6. Understanding The Different Steps
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Working With A Composer
Composers, like many other artists, have their own systems and methods that work best for them. I know I like to start my work using several writing tools (paper and pencil, computer, instruments…) but this may not be the case for other individuals. Skipping what is personal and specific to each composer, there are still universal steps to make soundtracks that must be undertaken by all.
Preparation: At the beginning of every project, the discussion about which type of sounds needs to happen. Are we going towards acoustic or electronic (or both)? Small or large? Conventional or unconventional? From there, the composer will craft their own sounds or prepare their template that hopefully should not change much until the very end of the composition process.
Spotting: When the director, producers and everyone involved in the soundtrack gets together and discuss about the placement of the music, where each cue starts and ends. This step doesn’t happen every time, but is appreciated by composers.
Sketches: Once the sounds are clearly defined, the composer will try different options, find interesting combinations, create emotional balances and apply them to the project whatever its status (script, storyboard, rough cut or final cut). The composer will likely try different ideas for the same scene but only show their favorite, do not hesitate to ask if there might be more.
(Pre-recording): In case we are working on a hybrid sound between acoustic and electronic, it might be time to pre-record some material for the composer to continue sketching. This might very well be the only recording needed if the budget is limited and no ensembles are required. In case the soundtrack is electronic only, obviously recording sessions can be skipped, and if the soundtrack is acoustic only, the recording session towards the end of the process should be sufficient.
Submission: This is the first time you should be hearing any music if you have a trusting relationship with your composer. They will have filtered any unnecessary idea and will keep only their best for presentation to you and eventually the producers. From there, they might have to go back one, two or three steps, or hopefully move to the next step.
Approval: The approval of a cue should not be taken lightly, this is a crucial step in the initial agreement that defines whether we can move forward or not. It is better not to approve many versions for one scene until you get the perfect track rather than approving and having to un-approve them later. Once a track is approved, the composer will go full speed on its production, the purely creative process for that track is over.
Polishing: It should be a quick step and invisible to you, this is when the composer double-checks if everything if ready for recording, perfectly orchestrated, premixed and show-able to everyone after the director (and producers eventually). Give them a few days for this step and you should feel an obvious improvement in the approved tracks.
Recording: Step back and enjoy every minute, this is when the composer is having fun, let them be the master of the recording stage. It may be a good time to feed your social media and making-of bonuses with cool footage.
Music mix: Once again, you can be hands off at this stage, take care of color correction and other important non-music-related things of the filmmaking. The composer will hang out in the mixing studio with the music mixer creating a surround sound version of what exists. The music will not change, it is just getting ready to enter the sound mix stage.
(Mastering): If the music gets to be released as an album soundtrack, mastering will be needed. However, the film sound mixer will not need the music mastered. This final step might happen before the release of the film for promotional purposes, or later. In any case, it is just a technical step that can be handled by the composer and their mastering engineer.
Comments, suggestions, experiences you had with composers, and consequent advice for others are encouraged.
This blog will be updated with new experiences and illustrations as they occur.