Commissioning a Film Score

Extremely Versatile, Original, Classically-Trained Composer
Combines The Emotional Sweep Of The Symphony Orchestra
With A Modern, Pop/Rock/Electronic Sound

As a classically trained composer, the entire world of music is available as my sound palette. That means I can score for just about any dramatic situation: from source cue disco music to the orchestral soundtrack.

Unlike many classically trained composers, I understand that in film, music is there to serve the drama—not the other way around! And as the director (or producer), it is YOUR vision we are bringing to life. I’m here to help you realize it to its fullest potential.

If you’re looking for a well trained composer to join your team and support you in bringing your vision into reality, here’s what you can expect by working with me…

For An Authentic Sound Full Of Energy & Emotion,
I Use Real, Live Musicians…

Live musicians bring an energy… an authenticity… and most of all, a powerful emotion, that electronic samples just can’t duplicate. Sound libraries have come a long way, but they still have a low budget, “we-can’t-afford-musicians-so-we’re-faking it” sound about them.

And that can mean the difference between totally selling an emotional moment… or creating a big ball of cheese.

Don’t get me wrong. Samples are often necessary to supplement live musicians and flesh out the sound on a low budget production. But even just one live player can lend an authenticity and emotion you wouldn’t get otherwise.

Compare the level of energy and emotion in the following demos to get a feel for what I mean…

Sampled Orchestra:

Samples + Live Musicians:

Live Musicians:

Why Should You Care About Classical Training?

Many of today’s film composers have a room full of music gear… but are lacking in musical training. It takes solid training and years of practice to gain the necessary musical skills and compositional craft to produce great work.

Formal training also allows a composer to be flexible, malleable, and able to score for just about any dramatic situation. A well-trained composer can break down the elements of any style and emulate it without copying it. There are no stylistic barriers for a good composer. The whole world is his palette! Consider the following demo sequence (which illustrates but a fraction of my stylistic range)…

How To Spot A Bad Composer (And Know When You’ve Found A Good One)

Film scoring is both an ART and a CRAFT. Art is the process of creating. Craft is the process of refining. Art cannot be taught. You either have it or you don’t. But craft can be learned and honed over time.

Craft is what chooses the perfect music (out of infinite possibilities) for the scene… Craft follows each emotional nuance and visual cue… Craft makes the music “fit” – both from a technical and aesthetic point of view… And craft knows how to write for live musicians.

Want to know how to spot good craft? Look at the transitions. Does the music flow smoothly from one scene or “groove” to the next (good craft)… or is it awkward and hesitant (poor craft)? Look at the synchronization. Does the music “fit” what’s happening on screen (good craft)… or does it blithely go about its own business regardless of what’s happening on screen (poor craft)?

Craft is about the details. It’s about being a perfectionist, and working at it until it’s RIGHT.

(See video demos.)

Creating Art as an Act of Service…

I approach film scoring—as any project I take on—as both a work of art and an act of service. It is an act of service in two ways…

1. It is a service to you, the filmmaker, by helping you realize your artistic vision to the fullest extent possible.
2. It is a service to your film’s audience by creating an emotional musical sound-scape that heightens the dramatic impact of the film.

For me, this is a calling… a way of life… a means of expression—not just a way to “make a living”. (There are much better ways, believe me!) That means that as long we both feel we’re a good fit for each other, I am more than happy to work within your budget—whatever it might be. We’ll figure out a way to make it work.

If you have a project you really believe in, and you’re looking for someone to write a score that will knock it out of the park, please contact me to discuss your vision.

Let’s create a piece of cinematic art!