Filmmaking / Directing : Free webcast: Composer + Filmmaker Relationship: How to Make Your Indie Film Successful Webcast by Amanda Toney

I just signed up for this webcast too, Amanda Toney. Looking forward to it! Thanks.

I just signed up too Thanks

I come at it as someone who has written more than 400 songs. I would love to know how to get my songs out to the right ears.

Just signed up!

QUESTION for panelists: For low-budget indie projects, what are some creative ways to approach music licensing or original scoring?

Thanks for having this webcast, Stage 32 and Film Raderie! Thanks for being part of the panel, Lagueria, Dara, Phil, and Emilie! Thanks for moderating, Colin and Ashley!

What’s one way screenwriters can use music to enhance their scripts?

Listen to Wagner. He invented the movie score. Although it was opera. Star Wars stole his aesthetic concepts and even his use of returning motives for characters.

Good morning!!! Thank you for today! I'm very excited! I'm from Australia... it's 4am and I am pumped!

Thanks for the link cause my chat is disabled.

Ty here, watching from Houston, Texas.

I am a producer of an animation short and is going to choose a composer soon. May I know what are the important aspects of choosing a composer for the project? Does location matter (filmmaker and composer together in one city working together in a studio or in two different cities working off notes and zoom)? Or, the familiarity of genre? Personality match?

Ty here, watching from Columbia, South Carolina.

Question for Colin and Phil: How would you advise a composer working on a very low budget to give value to musicians that you would like to have your music performed and recorded by?

I am an American watching from Germany

All EARS! This is something I know nothing about and I'm excited to learn when and how to get the music to set the tone (and tune) to my film.

Watching from NY. Question: How early in the production does a composer and filmmaker start working together? Sounds like it would be great to have discussions before shot work begins. Is the budget a factor? Indie v big budget.

I love how Phil Popham suggests using music to create chaos, a mood, and especially using music to pace a montage.

The panelists all agree - Using a music theme to signify the character is home, looking back, or traveling - frees the film to create more artistic scenes! Genius.

Composer here listening from Nigeria.

Los Angeles in the Houze!

I went to commercial photography school at RMCAD, then Audio Production and Digital Filmmaking at LA Film, while taking story courses on my own time because I wanted to make well done Disney-type films and documentaries for my 501c3 nonprofit Inmate Zones. How would you work with people today when you are growing to do it all yourself when need be? It was a fear from hearing so many interview warnings from authors, actors, etc, about ownership and the importance of it but I know speed is also a key difference with writing room teams and productions. Thanks

Montage fan here as well :) - probably because of a dance/choreography background. I am curious to understand how a composer would work with the script and the filmmaker at the early stages where physical production has yet to start. Already learned a lot - thx all for sharing.

Hi I'm new to this. I am a singer/songwriter. Need to build a library of song ideas. How do I venture into getting music to scripts etc?

I have a question please: I have found a French Composer I am working well with, but his French Union will not allow him to relinquish his 'moral rights'. In reading all my work-for-hire contracts, All RIGHTS are given to the film maker/entity/property. I understand that this language is important if Studios or Streamers get involved later in the project. What is the path that is most often followed in this situation?

I love this webcast. Thank you Stage 32 :)) My question: How can filmmakers build long-term relationships with composers?

I would like to be a part of a group that creates music ideas for movies, or drama series or any opportunities so that I can learn.

I'm larning the various disciplines of filmmaking now, so this is very helpful. I'm actually going to the free library to learn music now...

For me music is like seasoning a well balanced and cooked meal for your guest. Understanding what you want and need is Key to make it POP!

@EmilieUpczak, you really opened my thinking about including music and sound to set a tone. As you can see you are sparking thought in others of us. We get to learn from your mistake by including this thought line at the beginning. International composures with similar geography? Wow! That's deep. @LaqueriaDavis I love this idea of linking the music to emotion and seeking those whose compositions resonate. Its never too late to add a composition? Nice to know its ok to bounce when upgrades become evident. Just when I'm getting it, now Dara is challenging that thought. How fun is this!!! @DaraTaylor your thought on allowing time reminds me of the Handel's Messiah. There was great conflict with his friend and writer who was mad that he put it out without giving it the time needed to produce excellence. Hard to image when the fame spread so fast without it. I like to work with people I enjoy life with but have been shifted by those i would not seek out. I am learning the value of working with a composer from listening to you. You sound like a meticulous editor. Outstanding! So pull Davis in at the beginning so you can lead the flow thru team? Finally Phil seals the point with that yucky word "budget". This definitely a presentation to have before launching a project to discover how blending works best. @PhilPopham your smile is contagious! We need compassion in all human interaction. Thanks for demonstrating it for us. Your actions prove your point. So Phil, are you saying an expert composer can exceed what AI can achieve, bolstering the case for protections for artistic legislation? All of you present in such a comfortable way, making nuanced content approachable. Thank you.

Hey, my name's Rod and I'm tuning in from J'ville, FL.. Nice to be here with everyone...

Do any of the speakers/commenters have courses, talks, webinar channels any learning material to add to our collection of learned resources? Any recommendations would be great. Out of everything, I'm obsessed with storytelling in all formats. Thanks

To add to Jackie's Question: How early in the production does a composer and filmmaker start working together?

I have a composer who is writing music for my script, but do they add the music AFTER the final edit?

I listened how Phil mentioned if you're a filmmaker, you almost want to go with an original score and co poser. But I'm in the middle of working on a comedy and i 've already figured out how I want the songs, and theme songs to go being that I'm working a hip-hop comedy. I envisioned certain artists that I want to work on this script with. But ultimately want them to be apart of this project -- Not saying this maybe the out come. But if one already envisioned the type of music or sound you have in mind for your script, do you still want to in that direction you're talking about with an original composer?

Dara, what was your inspiration behind the sounds of Iron heart?

Thank so much Ashley for posing our questions to the panel today. This is my first session as part of Stage 32. Thanks.

Ashley I missed what Phil said regarding the resources.

I like chatting with real composers. I also go to cemeteries to hang out with decomposers.

Are we still connected?

Incredible webcast! It's a must-watch! What stood out to me the most was when Phil talked about using the same score for something that shows up over and over, like a location, character, object, etc. Thanks again, everyone!

Resources mentioned in today's chat: The Stage 32 Composing Lounge: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/composing

The Stage 32 Filmmaking Lounge: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing

The Stage 32 Success Team: Success@Stage32.com

SAGindie: https://www.sagindie.org/

Hi, I'm Audrie from Toronto. I'm a producer and composer always open to meeting new people and collaborating with creators on all kinds of projects. This was my first webcast and looking forward to more in the future. Thank you for the webcast. It was very informative!