Film Scoring Tips

A recent technique I developed not too long ago, was to visit the Apple Trailer website, download a trailer I liked, strip the audio from the footage, and then rewrite the music for the footage to my liking. This technique is incredibly useful because you get to use professionally edited high quality footage to write your music too.

If you’re just starting out at this scoring stuff then you may not realize how important well edited footage contributes to the composition of your music. Highly experienced, highly trained editors, are very musical, and know how to move into and out of scenes in a very fluid way. I know editors that use click or beep tracks, to help keep the movement of the footage going.

Keep in mind that if you score enough footage that has been professionally edited, then you will realize how a good and not so good editor compare. Just don’t insult anybody’s skills that may not be up to the par that you’re use to. There will be plenty of jobs that are not very well put together and the threshold of the burden will be placed upon your shoulders to help tie the scenes together. Your job becomes more difficult when you’re working with people who are less skilled than you. However it’s these projects, if you let them, that will help you to become very good at your job.

Below are the same trailer for 2008 release of the movie Australia. The one on the left is the original and the one on the right is the version I scored. Take a moment to notice the differences between the two and then below the footage will be an explanation on how to do it, as well as, things to keep in mind.

Movie Studio Release

My Original Score

Here’s how you do it.

1) Go to the Apple Trailers Website www.apple.com/trailers

2) Download a Quicktime Version of a trailer you like.

(*If you are a PC user I strongly suggest you buy the full pro version of Quicktime in order to do this process. It’s 30$, but it is well worth it. I have experimented with several free conversion programs and have gotten too many varied results. Quicktime is very easy to use and consistent. If you buy the full version, it will allow you to download any Quicktime file off of any website.)

3) Import your video into your sequencing program of choice (Pro-tools, Nuendo, Cubase, DP, Logic, etc.. )

4) Most sequencing programs will extract the audio from the Quicktime video you import into it’s sequencing window. It will allow you to mute, edit or delete, the audio track, so you can write your music to the footage. Make sure when exporting the audio the audio file is the exact length of the footage. Meaning, when you line the exported stereo track up with the footage in your sequence there’s no mistake as to where the music should line up, if you were to import them into another program.

5) Once you’re done with writing your music, import the footage into a video editor. If you’re on a Mac chances are you’re using iMovie which means you won’t have to convert, if you’re on a PC it’s Window’s Movie Maker, which will not accept “.mov” files. You have to open Quicktime Pro to export it as an “.avi” (Email me if you need conversion settings)

6) Next, line the music up to the footage and export it as an .mp4 for mac or .avi for windows. (The .mp4 file format looks the best and usually is the smallest in size, in my humble opinion.)

Okay I think that’s a good place to stop. Next month will be composing tips and suggestions. It will cover suggested reading materials for composing and orchestration techniques as well as what to keep in mind while composing for media. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!!

Composers, Songwriters, & Musicians VS Themselves

This is a brand new blog and a first for me. My name is Tim Juliano and I am a Los Angeles based composer, who although is not readily known throughout the land, does happen to eek out a living composing in this over saturated under educated market.

Being an educated composer, and in the music business for 9 years, I feel that I can impart some wisdom on the dos and don’ts of this industry, and hopefully be enlightened by others who may share some insights with me and whomever reads this.

What I’d like highlight, is how to cultivate a mature reliable personality in a very unstable and frustrated field. I will focus on:

* Self Analysis & Introspection
* Collaboration
* Constructive Criticism
* Proficiency: Are you proficient enough to do and be what you say you are?
* How to score socially, so that you can score for film, tv, commercials etc…

I believe that a problem or obstacle is something to overcome and not something to just stare and yell bad names at. (Try it, it doesn’t work)

This article is an overview and I won’t get super detailed on everything, because it would become a book and I would lose everyone very quickly.  If this blog becomes even remotely useful and somewhat popular then I will cover topics on, how to get composing jobs, (and no I won’t , sell you some crappy book, or program. I think that’s disingenuous.) what the absolute basic recording components and systems you need for professional composing, mix suggestions, improving your skills, and just overall work life balance techniques that so many creative professionals forget about.

The very first and absolute most important topic that needs to be discussed is YOU! You as a person is the most important thing in the world and all the talent and skill in the world will not make up for a self loathing, or over inflated ego driven maniacal jerk, crashing his or her way through the already treacherous landscape know as entertainment. (How about that run-on rant of a sentence?)

Before starting down the path of the very weary composer or whatever, it’s important to do some self-analysis and see if there are areas of yourself that could use some major improving. (We all know self improvement is never ending!)

If anyone really took a moment to be introspective, they’d realize that  all of everyone’s basic desire is to be happy and to express who they are in a creative way. Now before I start losing some of you who think that this is some airy fairy love fest that lacks substance, then let me just say it is profoundly important to be happy and express yourself. It is a detriment to your success if your ultimate goal is not to pursue these states of being. Any true artist has a deep undeniable drive to create with or without the world’s approval. That being the case it might be a good idea to know how to work with others successfully, to create a life that sustains your passion.

This is especially important when being criticized by others for the music that you’ve written. As many people know it’s impossible to compose something that everyone on the entire planet will enjoy and pay you money for. There will always be someone who will not like your work, and it is your job not to become defensive and first hear what they have to say. Does your craft need improvement? Did you do the best job you could? Maybe a bit more independent study or professional instruction is needed? or Is this guy or girl listening to your “Masterpiece” just bent and a contrarian who won’t be satisfied with anything? Regardless of the actual reason, staying calm and focused and not letting the comments get to you is imperative. Listen but don’t absorb!

Developing an objective view of yourself (I know that sounds like an oxymoron) will help you to move forward and to stay persistent and focused for the long haul. When you don’t have an objective view, and what I find completely crazy in the music biz, then you may feel the complete over dominating pressure to crap on the guy next to you! I’ve experienced it so many times that it’s laughable, but I’m not here talk about that. I’m here to tell you what you already know! You can catch more fly’s with honey than vinegar!

What the hell does that mean? It means that true friendship, camaraderie, and appreciation will always win out in the long run to what everyone ultimately is striving to for. I have created many great friendships with people over the years and I can say, that solid friendships have not only led to a more meaningful life, but more work as well. When you seek to be a person first and a composer/musician  second, you always win.

Directors, producers, and editors don’t care about your ability to compose Aleatoric Music or that you’ve composed a piece of music by bending hand saw blades with violin bows. (Even though that’s impressive) It’s already assumed that you are competent with your craft. They want to know that they can work with you for long periods of time and then still grab a drink or have a beer with you and it not be socially awkward. (Or for your songwriters, talk about yourself the entire time.)

Finally my wrap up to my own self indulgent opinion, and the last topic that needs to be talked about is self-loathing push overs. Many people do not know that being self loathing is on the exact opposite end of the EGO spectrum. Basically anyone who is severely depressed or damaged thinks that they are the only people on the planet who experiences the pain that they do, and no one else can understand them. Whereas ego maniacs think that they are the best and no one will ever be better than them. Either way they are extremely insecure people and they alienate everyone out of their lives that could help them. The entertainment world is becoming less tolerant of imbalanced personalities. The world has evolved beyond the judgement of people who seek personal help. It’s no longer taboo to care for your mental stability, and if its at all in question, don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s a sign of strength not weakness.

Having a good sense of yourself is a lifetime effort, and balancing your achievements with your areas that need work, is important but not a task unattainable. Working everyday, whether it be a glorious moment, or one of tragedy is always better when you have friends, or whoever, near to celebrate or to help during those experiences. (And there’s no arguing that!)