I joined twitter yesterday. And now I'm blogging about it. Maybe I should post this blogpost on facebook about having joined twitter.
And you can like it, and I can like your like that you like it.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this, but the urge to be nothing but a smart ass is overwhelming. I intend to rein it in, though. I went with the twitter handle @josephcomposer since all the other ones were taken.
Okay, back to work on the orchestration task at hand.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
ASCAP I Create Music Expo 2013
It is year 3 of the Expo, and it honestly took me a while to get in to it. I did meet some really cool people, and ran into some old friends.
It was just a whirlwind of inspiration, desperate frenetic craziness and a combination of hot messes and ridiculous talent, people who need to consider new careers, and people who will be on the national stage any second.
I feel that I learned a lot, both about myself and the industry. But as inspiring as it was, I have to say that I often feel that kind of inspiration. Especially lately. And I'm not sure if my experience was either tamped down overall, or if my threshold for inspiration has been raised to a more consistent level.
Now it is Monday. Now what?
I need to go through the business cards, the receipts, my brain, and figure out what is what. After an exhausting frenzy of energy, what is the takeaway? I'll tell you when I figure it out. I'm still riding the high.
I do have a three minute orchestra piece to compose, orchestrate and copy by the end of the week, so it there is little time for rest. More on that opportunity later.
It was just a whirlwind of inspiration, desperate frenetic craziness and a combination of hot messes and ridiculous talent, people who need to consider new careers, and people who will be on the national stage any second.
I feel that I learned a lot, both about myself and the industry. But as inspiring as it was, I have to say that I often feel that kind of inspiration. Especially lately. And I'm not sure if my experience was either tamped down overall, or if my threshold for inspiration has been raised to a more consistent level.
Now it is Monday. Now what?
I need to go through the business cards, the receipts, my brain, and figure out what is what. After an exhausting frenzy of energy, what is the takeaway? I'll tell you when I figure it out. I'm still riding the high.
I do have a three minute orchestra piece to compose, orchestrate and copy by the end of the week, so it there is little time for rest. More on that opportunity later.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
New webseries: Emo Dad
I am very excited to announce the new Fine Bros webseries Emo Dad is now live. It was very exciting to work with Benny and Rafi again, and I had a great time composing the score for them. One of the other exciting things about the score is it features live players.
I have restrictions on how much I can say about them, as they are union members and therefore only do union work. So their time and talent contributions to this project must be done so anonymously. I am dying to make a video though, so I'll have to figure out a creative way to make them a part of it.
I have restrictions on how much I can say about them, as they are union members and therefore only do union work. So their time and talent contributions to this project must be done so anonymously. I am dying to make a video though, so I'll have to figure out a creative way to make them a part of it.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
A Week In The Life
Yesterday had a dilemma like Monday in spades
pushing pulling with weapons and fists of the flame
courage was needed but strength pulled us through it again
why don't leave me so you can come back home at ten
Tuesday and Wednesday fell silent more aimless than me
watching the dark shadows grow and letting it be
sitting in winter as bitter tears fall in their hands
if you had a moment to spare then we wouldn't be sad
Thursday was tough and she fought for every last breath
after she forcibly beat six o'clock half to death
casual tension that just pulled us through at the end
gristle and severity choke on the tears of a friend
Friday played you wrong and left you feeling low
he raped you with alacrity and then just let you go
never regretting the time left was hardly enough
laughed in your face and then stripped you of all of your stuff
Saturday started too late and then ended at three
gloried your smile and gilded your lilies with rain
nothing but sunsets and horrible blue skies would do
pushing your face to the glass as she smashes it through
Sunday only hung around for a couple of hours
flirting in sunlight and braids, and stained purple flowers
she tried to observe it but misery failed the attempt
my heart once was open and empty now filled contempt
-JMC
pushing pulling with weapons and fists of the flame
courage was needed but strength pulled us through it again
why don't leave me so you can come back home at ten
Tuesday and Wednesday fell silent more aimless than me
watching the dark shadows grow and letting it be
sitting in winter as bitter tears fall in their hands
if you had a moment to spare then we wouldn't be sad
Thursday was tough and she fought for every last breath
after she forcibly beat six o'clock half to death
casual tension that just pulled us through at the end
gristle and severity choke on the tears of a friend
Friday played you wrong and left you feeling low
he raped you with alacrity and then just let you go
never regretting the time left was hardly enough
laughed in your face and then stripped you of all of your stuff
Saturday started too late and then ended at three
gloried your smile and gilded your lilies with rain
nothing but sunsets and horrible blue skies would do
pushing your face to the glass as she smashes it through
Sunday only hung around for a couple of hours
flirting in sunlight and braids, and stained purple flowers
she tried to observe it but misery failed the attempt
my heart once was open and empty now filled contempt
-JMC
Friday, October 12, 2012
Jessica's Journey, Retitled Closer To God: Jessica's Journey, Now Available
I am excited to announce the feature film Jessica's Journey, now retitled as Closer To God: Jessica's Journey, is available for purchase Walmart. I believe they are even responsible for distribution, which is interesting.
