I’ve gone through many different potential topics for my research project before settling on research into Film Score Composing. I aim to discover what I need to do in order to become a Film Score Composer. I chose to do research into this area as my future aspiration is to become a Film Score Composer; however I am not aware of what processes someone must go through to get into this field. I have a strong background in music and composition; I have actually won prizes such as the Australian Music Educators Young Composers Award (ASME YCA) for my compositions and am representing South Australia in the ASME Conference in July. Thus, I will be able to use my current knowledge of musical theory and terminology to help me research into the concept of Film Score Composition, which I am not familiar with.
My research methods will mostly include interviews and direct communication with university instructors and other tutors in order to find out exactly what is necessary to get into the industry but will also include research into university courses through pamphlets, internet research and interviews with appropriate people. There are a number of internet based magazines which often have interviews with current films scorers, allowing me to gain knowledge of how they became part of the industry and other such things. I will also need to research into orchestration, instrumentation and compositional techniques to gain a fuller understanding of the techniques which film scorers such as Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer and John Williams may use. I could utilize my position as Band Leader at Woodville High School and could also utilize my communication I now have since winning the ASME YCA with composers and professionals to complete my research and to achieve my end goal. Ultimately, I aim to discover more about the business aspect of the Film Scoring Industry and extend my knowledge in composition and writing techniques. It is important to note however that analysis of Film Scores will be highly beneficial, this is because most Orchestration handbooks were written at least thirty years ago, thus their methods could be considered out-dated. Analysing modern scores will allow me to gain knowledge of other composer’s techniques, first hand.
As with all research, there are many ethical concerns. Namely, I will need to have informed consent from my interviewees and survey takers if I choose to conduct a survey. To achieve informed consent, I will need to construct a letter which explains what and I am doing and furthermore ask their permission for their response to be used in my presentations. However, I must also accept that the people that I have asked have the right to decline or opt out of my research at any time or ask to be anonymous. I must also ensure that I do not harm anyone, including myself. Ultimately, I must also ensure that all of my research is beneficial to my end goal.
My chosen capability is work. My research question of “what do you need to do in order to become a Film Score Composer” is all to do with learning the essential knowledge and skills for employability in the Film Score industry. My end goal of becoming a Film Score Composer is my focus, which I will need to make connections with others at a local, national or global level to achieve and this Research Project will allow me to start those connections or at least discover how to. This end goal will demonstrate my prior and newly acquired knowledge related to film scoring and will also help find opportunities to work in the industry in the future.
My research methods will mostly include interviews and direct communication with university instructors and other tutors in order to find out exactly what is necessary to get into the industry but will also include research into university courses through pamphlets, internet research and interviews with appropriate people. There are a number of internet based magazines which often have interviews with current films scorers, allowing me to gain knowledge of how they became part of the industry and other such things. I will also need to research into orchestration, instrumentation and compositional techniques to gain a fuller understanding of the techniques which film scorers such as Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer and John Williams may use. I could utilize my position as Band Leader at Woodville High School and could also utilize my communication I now have since winning the ASME YCA with composers and professionals to complete my research and to achieve my end goal. Ultimately, I aim to discover more about the business aspect of the Film Scoring Industry and extend my knowledge in composition and writing techniques. It is important to note however that analysis of Film Scores will be highly beneficial, this is because most Orchestration handbooks were written at least thirty years ago, thus their methods could be considered out-dated. Analysing modern scores will allow me to gain knowledge of other composer’s techniques, first hand.
As with all research, there are many ethical concerns. Namely, I will need to have informed consent from my interviewees and survey takers if I choose to conduct a survey. To achieve informed consent, I will need to construct a letter which explains what and I am doing and furthermore ask their permission for their response to be used in my presentations. However, I must also accept that the people that I have asked have the right to decline or opt out of my research at any time or ask to be anonymous. I must also ensure that I do not harm anyone, including myself. Ultimately, I must also ensure that all of my research is beneficial to my end goal.
My chosen capability is work. My research question of “what do you need to do in order to become a Film Score Composer” is all to do with learning the essential knowledge and skills for employability in the Film Score industry. My end goal of becoming a Film Score Composer is my focus, which I will need to make connections with others at a local, national or global level to achieve and this Research Project will allow me to start those connections or at least discover how to. This end goal will demonstrate my prior and newly acquired knowledge related to film scoring and will also help find opportunities to work in the industry in the future.