Learn how to capture the DNA of a film through melody and sound

Key Insights

Crafting the perfect melody is as much about having a strong point of view as it is understanding the psychology of your audience.
A good melody establishes a sense of place, time in history, pacing of the film, and general mood - bringing your audience into the story.
A composer's role is to support the film through setting the tone and creating a framework for the viewer's journey.
Take time and space to contemplate the world you want to create musically in a film. Meditating and taking a walk are great exercises to incorporate into your workflow so that you can formulate your approach.
To nurture your ideas try sketching, referring to other music that inspires you, and working with an instrument to explore themes. This will lay the foundation for building a body of sound that feels "of the world".
Connecting with the director early on to gather intel on their motivations for the film is a crucial step in the process - their perspective will ultimately inform your choices as a composer.
The best music scores tell the story through the melody. It immediately elicits the right emotion.
Don't be afraid to make the viewer feel. Make choices that reflect your point of view and opens doors to further discourse outside of the film.

Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum

Composer

Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum is a Grammy Award-winning Juilliard-trained composer (born in New York City). more...

Tags:Sound & Image

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