Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator and Author Andy Hill to Lead Two-Day Score-Com Seminar June 15-16 in Nashville

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

          NASHVILLE -- Internationally known film composer, arranger, orchestrator, author and educator Andy Hill will provide insights on composing music for film during the Nashville Composers Association's annual Score-Com Seminar from June 15-16 (Saturday-Sunday) in Nashville.

        

         "Goodbye, Hollywood... Hello World: The Expanding Sphere of Media Music," which will occur from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is expected to draw up to 50 emerging and professional composers to The Steel Mill in north Nashville for two full days of training.

         Attendees will attend morning sessions hosted by The Sync Center with insights from leading music industry professionals on the modern sync world, including prices, processes, practices and studies. Sunday's session will conclude with a Netflix Pitch Session.

          Composers will re-assemble for afternoon sessions with Hill to learn about national and regional opportunities and hear examples from breakout composers such as Keefus Ciancia ("Killing Eve"), Daniel Hart ("Strange Angel"), and Keegan DeWitt ("Gemini"). Former Disney and Dreamworks Music Executive Todd Homme will join Hill for a special discussion and presentation on Sunday. 

         All Score-Com Symposium attendees will receive a complimentary Film-Com laminate with the opportunity to attend film industry business seminars, a VIP kick-off reception, and a special networking event on Sunday night.

         "We are thrilled to have the legendary Andy Hill as our workshop leader for the annual Score-Com' Symposium," said Geoff Koch, president of the Nashville Composers Association. "Attendees will gain access to his decades of professional scoring experience, including his time as vice president for music production at Walt Disney Studios."

         Tuition for Score-Com's two-day symposium is $55 for NCA members and $85 for non-members. Individuals must register by June 7 to receive a free Film-Com conference laminate. The Steel Mill is located at 10 Quality Way in Nashville.

         To register, visit http://nashvillecomposers.org/product/score-com-2019/. To learn more about the Nashville Composers Association, visit http://www.NashvilleComposers.org. 

         Participants for The Sync Center's morning sessions will include North American Publishing Supervisor Ted Goldthorpe, Sony Sync Executive Bill Goff, Sync Center Head John Pisciotta, and Bulletproof Sync Licensing Executive Geoff Sanderson.

Andy Hill

         Andy Hill was born in Chicago and educated at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. From 1987-1996, during the period now referred to as the Disney Renaissance, he served as vice-president of music production for The Walt Disney Studios (division), overseeing music production on a roster of films which included "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Sister Act," and working closely with composers and songwriters such as Alan Menken and Hans Zimmer. Films for which Hill supervised music under the aegis of the Disney music department and its music chief, Chris Montan, earned nine Academy Awards in the categories of Best Original Score and Best Original Song for a Motion Picture. Subsequent to his term at Disney, Hill opened Andy Hill Film + Music under the auspices of Modern Music and supervised projects which included "Message In A Bottle," "Ed Wood," "James and the Giant Peach" and "Happy Feet," winning a Grammy Award in 2000 as producer of the Best Musical Album for "Children for Elmo In Grouchland."

         From 2006-2011, Hill directed the graduate program in Music Composition for the Screen at Columbia College Chicago. His students have earned music credit on films such as "Life of Pi," "How To Train Your Dragon," and "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" and found work with such notable composers as John Powell, Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna, Johnny Klimek, and Javier Navarrete. In the fall of 2011, Hill was engaged to prepare and oversee the launch of graduate composition programs, including film scoring and electronic music production, at Berklee Valencia, the international extension of the Berklee College of Music, with classes commencing in September 2012. The campus is located in the Palau de les Arts, part of the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies designed by visionary architect Santiago Calatrava in Valencia, Spain. Following matriculation of the first class of Berklee degree candidates and a pilot semester, he spent an additional six months in Spain and Morocco working on a portfolio of songs with an enigmatic producer known only as The Old Guitarist. In September 2013, Hill relocated to Belgium to take a post as executive soundtrack producer and director of international business development for Galaxy Studios and the Scoring Flanders initiative, with the goal of bringing more high-level film scoring to the Flanders region and the musical stewardship of the Brussels Philharmonic. Concurrently, he launched Cinemuse VOF as a company under Belgian law, for music supervision and scoring services within the EU. In late 2015, Cinemuse, and Hill, relocated to Nashville, Tennessee.

         Hill is a member of the adjunct faculty and an industry advisor to the Masters Program in Scoring for Film and Visual Media at Pulse College Dublin, a division of Windmill Lane Studios, and a member of the advisory board for Pingtrax (Musimap), a Belgian music search engine utilized by scholars, archivists, media producers and music supervisors. His comprehensive study of landmark film scores, Scoring the Screen: The Secret Language of Film Music, has been acquired for a Spring 2017 print publication by the Hal Leonard Corporation. About the book, Conrad Pope, celebrated orchestrator for John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, and Howard Shore, among others said, “If you have any interest in what music means in film, you must read this book.”

Video Game Composer and Audio Producer Alexander Brandon to Lead Score-Com 'Game Music Bootcamp' Symposium June 17-18 in Nashville

         NASHVILLE -- Video Game Composer and Audio Producer Alexander Brandon will provide insights on composing music for video games during the Nashville Composers Association's annual Score-Com Symposium from June 17-18 in Nashville.

        

         "Game Music Bootcamp" is expected to draw 50 emerging and professional composers to Ocean Way Studios on Music Row for two full days of game music training. Attendees will learn aspects including non-linear scoring, integration, writing techniques, and working with supervisors. Writing session demonstrations will feature Steinberg's Nuendo with practical techniques that can be used for any digital audio workstation such as Pro Tools, Logic and Reaper.

