenix Composers!

May In Person Meetup

https://www.stage32.com/meetups/1976

Alexander Benra
A lonely ride - cooperation with another stage32 member

A lot of firsts: First song I have published on spotify. First song in collobaration with a stage32 member (text Lenny Levy - Like everyone who wants his music to be notified I would love to see in the statistic that it is actually heard and put on some playlists. More should come, during the next w...

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Mark Benra
Mark Benra
Streame Mark Benra auf Spotify. Künstler*in · 1 monatliche Hörer*innen.
Ashley Renee Smith

Congratulations, Alexander Benra!

Kerry Kennard

Nice ! The vocals sounds a little in the background - w/ effects. Is this the way you wanted it to for the release ? Was it for a certain film, etc. ? Did you use CD Baby or DistroKid for the Distribution ??

Alexander Benra

Thank you for the feedback. I wanted it sound a bit in the backbround. I tried to redo some kind of life atmoshere of an bar (therefore the talking people at the beginning). But I agree in some parts...

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Kerry Kennard

I listened again … maybe bring the guitar back in mix also - when you’re finished with the video / movie. Don’t bring back too much - maybe like 20-25 % w / reverb - as to Blend with scenes, etc

Sydney Summers

May the fourth be with you...

Sam Sokolow

I watched a New Hope again on Saturday and it was awesome to revisit.

Ashley Renee Smith

LOVE, @Linwood Bell! Star Wars Day is my birthday and I watch at least one of the films every year. Some years I do bigger marathons, it just depends on what birthday plans are on the schedule. This y...

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Linwood Bell

Ashley Renee Smith Shucks, I'm late to the party, but .......!!!

Ashley Renee Smith

Linwood Bell Thank youuuuu, my friend! =)

Kerry Kennard
Composing Friend - C’Bus, OH wins Best original Score - Indie Series Awards

An associate I met at MOFA in Columbus, OH won “Best Original Score / series” award recently and wanted to share with the group.

He’s a guy with lots of experience, knowledge and talent.

I Hope ok to post here; don’t think he’s a member yet, so the Success story area wouldn’t work.

Congrats out to M...

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14th Annual Indie Series Awards Nominations
14th Annual Indie Series Awards Nominations
The nominees for the 14th Annual Indie Series Awards were announced today in a special Instagram Live hosted by ISA and Tony Award winner Ca...
Ashley Renee Smith

Very cool, Kerry Kennard! Congrats to Mike!

Kerry Kennard

Thanks - for him :~) He's a good source of inspiration and reality. Hope he finds Stage 32 useful someday.

Navid Lancaster
Maurice Vaughan

"Among the provisions secured in the new contract are protections against artificial intelligence, which SAG-AFTRA said will go into effect immediately. Those include codifying that the terms “artist,...

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Sam Sokolow

Yeah - this is terrific and so glad to see SAG-AFTRA continuing to work hard for artists!

Kerry Kennard

It’s great to see this news … only to 2026 ?? Wow / would like to see extension to 2030 at least - IMHO.

“The deal, which runs through 2026, received 97.69% yes votes. The major record labels covered...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you for sharing and keeping us updated, Navid Lancaster!

Navid Lancaster
Musescore Studio Release

MuseScore is now Musescore Studio with improvements in Muse Sounds and other improvements in anticipation of their next major release later this year. Film Composer background inspiration picture not included. :)

Kerry Kennard

Congrats with the new name. !!

Ashley Renee Smith

Navid Lancaster, what is Musescore Studio used for?

Amanda Toney
12 great original film scores from rock musicians who became composers

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ fantastic Challengers score is the latest to demonstrate the magic that can happen when rockers go Hollywood

https://www.avclub.com/best-film-scores-rock-musicians-1851439236

Linwood Bell

I love film scores from folks like Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Herbie Hancock or even stuff like Marvin Gaye's Trouble Man. There's so much good music out there and so many who do it so well.

Sam Sokolow

I flipped when I heard that Mark Mothersbaugh was scoring films - beyond cool.

Navid Lancaster
AI is Doomed to Fail the Musical Turing Test

I agree with what is being said in this video. AI generated music is here and it's going to stay. It's good for some things and not good for others. Look at the video and let's discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8NyEjB_XeA...

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Kerry Kennard
New Dashboard at BMI

Any other composers/Songwriters see the new Dashboard at BMI ?

It’s really nice !

I went to BMI to write down other Metadata info this week.

Here’s the article; there’s a video how to use when you login to the new portal.

Navid Lancaster

Will check it out later today

Navid Lancaster

Okay just did it. Wow this is really different. Much easier to read and the Royalty Dashboard is very informative

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