How Film Composers Work

The responsibilities of a film composer vary, depending on the project -- and every film composer has a different style. Basically, a film composer scores music to accompany a film. This could be a dramatic orchestral underscore, or it could rely on some other style of songwriting and a smaller ensemble of musicians. The film music composer:

[sources: Berklee College of Music and Associated Content]­ ­­

Particularly on smaller or independent films, the movie composer may also:

However, some of these responsibilities may be divided up among others working on the film, such as:

The music editor, who mixes and synchronizes the music with the film soundtrack. The music editor often also oversees the scoring process.

The orchestrator, who writes the scores for the orchestra, band, chorus and solo instrumentalists or vocalists. The orchestrator may also transpose music for the group and conduct the musicians during scoring sessions.

The contractor, who hires the musicians and deals with union contract obligations through the American Federation of Musicians.

The film arranger, who uses the composer's work and instructions to create a score for the musicians, if the composer has not already done so.

The film conductor, who rehearses the musicians and conducts them during the film scoring session. He listens to input from the composer and producer during the session and has the musicians make changes.

The assistant to the composer, an entry-level position for someone who handles details for the composer so that he can focus on composing.

The sound designer, who creates synthesized music and sound effects to go with the musical score.

[source: Berklee College of Music]

Keep reading to learn what it's like to work as a film composer.

In the days when the major studios ruled Hollywood, working as a film composer meant working as a studio employee. Film composers were expected to be able to work in a variety of styles and had months to complete the score for a film. In fact, the film music composer often didn't even enter the filmmaking process until an edited first cut of the film was available.

Today, most movie music composers work as independents -- and have far less time to complete a score, often two months or less to produce and record an hour of music. Digital technology and temp tracks allow filming, editing and music composition to overlap.

Technology helps on the composing side, too. Electronic systems have, for example, eliminated the need for a composer to do musical notation by hand or to copy out each instrument's part from the complete score. But, as in other industries, labor-saving technology has increased demands for speedier work turn-around.

Film composers have to be creative and practical artists, solid musicians who also are adept with music and audio mixing technology. Film composer Cody Westheimer has a studio in a Los Angeles guesthouse. Here's the set-up he works with:

[source: Hitsquad Musician Network]  

The number of film composers far outnumbers the number of film scoring jobs. So out on their own, movie music composers also have to be masters of other skills, such as business and marketing. For indie composer Robert Toteras, that means spending only 50 percent of his time on music ­­and the rest on hustling up work. The most important things in his business, he says, are the Internet and lists of new and old clients [source: FilmIndependent.org].

Moving up through the film industry takes time and contacts and flexibility. Along the way, that may mean pursuing jobs other than feature films. Westheimer, for example, has scored video games, university educational programs, commercials, short films, film trailers and documentaries. He started with student films at the University of Southern California.

Does film composing sound like a career you'd like to pursue? Keep reading to find out how to get started.

If you're thinking of becoming a film composer, you probably love movies and are a talented musician who enjoys composing. And based on responses of 12 film composers to a Variety magazine question, you've probably felt that way for a long time. Most film music composers describe themselves as writing music and being inspired by a movie before they reached high school [source: Variety].

But, as you may suspect, there's no specific way to become a movie composer. Well-known, award-winning movie music composers have taken different paths in building their careers. For example:

If you plan to follow their examples, here are a few tips that may help you with a career as a film composer:

Get a degree in music or a related entertainment field. Going to a school with a film program, like University of Southern California or New York University, or a music school that offers a film scoring major, like Berklee, can help you learn about the film industry and the technical aspects of composing -- and help you connect with student directors for immediate film projects and future contacts.

Work on different types of films. The rare film composer starts on feature films. You'll probably start with commercials, student films, trailers and other smaller projects. Varied types of films and varied musical styles make for a broader portfolio to appeal to directors and producers.

Make connections with directors and others in the film industry who may be able to offer you work or know someone who can. Building relationships with directors is particularly important because they often will collaborate with a single composer for many of their films.

Build a strong portfolio that demonstrates what you can do. Directors and producers are unlikely to listen to more than 20 minutes of sample work, so you may want to create themed demo CDs of your work. You'll be able to send different ones, depending on the type of music that is wanted. But remember that directors and producers are more likely to be interested in your film credits than your music.

Go where the jobs are. Although the Internet makes long-distance work relationships possible, most film composers need to be in the same location as the directors and editors they work with. Most of the jobs are in southern California or New York.

Finally, be persistent if this is the career you want. With talent, education, contacts and some luck, you could wind up composing one of those movie themes that lingers long after the closing credits fade.

For lots more information about film composers and related topics, see the links on the next page.