tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6692466283443832122024-03-08T03:40:55.969-08:00Journey to Film MusicTaking a journey, pursuing a pipe dream. Writing my transcriptions, reading about the process, and reviewing the latest films!Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-58500450031057125052015-01-01T09:05:00.003-08:002015-01-01T09:05:53.272-08:00Unbroken
Hello readers!
As 2014 closed, I went to see the film "Unbroken", with a score by Alexandre Desplat....
A well-done score for this dramatic film; almost immediately I was pulled into the storyline - a few vocals and deep bass opened 'Unbroken' with a WWII backdrop - and Desplat did a nice job of letting the story tell itself, with places significant in their use of no backgroundSallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-58043012162507145162014-12-20T15:01:00.002-08:002014-12-20T15:01:12.871-08:00Per reader request!
Hi readers,
Having taken a listen to the 'Dead Man' score as well as 'The Long Riders' and Agents of Shield TV score, here are my thoughts ... note: I have not actually seen these films, only heard the music.
Dead Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAgwoEUGgro
The score is as much a musical journey as the film is an existential one. Word of warning: you must appreciate electric guitar....aSallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-36431698969031695572014-12-12T17:02:00.001-08:002014-12-12T17:02:28.354-08:00Upcoming Reviews
Readers,
I must see the following:
Unbroken
The Imitation Game
The Theory of Everything
Yes, they're dramas, but let's face it - the best stories tend to generate the best music! Consider Gravity and Steven Price for instance. Or Forrest Gump and Alan Silvestri. Or a host of others.
Today I am perusing more soundtracks in search of the best music - I'm mostly caught up. Mostly. You can Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-83088892854050743522014-11-29T12:28:00.001-08:002014-11-29T12:28:11.500-08:00Revamp - Nov 2014
Ahoy hoy readers -
A brief apology for being out this long ... sometimes not writing makes you feel like you've really dropped the ball, you know?
Recently, I had the opportunity to address my dream of film music again, revisit the posts here, make some deletes and edits. Technology - and life - changes so fast. Current scenario: my best format is still pencil, paper, and playing piano. I am Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-41867224685216994482013-02-04T12:57:00.000-08:002014-11-29T12:20:41.071-08:00Advanced transcriptions
Hi readers,
I've been slowly working on some new songs - one that very recently just
"flowed" like few others have. Don't what the title will be.
Meantime - I am REALLY going to try finishing up my list of transcription projects; some
of these are just downright intimidating. They may or may not be written on Finale:
Ben-Hur - Prelude, Love Theme, Parade of the Charioteers
Magnificent 7
Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-54319005189642273942012-08-07T10:17:00.000-07:002014-11-29T12:19:32.801-08:00August 2012Hello readers,
Back after almost 4 months! While admittedly I don't have a song for every week as hoped, I'm happy to report several songs that will be incorporated into some kind of short musical...
Meanwhile, summer has been occupied with a few house projects like painting and French doors, as well as playing piano for a 2 week theatre camp of Godspell - with the start of school my resolve isSallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-24966550020971478692012-04-12T08:38:00.001-07:002014-11-29T12:18:52.955-08:00Two new websitesHello readers,
Just sharing two tidbits! The first is a neat website that streams film music - including video
game and TV composers - right to your computer, and uses a wide option of music players
(Mac users, rejoice!). http://www.streamingsoundtracks.com/ -- it's amazing how many composers
and pieces you NEVER hear about, save for sites like this!
Other website is my own, created on Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-45357145608956681862012-03-08T07:30:00.000-08:002014-11-29T12:18:25.876-08:00Transcribing and songsHi readers,
Well - the list of songs for transcriptions has been whittled down quite a bit, and I'm excited about the newer projects in particular. Also - a couple songs are still in the works, but have taken a break for a bit of house remodelling....which of course never goes as one plans....
So far the original song tally stands as follows:
Where the Road Leads
[No title] - almost Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-49202482762430262802012-02-11T09:24:00.000-08:002014-11-29T12:17:48.851-08:00Cold weather = more songs...Hi readers,
Well, it seems winter is in fact making an appearance, meaning it's time to
make good use of time, keep writing songs and music....indoor days!