I really enjoyed scoring this film, and I feel like I learned a lot. It is the fastest I have ever composed/orchestrated. Six minutes per day, which is unheard of for me. There wasn't much music requested for this film, and I only had about a week to make it all come together, but I was able to come through, and the filmmakers were happy with my work.
The score is mostly piano, harp and strings. There are some light winds and percussion. One of the biggest discoveries sample-wise was the use of the Spitfire harp. Spitfire is a sample company from the UK, and this harp is one of the most detailed instruments I have used. Its lower strings are a little quiet for my personal taste. I typically prefer more body in the lower notes (love to clang on those lower strings!), however the emotional quality of it is something I am hard pressed to find elsewhere.
The film's subject matter became deeply personal to me, since a week after completing the project, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. That is a whole separate topic, but I feel important to mention in passing despite the fact I intend to keep this blog to music-related topics only.
The cancer of the protagonist is never identified, and her symptoms are somewhat nebulous, as is the Christian denomination the family gravitates toward to deal with their grief. Although I am not religious, I do recognize how people in a time of duress can find comfort, or an avenue to seek answers through religion. I feel that time is usually the greatest enemy and
Visit the official website: JessicasJourneyFilm.com
Buy the film at Walmart.
Buy the soundtrack on iTunes.
I really enjoyed scoring this film, and I feel like I learned a lot. It is the fastest I have ever composed/orchestrated. Six minutes per day, which is unheard of for me. There wasn't much music requested for this film, and I only had about a week to make it all come together, but I was able to come through, and the filmmakers were happy with my work.
The score is mostly piano, harp and strings. There are some light winds and percussion. One of the biggest discoveries sample-wise was the use of the Spitfire harp. Spitfire is a sample company from the UK, and this harp is one of the most detailed instruments I have used. Its lower strings are a little quiet for my personal taste. I typically prefer more body in the lower notes (love to clang on those lower strings!), however the emotional quality of it is something I am hard pressed to find elsewhere.
The film's subject matter became deeply personal to me, since a week after completing the project, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. That is a whole separate topic, but I feel important to mention in passing despite the fact I intend to keep this blog to music-related topics only.
The cancer of the protagonist is never identified, and her symptoms are somewhat nebulous, as is the Christian denomination the family gravitates toward to deal with their grief. Although I am not religious, I do recognize how people in a time of duress can find comfort, or an avenue to seek answers through religion. I feel that time is usually the greatest enemy and
Visit the official website: JessicasJourneyFilm.com
Buy the film at Walmart.
Buy the soundtrack on iTunes.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Soundtrack to Jessica's Journey: Now Available
I'm so excited that the soundtrack for Jessica's Journey is now available on iTunes!
I plan to do a vlog about it soon, but for now, click here to preview tracks and download the album.
I plan to do a vlog about it soon, but for now, click here to preview tracks and download the album.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Choir Module
I hesitate to call this a full on module, but I did three short videos discussing how I create a live choir by overdubbing myself:
Setting Up:
Recording Individual Voices:
EQ, Pan and Final Mix
I'd like to do more choir work, but could really use the help of a lyricist or poet. Enjoy!
Setting Up:
Recording Individual Voices:
EQ, Pan and Final Mix
I'd like to do more choir work, but could really use the help of a lyricist or poet. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
New Piece for Concert Band: Over The Edge
After a long gestation period, my new piece for concert band is done. I did a short video about it prior to leaving on my week-long vacation, wherein I also show and demonstrate my new iPhone mic, MiC by Apogee. I'm still getting situated after the trip, though. It was quite a weekend. We got home from the airport at midnight and had to be at work the next morning.
Incidentally, something that has come up again and again is the need for a kind of autonomy. It is nerve racking to think of that sort of liberation, but it's the kind of thing that just has to happen and soon. So I'm aggressively trying to line things up to make possible. More to come on that...
Incidentally, something that has come up again and again is the need for a kind of autonomy. It is nerve racking to think of that sort of liberation, but it's the kind of thing that just has to happen and soon. So I'm aggressively trying to line things up to make possible. More to come on that...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Sundance Composer's Lab Recap
I had the good fortune to attend the Sundance Composer's Lab and I learned a few new things, and heard a lot of old things again. It's like there is a certain theme that occurs throughout a learning process. And once you hear it, you hear it everywhere. Like the number 23, or something.
So I have a lot to learn, and a lot to still figure out for myself. Good things are coming as long as one can persevere. I mentioned luck being a big factor in discovery, but by the logic of "preparation meets opportunity," that says to me that we make our own luck.
So I have a lot to learn, and a lot to still figure out for myself. Good things are coming as long as one can persevere. I mentioned luck being a big factor in discovery, but by the logic of "preparation meets opportunity," that says to me that we make our own luck.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
New Website Store
I have been trying to figure out a better way to get my music out there, and the first step is having it available for performance. There are so many steps in the role of a copyist, and it's amazing how many little errors one keeps finding. But now that some of the pieces are done, the store can officially launch.
I vlogged about this and also gave a preview of a new piece for marching band, for which I was working on the mockup. I will probably do a breakdown of through this piece in a future blog.
I vlogged about this and also gave a preview of a new piece for marching band, for which I was working on the mockup. I will probably do a breakdown of through this piece in a future blog.
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