Composing

Linwood Bell Would love to hear “The Asteroid Field” performed live!

Best I can do :)

Linwood Bell It’s perfect.

George Ioannidis There's too much me in here already. lol

Ok, great, George Ioannidis.

Would love to have a live orchestral recording one day.

David Obaniyi I have no doubt that you will have that opportunity.

Always a pleasure having real instruments recorded by professional musicians. Samples are great for layering but are still missing the wonderful and irreplaceable emotions.

Congratulations, Dara!! What a fun project to be a part of! I can't wait to see it and hear the score.

Congrats, Dara! Wishing you much success with this one. Looking forward to hearing it!

That is awesome! I already wanted to see the movie and now want to see it even more and will listen to the score even more closely knowing a Stage 32 community member made it happen. Huge congratulations, Dara!!!

Love Dara's work, congratulations to her!

Congrats Dara! Well done!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Scott

This is great, thanks for sharing Linwood Bell!

As a kid growing up I heard his music on all the Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes stuff. Amazing writing. Nice tip of the hat from Gordon.

What an interesting career. Had no idea. Thanks for sharing!

There are great CDs of Raymond Scott music for those who want to hear more. Also, the Carl Stalling Project CDs are terrific. Carl Stalling lifted "Powerhouse" for Warner Bros. cartoons, and these discs are full of Looney Tunes original soundtracks, sometimes with outtakes.

What was Dad's story? I'd totally score it if I had it together to make a doc.

Excellent advice, Fran Harris. Learning about composing (or any part of the industry) through articles, webinars, etc. is great, but mix those things with "hands on" learning, and you've got an advantage.

Sounds like great Advice, Fran !! Ed out in WA said to make your own videos for more examples of your work. Hope your Dad is still living - give him a hug!! My dad died back in '95. We don't know the hours and length of our lives; granted, there are signs at times. Yes, writing for mood is challenging, though not impossible. Lot of people like the one music from the girl / guy story I did during Michelle Lockey's course; it's on my YouTube and Website. If I had video, I think I would do this. Right now, I have a few Collabs going on and working, other .. yep plate full. Be Bless'd. K. Kennard

My condolences, Kerry Kennard.

Linwood Bell Sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KTNNen0Iyw

I keep it unlisted because it's only for potential clients. I do plan on re-doing it with some newer tracks and re-do all the visuals using some AI stuff. But that's when I find some time.

Nathan Daniel This is great! I'm watching as I type. Sounds really nice and I love your graphics. Great demo!

Linwood Bell Thanks! It's worked out well for me. I used to have full tracks but I know how busy people are and with so many people trying to get your attention, I can't see how anyone would listen to my complete tracks. But thats just me.

I may have full short videos, though they're less than 2 mins. I prob. need to make a reel like Nathan mentioned ! Thank you Nathan Daniel . Now to find the time. I'm writing a few Collabs. as well as Copyright, my PT job, etc. The Brigerton 2 min sample is nice, though, prob. can be condensed to show the better emotional parts. Would delegating the task be worth the effort to make it a reality ?? Hmm - I've done pretty good with editing short videos. Good night - after midnight here, lol.

Joel Irwin Hi Joel, I loved “Kambuda”. There’s great talent on display. We are glad to have you sharing this in the community.

Joanna - its always beneficial to learn from the 'masters'. Last night I was flipping channels and ran across Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981). You don't have to listen to the score for the whole film to understand how the editors brilliantly mixed a full orchestra John Williams score (rather quietly I think). Watch from the opening through the plane takeoff after the rolling stone scene. The music is there and wonderful and emphatic but never in the way. As I recollect, the raiders score is discussed in an exhibit at the Academy Museum in LA (for those of you living in LA) and how it was created and mixed.