So far written about 2 more songs after Where the Road Leads; one being a silly
Cat Song that depicts Georgie, my cat, when she's none too happy. The other is in
a more serious vein, but have struggled with lyrics; and as such I haven't Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-17724130902378459892012-01-26T10:25:00.000-08:002014-11-29T12:22:51.167-08:00Two useful linksGreetings -
Two websites you'll find very useful (in addition to the usual wikis and imdbs) - one suggested by a
friend, it's http://www.screenarchives.com/ and the other is http://www.filmtracks.com/
The filmtracks offers some reviews - I'm in agreement with their critique of Zimmer's latest
score, Sherlock Holmes 2. Really, Zimmer and his team have so much at their disposal, but they
don't Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-51738755792402346592011-02-19T06:24:00.000-08:002011-02-19T06:26:19.870-08:00Finally writing, in spite of a setbackHello readers,
The funds for the Mac are slower than I thought due to some unexpected expenses :(
Nevertheless, I trudge onward! Got myself 2 new soundtracks:
The Bourne Supremacy [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]
The Dark Knight - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The pieces I'm finally now writing are derived from a Broadway style---my first being
"Sumthin Else" (jazz flavor)Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-71154958099245382862011-01-30T17:54:00.000-08:002014-11-29T12:14:56.059-08:00A new book or two - and the Mac Mini : )Finally, dear readers, the Mac Mini is materializing....
First off, I did get a new book or two (slowly whittling down the list) - and am reading
the Schonberg book on the great composers!
Will be looking soon at getting a Mac Mini - I am setting aside funds and my
goal is to have one by the end of Feb or beginning of March!
Meanwhile, snow is piling up....again. This winter is trumping the Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-54534397669337202532010-12-04T15:23:00.000-08:002010-12-04T15:23:56.317-08:00Mancini, etc.Hello readers!
Took a short break for Thanksgiving (sorry!) and am now back on track :) Recently finished "Did They Mention the Music?" the autobio of Henry Mancini - wonderful read and highly recommend. What a remarkable composer and musician! Mancini's music ranks among many great names. The song "Moon River" is just one example of this gifted man.
So - sadly it's performance season with the Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-62151412486976113722010-09-28T17:29:00.000-07:002010-09-28T17:29:56.939-07:00ASCAP and a songGreetings readers!
First off, I just applied for ASCAP membership online :) One-time fee of $35 is well-worth it, esp. as a writer! For the record, the Singing Sextet is the name of a group that sang The Lord's Prayer as arranged by
myself. More to come!
Second, some musical motifs are being organized into longer works. This is really a task, and my Composition for Idiots guide does Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-36773147194546112072010-09-20T17:56:00.000-07:002014-11-29T12:22:22.467-08:00Short update!Erich Wolfgang Korngold (20th-Century Composers)
Hello readers,
Now there's a 16G ipod nano, 5th generation to boot....
Finished Richard Rodgers autobiography, and am now reading Korngold (see above link).
Watched a bit of Marx bros. bio film on Netflix -- I do have Netflix. What a joy to an aspiring film composer!
Still on the broadway path right now (esp Gershwin), and have started Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-46356425102605728372010-07-26T07:16:00.000-07:002010-07-26T07:16:23.162-07:00Book List - BriefThought I'd share some books that I've gotten so far - and read - that are worth the bang from your hard-earned dollars! Won't bother to review all here, but you've gotta trust me - they're worth it if you're serious about the biz.
The Reel World: Scoring for Pictures by Jeff Rona (link and image not working....it is on amazon.com)
Inside Film Music: Composers Speak by Christian Jardins
Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-50951996635501422742010-07-25T18:34:00.000-07:002010-07-25T19:14:24.669-07:00Some good advice : )Hello again :)Some good advice from a recent link on ASCAP ~ http://wecreatemusic.ascap.com/expo/Ron Jones has some very timely, great tips on the composing process and being a success or "success" if you like ;) I'd like to be a member of ASCAP and start networking a bit here in the midwest.Some progress on researching computers, gear, and IDEAS. Remember, if you don't have the gear yet, WRITE Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-669246628344383212.post-77149838451062973432010-07-20T06:14:00.000-07:002010-07-20T06:28:27.469-07:00Somewhere at the beginning.....So I'll try to update this thing when I can....right now I have a lot of free time, but don't want to spend hours blogging, you know? But maybe you find yourself in my shoes, wanting to pursue your pipe dream and finally having the courage....and to some extent, money....to do it!First, some history. I'm a pianist by day (got my master's in it), but an aspiring film composer by night. I've alwaysSallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407983180201790496noreply@blogger.com0