Learn how Catherine Hardwicke works to create stunning aural worlds by blending compositions, tracks, and sound design.
Key Insights


  • Sound makes or breaks your film - take the time and allocate resources to make sure it is as good as possible the first time 
  • When thinking about score, consider playing “against type” to increase impact
  • Develop a trusting relationship with your composer and allow them to go through their process of experimentation and development
  • Understand the limitations of temp music. Do not get married to temp tracks as this will only limit you and your composer in the end.
  • Although difficult to achieve, try to bring on your composer on before you start shooting 
  • Know the role of music in your film and how it impacts the lives of your characters, then pursue accordingly
  • Be creative - sourcing music can be done in many lo-fi, low-budget ways 
  • The sound design of your film builds the world just as much as the score - find the symbiotic relationship between the two and don’t cut corners
  • Additional Dialogue Recording (ADR) is very challenging for actors. Make sure your location sound mixer knows what they are going in order to save you time and expense in post-production
Catherine Hardwicke
Director
Catherine Hardwicke's first film as a director was the critically-acclaimed THIRTEEN, which won the Director's Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, and awards at numerous international film festivals. She has since become best known as the director of TWILIGHT, which launched the worldwide blockbuster franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA. Hardwicke previously worked as a Production Designer on films directed by Richard Linklater, David O. Russell, Cameron Crowe, and Lisa Cholodenko. Recently Hardwicke has directed television episodes for AMC and pilots for CBS, MTV and USA, all of which went to series. more...
Tags:AudioFeature FilmsProducing

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