Being a passionate artist
The world of cinema is a universe where visual art and musical art merge to create works that can become extraordinary. At the center of this symbiosis is the soundtrack composer, an artist who, in my vision, to be just like that, should definitely possess excellent technical competence, but also a particular knowledge and passion for cinema.
The importance of a composer passionate about his work is, for me, fundamental. Music in a film is not simply a background, nor an abstract composition, but an essential element of story narration: it creates atmosphere, transmits emotions, information, anticipates or highlights transitions. Only a passionate composer can capture the essence of a film and translate it into music and sounds that capture the viewer’s imagination and narrate like words.
The art of shaping sound
Furthermore, my ideal of a contemporary composer must also possess considerable knowledge in the world of sound, certainly not with the aim of replacing the profession of sound designer, but rather to have a technical background that allows him to have the widest possible palette during the creative process of composition. Creating new, original sounds, using them alone or integrating them with classic sounds, opens up new horizons for the soundtrack and once again creates singularity for the film.
In-depth knowledge of the languages of cinema, then, is the other crucial aspect. A composer who understands the importance of photography, screenplay and direction can synchronize his music with images in a timely manner. This dialogue between music and images can greatly elevate the emotional impact of a film.
The interaction with the director
Finally, the ability to interact with the director (and the production) is equally important. My idea is that the collaboration between the composer and the director is often one of the keys to the success of a soundtrack. The ability to understand and translate the director’s visions into music is an aptitude, but also the fruit of a listening ability that has been cultivated and of numerous experiences in the field and in the entire training of the person.
A composer’s work, like that of a director, is unique and aims to be memorable, which is why their partnership is so important. Music libraries may offer a wide range of songs, but nothing can compare to music created specifically for a film by two artists. The custom-created soundtrack blends with the film, becoming an integral part of its identity.
The composer’s passion and knowledge for cinema contribute to creating authoritative works. The knowledge of the medium is reflected in the quality of the music he produces. This not only enriches the value of the film, but can also leave an imprint on what is called the viewer’s affective memory.
Composers are also authors
Soundtrack composers are not just expert technicians; they are multifaceted artists and above all they represent authorial figures within the film work, in fact even the law on copyright considers them as co-authors of a film, in the same way as the scriptwriter, the screenwriter and the director.
Are you a director or producer and would you like to discuss the music of your project and how to develop it? Write to me at joe@joeschievano.com I will reply as soon as possible and if necessary we could meet on call to talk about it more fully.