Composing

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Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Every success story begins with a first step.

If you’re ready to take yours, join me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community at Stage 32, for our December Community Open House Webcast happening Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-december-community-open-house-webcast-with-ashley-smith

Whether you’re chasing representation, looking for collaborators, or simply tired of creating in isolation, this live event is your chance to show up, be seen, and start making real progress.

This isn’t just an overview — it’s your creative launchpad. You’ll walk away with practical tools, new connections, and a clear path forward, no matter your background or where you are in your career.

You’ll Learn How To:

  • Navigate Stage 32 like a pro and make the platform work for your goals
  • Build authentic connections through the Stage 32 Lounges
  • Access Education, Certification, and Script Services tailored to your next big move
  • Show up in ways that get you noticed by the right people at the right time
  • Participate in real-time Q&A and get guidance specific to your path

Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, actor, producer, composer, editor, or wear multiple creative hats — this is where your Stage 32 journey truly begins.

If you can’t attend live, don’t worry — registering ensures you’ll receive the full recording to watch anytime from anywhere.

Who’s planning to join me live for the Open House?


Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Olivia Laine
Newby Advice!

Hi Everyone! ☺️

I have been wanting to focus more on my singing and possibly getting together with other creators to produce some music, but I have no idea of where to start!

While I love acting and plan on still doing it, singing has always been my favorite when it comes to performing arts. I know I...

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Ashley Renee Smith
Why a “CGI Monkey” Music Biopic Works Way Better Than It Should

Hey Composing Lounge,

I just watched this breakdown on Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic where he’s portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee, and it’s a really fun conversation starter for anyone who thinks about music, identity, and how songs function inside a story.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

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Maurice Vaughan

I haven't seen Better Man yet, Ashley Renee Smith. It looks interesting. I think what makes a music biopic’s song choices feel earned is when the song is about the story, something in the person's lif...

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Liked by Kerry Kennard and one other

Kerry Kennard
The Colony - older movie / great scoring and soundscape

I enjoyed this movie. - the Colony.

Lorenz used a lot of new concepts for me.

From how he and his team created Low sounding drums to create tension within the movie, to smooth sounding techniques throughout the movie made the audience and movie a great experience.

Wanted to share and see if anyone ha...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Kerry Kennard. I don't think I've seen The Colony, but I'll check it out and keep an ear out for the music and sounds. Thanks.

Kat Spencer
How Are You Capturing Ideas Right Now?

Curious how other composers capture ideas when inspiration hits.

Voice memos, notation apps, DAWs, piano sketches, or something else?

Maurice Vaughan

I save ideas in Microsoft Word or emails, Kat Spencer. I also downloaded a voice recorder app to save ideas.

Stuart Michael Thomas

In the car it's voice memos on my phone. If I have to be quiet then it's a music notebook I usually have in my bag. At home it's sometimes guitar into the phone or a short sketch in Cubase.

Wyman Brent
Happy Holidays!!!

Merry Christmas

Aitziber Olabarri

Happy Holidays, Wyman!

Wyman Brent

Aitziber Olabarri, thank you. I hope you have a wonderful time meeting 2026.

Pat Alexander
The Sound of One Battle After Another

Step inside the sound design and mix of Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film, One Battle After Another, with this in-depth look at the work of the sound team. Featuring Re-recording mixer, supervising sound editor, sound designer Chris Scarabosio, Re-recording mixer Tony Villaflor and Production Sound...

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Maurice Vaughan

I watched One Battle After Another the weekend, Pat Alexander. The movie and sound are incredible! The sound is unique! It's one of the things I'm still thinking about. Thanks for sharing the video....

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Geoff Hall
“He was told it was over”: 10 years ago, David Bowie’s final and most poignant single saw him turn his own death into art

It has been 10 years this month that David Bowie left this mortal coil. Here is a great and insightful article into the collaborations that Bowie was involved in with musicians and filmmakers and is a testimony to his resilience and commitment to his work as an artist.

When focusing on the video for...

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Maurice Vaughan

My condolences to David's family, friends, and fans, Geoff Hall. I'm not sure if I've heard of his music, but I've heard of him. I also found out he was a songwriter and actor....

