Filmmaker Files: The Director/ Composer Relationship

2 years ago

Welcome to the next installment of The Filmmaker Files, where we break down the director’s relationship with various crew members to help first-time directors better understand how to communicate effectively. I’m James Kicklighter, a Stage 32 Thought Leader and multi-award-winning director and producer of The Sound of Identity, Angel of Anywhere, and the upcoming 2024 film, The American Question.

Today’s guest is my composer of over 10 years, Nicolás Repetto, an Argentinian-American television, film, and concert composer who has uplifted many projects with his diverse musical voice. He recently composed and conducted his original music performed by a 50-piece orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall for the unveiling of two new Omega watches, collectively worth $1 Million Dollars. Repetto also composed an original score for the feature documentary, A Run for More, which was broadcast on PBS on May 15, 2023. A Run for More is directed by Pulitzer-Prize winning director Ray Whitehouse; the film chronicles the story of Frankie Gonzalez-Wolfe, a transgender woman running for city council in San Antonio, TX. Nicolás has also composed an original score for director James Kicklighter’s documentary feature film, The Sound of Identity, which chronicles the life of transgender opera singer, Lucia Lucas. The film premiered on STARZ, and is currently playing on The Roku Channel, Plex, Prime Video, and available On Demand. It has been featured in The New York Times, as well as being the winner of the Programmers Award of Excellence at the OUTshine Film Festival. He also scored director Phil Harding’s feature drama, The Reunion which was recently acquired by Gravitas Ventures, and the Slamdance Film Festival premiere of the episodic/pilot Tijuana, directed by Mary-Lyn Chambers.

In our discussion, we covered everything from how to communicate what a director is looking for from a composer, the pros and cons of using temp music in an edit, and how to give feedback to accomplish your goals for the score.

I hope that the lessons I have learned over the years will be informative for you on your filmmaking journey. As ever, I look forward to seeing your feedback in the comments below and the Stage 32 community lounges!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

James Kicklighter was born in 1988, where he spent the first eighteen years of his life in Bellville, Georgia, population 123. He has gone on to become an award-winning director and producer of narrative films, documentaries and advertising. He is an active member of the Director’s Branch of the...

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7 Comments on James's Article

Pamela Jaye Smith

Author, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Acting Teacher, Script Consultant, Story Analyst

Thanks to you both for the helpful insights. Good point about the music reflecting the psychology and emotion of the characters and how it might or might not seem to be aligned with what’s on screen. And how that can be effective. A thing some writers do is listen to certain music as they are writing. Though you’re working with the director it might be helpful to learn if the writer had any particular pieces they plugged into when writing. And easier if the director was also the writer. As you mentioned Lucas listening to 40’s scores. I like how you noted the pacing and editing can be reflected by and enriched by the score. A sound/music seminar I attended included playing a soundtrack without showing the visuals. They asked us what emotions and visuals did we imagine being there based on the music. It was typically pretty close, which is what you want. And so true, sometimes you realize you just don’t want to work with that person again. It’s fine to say “No” and it’s good to hear you giving people that advice. Enjoyed listening to your useful conversation.

2 years ago

James Kick

Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor

So glad it helped! Thank you.

2 years ago

Nicolas Repetto

Composer, Musician

Hi Pamela, the psychological elements, either from a character, or a character's POV, or can be such an inspirational point when I compose. Obviously, it has to work in tandem with the editing, the type of shot (CU, Wide, Medium), and a myriad of other factors, but it's those types of moments that get me going especially if we have a musical theme and it's time to mold into something new. Fun stuff. Thanks for your comment and for watching!

2 years ago

Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter

Great discussion with a lot of helpful insight and advice, James! The part of the video that really stood out to me was when Nicolás said "Have a solid version of what you want the composer to do and get familiar with soundtracks." The whole video is a must-watch for directors and composers! Thanks, James and Nicolás!

2 years ago

Maurice Vaughan

Screenwriter

You're welcome, James. Another part of the video that really stood out to me is when you and Nicolás talked about communication being so important. So many issues can be avoided if there's clear communication.

2 years ago

James Kick

Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor

Thanks for watching!

2 years ago

Linwood Bell

Composer

That was really great, James and Nick! You two covered a lot of ground in that interview and I thank you for sharing your experience with all of us.

2 years ago

Linwood Bell

Composer

You both came across as real gentlemen and a pleasure to work with. Such great insights you have to share having "been down the road" a few times. I really enjoyed it. Bravo, Sir!

2 years ago

Nicolas Repetto

Composer, Musician

Thank you for watching!

2 years ago

Elena Maro

Music Composer

Wow, what a great overview of the Director/ Composer relationship, thank you so much for sharing, James! Starting from how important for a Director is to a have a clear, solid vision, trust, realistic expectations, to how to give notes, to how your decisions will affect many people in the team, even with your take on editing with or without music, you really covered it all. And Nicholas Repetto, as the great composer that you are, you don't leave anything important out, including communication and over-communication, and then the centrality of the story and emotions as the common ground to work with; even the importance of the final mix as a collaborative process to create all together, as a team, the best film possible. This is a must watch for everyone getting into directing or film scoring. Amazing! Thanks again, James and Nicholas and thank you Stage 32!

2 years ago

Nicolas Repetto

Composer, Musician

My pleasure! Glad it was useful.

2 years ago

James Kick

Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor

Glad you thought it was helpful, especially as as composer! Thanks for watching.

2 years ago

Nicolas Repetto

Composer, Musician

Music is such a powerful tool for evoking all kinds of emotions. The use of musical themes or motifs helps the audience psychologically identify with characters and/or locations. Knowing when to employ these is the filmmaker’s greatest tool. And communicating with your composer shouldn’t be a mystery or fearful just because the director doesn’t read or write music. Just have a conversation about emotions and what you’d like the music to do emotionally to serve the story. Thanks again for having me, James!

2 years ago

James Kick

Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor

Always a pleasure!

2 years ago

Ashley Smith 23

Creative Executive, Script Consultant, Producer

I loved this interview, James! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us all. It's so interesting to learn from you and Nick HOW you can begin understanding the language around music and composing to better communicate your needs. I love listening to film scores when I'm writing or working, sometimes even when I'm falling asleep. I can see how the more you listen to them, the better your vocabulary for explaining comps and emotions will be.

2 years ago

James Kick

Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor

Thanks for watching! Language is so important with music.

2 years ago

David Laguillo

Composer

As said in the video Communication is key. I love when I receive synch briefs with extremely detailed and precise instructions about what music is needed even in every second.

2 years ago

James Kick

Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor

It really helps! Thanks for watching

2 years ago