Interesting short film scoring opportunity

[Quadrophonic73]

Hi,

I've never done music outside of my own indie rock singer/songwriter stuff but I was just offered a small job on the basis of my music and recordings. Basically, it is for a film shootout where the filmmakers are given a line of dialogue, a genre, a prop, and 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a 3 minute film (a Friday to Sunday thing). I think 33 films are competing at three minutes each.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone has done something short and sweet like this under the gun before. I'm planning on keeping that whole weekend open since this is my first opportunity of this kind and I want to make a good impression (and win!).

Any advice is appreciated. I did read the other threads that I saw about film scoring - this just seems a little unique.

-Alex

[georgia]

actually sounds kinda fun.... good luck. if you get in the thick of it and need specific advice you picked the right place. Also feel free to email me or call with any specific question.

cheers
geo

[jahtao]

Done one of these. Everyone did their bit and then director MASSIVELY went and mismanaged our time - he wanted to shoot the first scene last, and never quite got round to it! He was more than happy to re-position pot plants and lamps in the background and stand around chatting and get 10 takes of a man walking down a corridor tho'. He totally blew it. Everything else was passable - it should have been fun!

The next day I wished I had been that pr*ck who shouted "HURRY THE **** UP!!!!" at everyone.

So there you go : )

[dsteinwedel]

I've done one of these before, it was quite fun.

If you're doing music, show up at the beginning. Learn what the line is. Sit in as the director and his/her crew write and discuss the plan of action. Then go write some music.

Reconvene after they've shot. If you can, work in the same room as the editor. Let them pass cuts to you, conform your score as quickly as possible, and pass it back. You'll most likely be doing this the last 6-12 hours and through the wee hours of the morning so be ready for a long night.

--Dave

[Scoopicman]

I've done a couple of these contests and the length was up to 7 minutes, plus credits. Perhaps, your producer settled on making it 3 minutes, though. According to the rules, you can use pre-scored music. What I suggest, is that you work up a main theme, now. When you get the genre - horror, sci-fi, comedy, spy, etc., you can tailor in some of the genre styles, when you start on Friday. Then, you have until Sunday morning to do some variations on the theme.

If you do pre-score, you can change a harmonic song to sound dissonant, or vice versa (Comedy to Horror) by changing major chords to minor chords, or by changing the type of instrument playing the part.

Something else I've done, is made up some free standing pads, stabs, etc. that can be worked into the editing, such as the audio that can accompany quick actions, like someone getting hit in the face, falling, etc. The editor can take these short bits and put them where s/he wants.

Hopefully, you guys don't draw "Musical!"

I'm just throwing ideas out, so go with what you are comfortable with.

[Rick Sanchez]

Sounds kind of like a typical post schedule today.

I'd get a script as soon as possible and tell them to keep you up to the minute with changes. Discuss the overall mood the director is trying to achieve and stay in touch with the picture editor and if there is one, the sound editor the whole way through. Have fun with it.

[Quadrophonic73]

Hey everyone, thanks a bunch for the advice. I've already started working on a couple themes, somewhat somber sounding. I'll post any updates I get in this thread. I'm looking forward to the work.

-Alex

[Quadrophonic73]

To sum up what happened: They had a choice between drama or musical, and (drum roll, Scoopicman) they picked musical! Kind of put the onus on me with that one... but I was excited for the challenge. In the end I wrote and recorded two original songs (about a minute each) for them and added some tambourine and acoustic guitar to another track they produced (it was an intentionally lo-fi track).

The film was completed and was submitted with 32 other films made in 2 days - and we didn't win anything. I'm OK with that but I can understand why the other guys are bummed. Still, I think it was cool to work with people who were willing to take a gamble doing their first musical the first time they worked with a musician (I'm going to take the positive view of that decision...). I was extremely gratified by working with this particular group of filmmakers because each member of their team contacted me privately and said how happy they were with the music and working with me in general. I'm now going to score another film for one of the people involved and I'm very excited to be doing so, especially since there will be plenty of time for edits and drafts on everyone's part. I'm also glad to be writing more organic material for the next score instead of purely plot-driving program music.

Thanks to all of you for the input - it certainly put my head in the right place to begin begin working with other people when most of what I do musically is a one man show. I'm so glad I found these forums!

I'll post up a Youtube link of the final product when I get the OK from the team - they are saving the internet debut to coincide with another release I think. It would be great to get some suggestions from anyone who cares to listen to final product when it's up - keeping in mind of course they ended up editing my first draft of both songs into the final product! Time management is a wonderful thing.

Again - thanks!

-Alex

[georgia]

Sometimes its just fun to play. and to learn.

I had 5 days to create a music video for Carly Simon's "You're so vain" song. we spent $350 and made it just for fun. I've never dir/shot a music video before and since Carly almost had a girl friend once we went down the darak side. we had fun, got stupid, and got zero sleep due to the deadline. The entire production and post team consisted of me, Peter, Jon and my intern. Lots of fun, zero budget, a gazillion favors, and zero sleep...

its on my web site if you want to watch... Hilton Media Management (video pull down tab. music video)


glad to hear you had fun and learned something!!!

cheers
geo

[Scoopicman]

Originally Posted by Quadrophonic73

To sum up what happened: They had a choice between drama or musical, and (drum roll, Scoopicman) they picked musical!

Too funny! I'm glad to hear that you got through it. Ironically, I just finished helping a team, this past weekend. We drew "Drama".