[Fmpro] Composer's sidelife out of film

[Job M. van Zuijlen]

If composers feel inclined to do many different things that's up to them.  I 
strongly believe that film music is in its own league, although I don't hear 
many examples of it in current movies; the music is tolerable at best.   I 
have serious reservations about replacing film music with songs for 
commercial reasons with complete disregard whether it fits into the story or 
not.  (A recent exception being "Once", where the songs had a function in 
the narrative.)

The idea of "extra points" reminds me a bit of the advise to add 
extracurricular activities or involvements on your resume to indicate what a 
good person you are.  It will become just a popularity contest, putting yet 
an another burden on composers.  It also depends on your personality.  Maybe 
you like to be busy all the time, jumping from project to project, never 
having time to reflect.

Doing many different things may help the composer to be better known for 
sure, but I don't see a necessary benefit for the film maker, unless they 
need to be reassured and are not able to judge the music you provide on its 
own merit.  But would I want to work with "tone-deaf" people?

In the past, I have done other projects that involved music, such as music 
for dance and art shows.  I am interested in the interplay between music and 
and other art forms and for this reason got involved in such projects.  So I 
am not necessary against variety, but there is no reason to kill yourself.

After twenty-one years in the corporate world I'm quite happy being at home 
behind my computer screen.  Now this may affect the quality of my music, I 
don't know.  In time, I do plan do seek out other artists for collaborative 
projects.

As I'm not located in LA or New York, it's kind of a moot point for me, as 
it is unlikely I will be involved in films originating from those locations.

Job van Zuijlen

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From: "Marinho Nobre" <marinho at manommg.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 09:10
To: <fmpro at nxport.com>
Subject: [Fmpro]  Composer's sidelife out of film

> I've been hearing for quite sometime from agents to directors
> and producers, that film composers who pursue paralel activities
> in music (if there is even time...) do get an extra point on their favor
> when it comes to getting commissioned to score a film.
>
> Composers who can also write songs, then those who write
> concert classical music, those who have their own musical act
> and the ones who write and arrage music for Opera and Broadway
> shows, and teaching music at credible schools just to name a few...
>
> I would definitely imagine they would become more of an
> atractive asset to filmmakers, rather than say, the guy who
> just sits at his computer workstation...
>
> Any Thoughts ? Any other side activities I didn't list ?
> Would this be a good stepping stone for film composers
> to reach out and  match the increasing success songwriters
> are having with their placements on film ? Or just the greatest
> formula ever to make the best use of downtime ? (or both !)
>
> I do find this truly interesting and say... Broader...
>
>
> Marinho Nobre
> Music for Motion Picture
> score at marinhonobre.com
> Voice 347-424-4985
> http://www.marinhonobre.com
> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1971862/
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