Communicating with Composers: Best Practices for Getting the Score You Want
Hosted by Kristen Baum
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Hosted by Kristen Baum
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Webinar hosted by: Kristen Baum
Composer of over 40 Film Scores, Sundance Fellow
Kristen Baum is a composer for film and concerts with 40 film scores to her credit, collaborating with filmmakers globally. She has worked closely with film composer Christopher Young (HELLRAISER), orchestrating on PRIEST and WHEN IN ROME and working as part of his music team on UNTRACEABLE and THE UNINVITED. Baum is a Sundance Fellow, selected to participate in the film composing lab for narrative fiction. While at the lab, her mentors included Alan Silvestri (Marvel Cinematic Universe, BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORREST GUMP) and Christopher Young, among others. Baum has scored films in many genres, including ASSASSINS, IN THE LAND OF LOST ANGELS, AS HIGH AS THE SKY, THE WAVE I RIDE, and she has a cue in THE BOOK OF ELI. In addition to scoring for movies, Baum is a frequent contributor of how-to articles about film scoring in Student Filmmakers Magazine. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Star Wars, Jurassic Park, The Godfather… in addition to being all-time great films, all of these movies have instantly recognizable film scores that are part of the reason why they've become classics.
A well-composed score can turn a good movie into a great movie. But how do filmmakers know what they want, especially if they don’t have a music background? What if you aren’t sure how to talk about the score and communicate what you need? How do you prepare for what you want the score to sound like? How do you convey to your composer how the music fits into your narrative?
In this Stage 32 exclusive webinar you’ll learn the ins and outs of film composing and all that it entails, how to find your vision for your score, how to choose the right composer, and how to communicate your concept.
And who better to show you the ropes than a composer who’s worked on over 40 films?
Kristen Baum is a composer for film and concerts, who has collaborated on over 40 film scores and was a Sundance Fellow mentored by Alan Silvestri (Marvel Cinematic Universe, BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORREST GUMP) and Chris Young (HELLRAISER, PET SEMATARY). Kristen is a great talent and resource to learn from.
You’ll also cover the time it takes to compose, record, and mix the score for the final mix, to ensure that you fully understand what it takes to get the score you need.
By the end of this webinar, you’ll have a strong understanding of how filmmakers are able to help build memorable film scores with their composers use them to help create memorable films that stay with audiences for generations.
What You'll Learn
The Music Team – Who Does What?
- Overview of key music team members and their roles
- The Types of music that comprise the soundtrack—ways music can function
- Working with a condensed team for small productions
Choosing a Composer
- How to Find potential composers
- What to ask and share in Initial conversations
- When to bring the composer on, depending on your needs
Figuring Out Your Concept
- How to begin—the thought process for your initial concept
- Considerations that can and should influence your score concept
- Communicating your concept with a music editor and/or composer
The Spotting Session
- What it is, why it’s crucial, what needs to be discussed
- Who should be in the room?
- What happens after the spotting session?
Playback Sessions (or Show & Tells)
- What is the purpose of the playback session?
- What are the schedule considerations?
- Understanding the scoring process
Q&A with Kristen
About Your Instructor
Kristen Baum
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