Daily Film scoring bits
Welcome to the Daily Film Scoring Bits. On this page I post little tips, tricks and advices about film scoring in general but also more specific topics like orchestration, composition, working relationships, business advices etc.
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Feedback Time Clause
One thing that can sabotage even the most comfortable time buffer on a project is a client who takes forever to give feedback on…
Doubling Woodwinds
Woodwinds usually sound more brillant and characteristic when they’re playing solistically instead of doubling the same instruments in…
Placebo Effect When Mixing/Mastering
Mixing and mastering has a lot of placebo effect potential and considering all the esotheric advices and approaches that some people advocate for…
Shared Chord Tones
A very commonly used concept in film music to write chord progressions is the concept of shared chord tones. Basically you could treat every chord…
Thematic Overuse
Not every appearance of your main character in the movie needs a statement of his/her theme. Repeating a theme too often can…
Ghostwriting
It happens from time to time that you’re asked to ghost write for someone else, which means that you transfer your authorship to someone…
Harp – Interlocking Hands
Unfortunately, the Harp is not covered in great detail in many orchestration books, leading learning composers and orchestrator to believe that there…
Streamlined Working Environment
Keep your working environment streamlined and focused. Many people like buying all sorts of gear or sample library they can get their fingers…
Stylistic Diversity in One Film
Even though the genre of film music allows a pretty wide variety of stylistics close to each other without feeling weird there are definitely limits…
Be Aware of Reel Changes?
Many books on film scoring mention to avoid having any music over reel changes. Not too long ago when most film projection was done analog…
Creative Disagreement
Working for somebody doesn’t mean that you have to agree with him/her all the time. Don’t be afraid of arguments when discussing about the path…
Written Out Warm Ups for Brass
On longer cues that incorporate the brass only briefly and only on some sections of the cue, it is easier for the players if you help them with…
Marking Scores During Recording Sessions
In recording session situations, it is crucial to keep an overview over which parts of a cue are already covered in a good take and which parts still…
Composing Melody First vs. Composing Chords First
Neither composing chords first and then finding a melody on top of them nor the other way around are optimal composition principles. In both ways you’re…