What does a Composer (Film) do?
If a few screechy violin chords conjure images of a knife, a shower, and a murder, you've experienced the power of a film composer. Bernard Herrmann's 1960 score to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is one of the most famous in movie history and a striking example of the film composer's job: to mirror and heighten action unfolding on screen using the potent language of music.
Although many film scores are orchestral works rooted in Western classical music, increasingly they are influenced by rock, jazz, folk, blues, world, and electronic music, and use their stylistic palette to illustrate the time period and location in which the film is set; the emotional, psychological, and cinematic mood the director wants to create; and the nuances of story and character playing out on screen.
The ability to engage in an exchange of ideas is vital for a film composer, as is the humility to ultimately defer and adapt to a director's vision.
At a Glance
In the world of stand-alone composers, education is highly valued and careers start late. Not so for today's film composers, who don't necessarily need advanced degrees and often start working professionally shortly after graduating from a conservatory or college. Early in their careers, most film composers try to work on as many projects as possible, stringing together small and low-budget composing opportunities into a larger, upward-trending trajectory. It's a small group of impressively talented, unbelievably hardworking, and enormously lucky composers who manage to make the leap to regularly composing for big-budget films and studios.
Aspiring film composers should make a point of getting whatever experience they can: working on a student or lower-budget film, for instance, or writing their own score for an already existing film. The ultimate goal is to create a reel that demonstrates an ability to compose cues in a wide range of emotional tones and musical styles. While all work is good work for beginning film composers, they should also carefully consider how to get their name out there; often, this means composing for films that are likely to circulate at festivals. Finally, film composers should be sure to network as a matter of course. Sometimes, getting a "big break" is all about connecting with the right people at the right time.
- Compositional flexibility
- Reading and writing music
- Arranging and orchestration
- Music theory
- Instrumental performance
- Conducting
- Collaboration
- Filmmaking
Film and television production are inherently collaborative, director-driven, and producer-driven art forms. Unlike concert composers who answer primarily to their own artistic vision, media composers must align their work with the needs of a larger creative team. The role demands emotional intelligence, active listening, diplomacy, and resilience.
Film and television composers are generally independent contractors operating from custom-built home studios, commercial production facilities, or hybrid remote workspaces. The profession is known for extreme cycles of activity. While early planning stages may proceed gradually, writing and production phases often require long hours, intense concentration, and rapid problem-solving to meet immovable delivery deadlines.