I’m with you, JK. The mix doesn’t enter my mind. I'm naive and figure it’s gonna be right. :) Of course that’s not always the case. As they say, stuff happens. But it’s only music and no one gets hurt. It’s easy to let things go and move on to that gig on your desk. I also like using live players, but many times there is no budget for live players it seems. I use to study with Dell Hake and while I was doing it he was on The Simpsons. Dell would conduct it, orchestrate, and write some of the cues. Kind of funny when you think about it. All the actors are fake, but all the musicians playing the score were real. They’d start writing on Monday and then record on Friday and the show aired Sunday. He did that every week for 25 years. Talent/Budget is King.

Thanks for this thoughtful and fascinating post, Joel Irwin. A lot of ideas and concepts here that are so important to consider. I wonder if this idea of where music can crescendo and where it can sit somewhat underneath the on-screen action is why filmmakers like Spielberg like to have their films scored in a studio while the film is playing. Am I a complete composing neophyte for asking that question or is there any merit to it? Would love your thoughts on that. Thanks!

JW doesn't use a click track all the time so he needs to see the film.

I would think the budget from them (producer) or the composer is the issue, Joel. Granted, the real instrument is probably stand out more than the MIDI / VST sounds, since warmer and real sounding. For a Cello, it might be hidden better with rest of the mix. My main Mastering guy really made a great point about using real players, saying it's worth it when it's the Solo instrument in the piece. This proj., we're doing a Collab. and I'm using MIDI Strings, and ... he's right. I think it's worth the extra performer, if affordable. The Embertone series does a great job - really like the more Wood sound than other ones. Hope this small post is not too off point from your question. Have a great week.

K. Kennard

- - -

. Do you discuss the pros/cons of using live performers (which are higher cost) for cues which are likely to mix very low?

Watching now - and pausing. I do see the Powerpoint in video; available as download ?

That is so wonderful Don! I'm so glad! :)

Hi Kerry! I don't believe so but you can screen shot each slide and the handout has lots of info!

Thank you - Michele - I’m enjoying the

Video so far as well.

That is so wonderful Kerry! I'm so glad!

Nice...the score came in today's mail. Looking forward to going through it and trying to learn a thing or two. 126 for 43 minutes. My arms are sore already.

What an intriguing score. I'll have to take a closer listen.

It's a really nice piece. It just keeps moving forward and everyone plays nice 'n tight.

Great share, Linwood Bell! It's incredible how TikTok has changed the pipeline of how music can reach massive audiences and gain a following through direct distribution. Some of my favorite artists, albums, and songs of the last couple of years were all discovered on TikTok as completely unknown talent.

This is awesome, thanks for sharing @Linwood!

Inspiring stuff

https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Film-Composing-Master-Class-with-Terenc...

Nice to see Gary Bartz, as well. I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. I've never had the chance to see Terence, but saw Gary with Miles and McCoy. :)

Congratulations to Terence Blanchard and Gary Bartz!!! I'm not into Jazz heavily, Linwood Bell, so I'm not sure if I've heard of them, but I like listening to Jazz. It's relaxing. I wanted to learn how to play the saxophone growing up.

You've heard Terence for sure. Google films scored by Terence Blanchard. As if all of that isn't enough, he's out with Herbie Hancock now. To do that gig you're the best of the best. If Herbie comes close to you on this tour, go see it. I've seen him many times and he's always on fire. Gary has done a ton of stuff, too. I saw him with Miles Davis in the early '70's. I'd tell you to put on Miles' Live Evil, but it'd be too much if you're not ready for it. Stuff is deep. :)

I played sax. I started in the 5th grade and actually gigged on it for a few years before I switched over to keys. It's never too late to start and find your voice on it and say what you have to say. Get one!

Let me know what you think once you see it, Linwood Bell! I'm hearing mixed reviews, but as a Thomas Newman super fan, I hope the music is solid even if the story feels lacking. My fingers are crossed!

I've listened to the score a few times now. I always like everything he does. His harmonic and rhythmic genius gets me from bar 1. I can't go wrong going to see the film because I get to go with this guy and have some popcorn, a few laughs, and make the memory.

Thats what truly matters, Linwood Bell! =)

This is a great reminder of what movies are all about - going to the theater with people who love and experiencing something you'll never forget. I hope you and your grandson had a blast!