Movies seeking scores?

[Peace Out Pat]

My favorite aspect of creating all genres of music is the prospect of someday, headlining a movie score, or even just throwing in a couple of short 1-2 min atmospheric pieces for a backdrop. I just really don't have the connections or musical networking to find moviemakers to work with. Anybody have any advice for getting into movie scores?

 

[2GooD Productions]

The best way to get into that sort of thing is by going to a publishing company.

 

[dacalion]

I woould attack this just like the record industry. My advice would be to try and contact someone who has done it. I wouldn't think that they would give you the run around as there are plenty of opportunities to go around in that line of work. Check the musical score credits on any movie and try to contact the person or company that provided it. When you dont have any networking established, that should be your first goal. Your best bet is with a company, they just might be looking for some new talent and maybe you are the one. The worst thing they can do is hang the phone up on you so I say go for it. Once you establish yourself, then look at the posibilities of going solo.

dac

 

[Ozmosis]

Its like everything else, you got to have a body of work, a nice resume. The worst thing that can happen is that someone becomes interested willing to listen and all you have is a a few hip hop beats. I dont know what your library consist of, but try to have an array of tracks style wise.

 

[classic]

ive been working on the scores of a couple indie films that are set to be released this year. Both directors contacted me though a mutual firend. The main thing is to get yourself out their. You also gotta be professinal. Indie directors are always looking for musicans so its not that hard. You can hit people up on facebook.

Oz has some great advice as well, you cant just be a beat maker trying to score films, you gotta build some meat behind your resume and show that you can work with various artists and musicans. Having entire projects to show is always a good start. You cant hit a director with a bunch of beats


Having a basic knowlege of music theory helps as well. The director may want something in a certain key etc...

class..

 

[hanayalator]

Ya you should check out your local craigslist. There's always student filmakers that are looking for music for their movies, and that's a good way to get some contacts. As for actual film scoring, be advised that it's a very specific art. Most of the guys that are scoring big films come from a composing backround, and they know more shit than you can imagine. You should definitely check out some composing and theory conecpts if you really want to get into scoring.

H

 

[thedreampolice]

Find some indie film makers, do a few indie films for free. Build up your resume and portfolio. Rinse and repeat until you can get paid.

 

[Peace Out Pat]

Thanks all. I shall visit my local coffee shops in search of the best in indie film making.

 

[shadeed]

My favorite aspect of creating all genres of music is the prospect of someday, headlining a movie score, or even just throwing in a couple of short 1-2 min atmospheric pieces for a backdrop. I just really don't have the connections or musical networking to find moviemakers to work with. Anybody have any advice for getting into movie scores?

Ok P.O.P. Here we go - filmmaking is a LOT different than beatmaking for a few reasons that have never changed since I started paying attention to the film industry.

1.) Indie filmmakers are typically broke but creative people who will accept all the help they can get to get their ideas seen and heard. (The term "broke" is relative because it costs up to 5 times more to create a good indie flick than it does to record a good indie CD)

2.) Film is a smaller circle and thus harder to break into but once you do, you can secure yourself some consistent work.

3.) In hip hop, you can literally steal/sample other works and become famous for it. You won't make it far if you don't compose originally for film projects (in general).

Now, here are some (uncommon yet effective) tips you (and other producers) can use to start getting in the mode of scoring.

1.) Find a song that has a video that you enjoy. Remix the song with your own beat and then sync the completed work to the music video. Upload to YouTube.

2.) Stop making beats in song format <16 bars - chorus - 16>.
Start "extending" your beats for 5-10 minutes and try to add some variation here and there.
Try to get good at it.

3.) Find your favorite movie. A movie that you know the scene very well. Put it on mute and make a track to it for the entire sequence.

4.) Once you master your favorite movie scene, find famous/classic movie scenes and add your own flavor to it.

If you master these 4 tips that I've mentioned, then you'll be ready to start networking, which I'll provide you tips on how to "work" film premieres, how to find directors, and how to generate leads for your stuff. Good luck.

 

[Peace Out Pat]

Funnily enough I've tried all those things about music, except for remixing to a music video, because I can't really do that. I'm a pianist really, but I use my talent for beats, I've made some ambient noises, eery background music, and I have at least a couple tracks hidden throughout my beat catalogue that would be perfect for a movie...

Now should I make a separate myspace for score music, opposite my beats?

 

[UNORTHODOX]

I was goin to suggest the same thing shadeed said (using famous movies)

 

[shadeed]

Funnily enough I've tried all those things about music, except for remixing to a music video, because I can't really do that. I'm a pianist really, but I use my talent for beats, I've made some ambient noises, eery background music, and I have at least a couple tracks hidden throughout my beat catalogue that would be perfect for a movie...

Now should I make a separate myspace for score music, opposite my beats?

No. You don't have a track record for scoring music so it would be a waste to have a separate myspace for scoring at this point.

If I was doing a MySpace for the RZA, who is now doing steady film work and has an accomplished hip hop background, I would lead off with video of the up-tempo film stuff he has done and then mention the Wu Tang projects he's completed. Films are considered more prestigious in the entertainment industry.

In your case once you start doing some film work, then you want to highlight that on your site. You should also learn to edit and clip together video, its one of the best promo assets that a producer has these days.

 

[Peace Out Pat]

I appreciate your advice, very much. Wish me luck (in heart, not post), thread closed. Unless someone has a master gem of advice.