One thing I’ve learned with composing music is that there is never enough time, making the process all the more exciting and challenging. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Last semester, I had the privilege of composing for a FSU senior film.
Sophie Rizzo, FSU film student (now graduated), asked me to be the sole composer for her senior film Sisters. She sent me her synopsis and script for me to get familiar with while she worked on finishing her first rough cut.
A few months later, Sophie sent me the rough cut for me to start composing. Nine minutes of film and I had complete creative freedom for the music… what a treat!
So, how did I do it?
First, I watched the film. Then, I watched the film again… and again… and again. I stopped it at each point I thought music would fit and made note. What were the characters feeling in that moment? What emotion do I want to enhance with the music in the scene? Then, I talked through all my ideas with Sophie and, luckily, she agreed with everything.
Creating music for a film is a lot different than the music I’ve composed before. In the film, the music is supposed to be supplemental… in the background, not the main focus. I found myself composing and having to reel things back because the music was too heavy or dramatic. I had to find a balance between creating music that would enhance the characters’ emotions without taking away from the scenes.
When watching a movie or a film, people who aren’t musicians won’t be fixated on the music or sound effects. However, the film music subconsciously makes the audience feel what the director wants them to feel.
Simply put, for a sad scene, a composer may write in a minor key and a slower tempo with jut enough ornamentation to make the music interesting, but not distract from the scene.
Is a composer is writing for an action scene, they may use instruments like electric guitars, bass and drums in an up-tempo piece to excite the audience. In modern action movies, specifically car-chase scenes, I hear a lot of hip-hip.
Within the two-week timeline I was given, I spend a lot of late nights composing, mixing, and editing my music hoping it would live up to Sophie’s expectations.
Most musicians will agree with the statement that music is never finished. There’s always more mixing that can be done, more harmonies to be added, or more effects that can be used. However, my two-week timeline came to an end and I turned in my “finished” project to Sophie.
Long story short, she loved it! I finished in early February and she has the rest of spring semester to finish editing.
Two months later, Sophie invited my to the premiere screening event for all the FSY senior films in May.
The screening was at the Student Life Cinema, a beautiful theater right next to my sister’s old dorm. (Go noles!) Everyone was dressed to the nines and my dad said it reminded him of when he went to premieres for films he composed for.
From fiction, to animation, to documentaries… there were so many films made by the talented FSU senior film students.
Sisters was the second film in the line up. I wasn’t nervous until it started playing. With the first strum of the guitar I composed for the introduction, I swear I could hear my heart beating louder than my music in the surround sound theater… then I had to repeat that to myself. My music in the surround sound theater… woah! Butterflies.
The audience laughed at every joke told in the film. This was my first time hearing my music in such a large setting. I soaked up every second with Anna and my dad by my side.
As the rest of the films were shown, I could relax and appreciate the intricate details of them, especially the music.
One thing I’ve learned with composing music is that there is never enough time, making the process all the more exciting and challenging. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Composing for Sophie’s film and attending the screening was the highlight of my junior year.
Thanks for spending five minutes of your day with me!
