Challenge: Create your own score to accompany three currently scoreless films using original music, samples and sound effects, computer generated or live instrumentals or a complete orchestration for symphony.  

Thanks to Peter Kaldor for sending over some tips for film scoring so that you can make the most of your Score It! entry this year.  These tips are some very broad principles that Peter try to apply when writing film music:

1. What is the mood of the film sequence: how does it make me feel? There may, of course be more than one mood – e.g. a scene that is whimsical may contain a range of other emotions, such as happy, jolly, a bit sad and poignant, etc.

2. In order to clarify what works in terms of mood, I will often try using ‘reference tracks’ (i.e. any kind of borrowed music e.g. from my own music library, from other films) to listen to alongside the film, as a way of temporarily generating ideas. 

Reference tracks can also help to clarify the context of a film (e.g is it contemporary, or historical?), and can often surprise me, by showing dramatic possibilities that I might not have considered.

3. After listening to (and then setting aside) some reference tracks, I might consider musical elements, such as:

• - tempo: should it be predominantly uptempo, or more reflective?
• - tonality: is it more major-key and bright, or perhaps minor-key and darker? Or do I want the tonality to be more mysterious and less defined?
• - instrumentation: would orchestral instruments work best? Or a simple piano? Or pop-instrumentation such as drumloops and guitars?

4. At some point, I will need to consider the technological side of my soundtrack: how will I manage the arrangement, performance and recording of my musical ideas, and how will I incorporate them with the vision and sound of the film? 

For teaching purposes, technology will vary from one educational setting to another, so there is no single rule. Some schools are equipped with computer programs (e.g. Garage Band) which will offer simple solutions for all of the stages of technology – however, the simpler the computer-based solution, the greater likelihood of repetitive sameness.

5. Finally, I try to trust my intuition. If a melody comes into my head, I’ll try to develop it without questioning it. If I’m stuck for ideas, I can always repeat the first three steps – but an intuitive idea will often be rich with possibilities and inspiration. The other final thought is that simple ideas can often be very effective.

Thanks Peter!  

Good luck with your entries.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment in our Posterous blog post.

About Score It!

Score It! Is a Queensland wide online showcase and competition for young people between 12 and 18.  Short listed finalists have the opportunity to spend a day at Cutting Edge Studios and observing industry in action and the winning finalist will be awarded at the Awards night at Griffith Film School during the Festival.

Score It! is a fantastic opportunity for young people aged 12 to 18 .  For more info about the comp, click here.