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan yeah Maurice, he was an established actor. His credits include: Labyrinth (1986), The Man who fell to Earth (1976) Twin Peaks (2014) Absolute Beginners (1986) Merry Christmas Mr. Lawre...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan here's one track from David, which dates back from 1969. 'Space Oddity'

https://youtu.be/iYYRH4apXDo...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the video, Geoff Hall. I found out yesterday David was in Labyrinth. I didn't know he was Jareth. His character is the main thing I remember about the movie....

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan that’s cool, Maurice. By the way - His music evolved over the decades and is so unlike Space Oddity.

Kat Spencer
Quick December poll for composers:

What’s your favorite Christmas music to listen to (or secretly love)?

I’ve always loved David Lanz and obviously Mannheim Steamroller.

But if we’re being honest about true Christmas music…

The Chipmunks are my go-to.

Your turn.

Maurice Vaughan

Kat Spencer My favorite is "Carol of the Bells" by John Williams (Home Alone).

Rose Dupuis

Hey Kat Spencer, Kenny G, love saxophone , Celine Dion I can harmonize with, and Ill Divo makes me feel like I am in love shifting my mood on the first song. They fill my home with beautiful voices and music that lifts spirits and warm souls.

Mark Gosney

The rock guitarist in me loves Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I would love to put together a local Christmas show with all their greatest Christmas tunes, my cover band Hired Gunn has talked about it but i...

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Navid Lancaster
The first Teaser is out - the excitement builds.

The first teaser from the new Steven Spielberg film has been released. This will be the the 30th collaboration between him and Maestro John Williams. All set for release next year June. I'm so looking forward to seeing and HEARING it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFe6NRgoXCM...

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Maurice Vaughan

I can't wait to see Disclosure Day, Navid Lancaster! It looks and sounds incredible!

Mark Gosney

My anticipating is growing!!

Prema Rose

Me too!

Rose Dupuis

Wow this is so close to the heart. Bring it on Whoow

TomaŽ. Fajfar

ZGODOVINA FILMA / HISTORY OF FILMAvtor / Avtor: Tomaž Fajfar

Žanr / Žanr: Biografska drama, ustvarjalna pot, duhovna vizijaLoglineSL: V tišini domače pisarne se rodi zgodba, ki bo osvojila srca sveta. Expand comment
Geoff Hall
How Hans Zimmer and Radiohead transformed “Bloom” for Blue Planet II

I came across this video in my YouTube feed and was enthralled by the musical techniques it explores. It’s a conversation between Hans Zimmer, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood about their collaboration for BBC’s The Blue Planet series.

They explore ‘the tidal orchestra’ and ‘aleatoric’ compositions and...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Geoff Hall. I listen to "Survivor" when I work on an Action or Thriller script. I'm gonna listen to the "Bloom" remix when I write. Thanks again. Have a great weekend!...

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Meriem Bouziani

I think Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is a great example of turning the feelings of the seasons into music.

But I still have a question: did he truly succeed in translating the seasons into sound, or do we fe...

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Geoff Hall

Meriem Bouziani hi Meriem, I suppose you might have to go back to the original audience and see what they thought. I also think it depends what you mean by representing the seasons. Such things are be...

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Meriem Bouziani

Yes, I agree with you—we are programmed in certain ways. If we want to understand the true meaning and emotional impact of music, we would need to ask someone who has never heard it before and knows n...

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Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan I looked for the transformed “Bloom” track on iTunes, but sadly couldn’t find it. I would love to play it during a writing session....

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Ashley Renee Smith
Behind the Screen: Scoring Avatar: Fire and Ash

If you love thinking about music as world-building, emotional architecture, and invisible storytelling, this conversation is well worth your time.

In this Behind the Screen feature, Grammy-winning composer Simon Franglen breaks down his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash and shares what he learned from the...

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Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the video, Ashley Renee Smith. The music in the clip is incredible! I didn't used to pay much mind to music and sound in scripts, but I learned they can enhance stories. I'd never t...

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Meriem Bouziani

Music was an important part of the world-building in The Disabled Puzzle. In some scenes, I use Beethoven’s music; in others, I simply describe what the music should feel like. Overall, I believe musi...

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Vladimir Romantsev

Atmosphere, mood, meaning, and space... Coming soon from musician Mandrake: the new album "Gradstein 2", featuring 18 tracks. Listen on Apple Music and Spotify—and let us know what you think!

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