 

         All Score-Com symposium attendees will be invited to attend a Film-Com film and television conference networking event on Saturday night. A free Film-Com laminate will provide access to a Film-Com VIP Kick-off Reception, business panels, and the annual Film and Television Industry Gala.

         "We are thrilled to have Alexander Brandon as our workshop leader for our first 'Game Music Bootcamp,'" said Geoff Koch, president of the Nashville Composers Association. "He is a game audio veteran with 20 years of experience and more than 50 titles to his credit, among them for hits such as 'Unreal' and 'Deus Ex.' He runs the audio production house Funky Rustic in Georgetown, Texas."

         Tuition for Score-Com's two-day "Game Music Bootcamp" symposium is $55 for NCA members and $85 for non-members. Individuals must register by June 7 to receive a free Film-Com conference laminate. Ocean Way Studios is located at 1200 17th Avenue South.

         To register, visit http://www.nashvillecomposers.org/product/score-com-2017/. To learn more about the Nashville Composers Association, visit http://www.NashvilleComposers.org.

        

         The symposium will occur from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's schedule will include a brief history of game audio, an overview of the industry, an overview of toolsets, demonstrations of non-linear composition (vertical and horizontal), and typical industry points. Sunday's highlights include integration in Wwise, use of Wwise and Nuendo, integrations in Unreal and Unity, and licensing and networking. 

Alexander Brandon

         Brandon is a game audio veteran with 20 years of experience and over 50 titles to his credit, among them the soundtracks for such hits as “Unreal” and “Deus Ex,” and more recently music, sound and voice for such games as “Torment: Tides of Numenera,” “Wasteland 2,” “Alpha Protocol,” the “Neverwinter Nights” series, “Bejeweled 3,” “Skyrim,” and “DC Universe Online.”

         He has skills in music composition, sound design, voice acting, voice direction, audio direction, and game audio technology. He has written the award-winning book “Audio For Games: Planning, Process and Production” and written columns for Game Developer and Mix magazines. He has also lectured at UCLA Extension, Texas State University, and Berklee School of Music.

         He has also worked with Hollywood voice talent, symphony orchestras, and high-profile music acts such as BT. Brandon continues to write on numerous game audio subjects, and is always honoring his roots, interviewing such Japanese game music rock stars like Hip Tanaka and Tetsuya Mizuguchi. As part of the game audio community he has served on the steering committee of the IA-SIG and as vice president of the Game Audio Network Guild.

         He now runs the audio production house in Georgetown, Texas, “Funky Rustic”, with his wife, Jeanette, and distributes music through Bandcamp and Soundrop, releasing an album every now and again.

Nashville Composers Association to Hold Two-Day Symposium for Film Composers from June 18-19

            NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Composers Association and Film-Com will present the two-day seminar “Deciphering the Movie Music Masters” with music supervisor, record producer and music educator Andy Hill from June 18-19 at Ocean Way on Music Row.

            The premise of this year's Score-Com (“Deciphering the Movie Music Masters”) is that film composers need to study the film music repertoire no less diligently than concert composers study the classical repertoire. What can composers learn from the past that they can carry into the future? And how can composers hit the bar that was set by our predecessors with today’s budgets and timelines? Andy will address through study of actual landmark scores and live demonstrations playing to picture.  As a music supervisor, Andy has worked with some of the greatest film composers. As an educator, he has conducted Skype chats many of them in locations all over the world, and he will do so at Score-Com (prepare to be surprised!). Established composers will speak to how they manage with lower budgets, tight deadlines, and current creative expectations.

            Seating is limited.
Tuition is $85 for non-members and $55 for NCA members. For more information or to register, visit http://nashvillecomposers.org/product/score-com-2016-ticket/

            The agenda and topics that will be covered in the symposium include:

            * Is there a shared film music language, with its own vocabulary and syntax?

            * If so, how can a composer make use of it without being merely imitative?

            *How can contemporary media composers create distinctive music with radically reduced budgets?

            * The Nashville-Austin connection.

            * Can Nashville become “Media Music City”?

            Score-Com also will feature Skype chats with film composers Danny Elfman and Hanan Townshend.

            It is highly recommended (though not mandatory) to get Andy Hill's new book, "Scoring the Screen: The Secret Language of Film Music", as he will be frequently referencing it.  Special pricing for the book will be made available to Score-Com attendees.

Andy Hill

            All symposium attendees are invited to a Film-Com networking event on the evening of June 18 (details will be provided to all paid attendees).  Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided.  Feel free to bring your business cards, demos or any other promotional materials!

            All paid attendees will also receive all-access laminates to attend these Film-Com film and television business events:

            * Film-Com networking event.

            * Film-Com VIP Kick-Off Reception.

            * All biz panels.

            * The New Project Expo.

            * Annual Film/Television Industry Gala.

Michael Bearden to Headline Film Scoring and Composing Seminar in Nashville from June 13-14

 

         NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Composers Association and "Film-Com" will present the seminar “Incorporating Everything You Do as a Composer Into a Living” with celebrity musical director and composer Michael Bearden from June 13-14 on Music Row.

         Attendees of “Incorporating Everything You Do as a Composer Into a Living” (during this summer's "Score-Com") will learn how to utilize their diverse musical talents and abilities as composers into making a living. Bearden, who has been doing this for 30 years, will discuss how he has succeeded as a musical director/producer, keyboardist, and film composer. 

 

         Bearden will provide an overview of his experience, including what it's like to work as a “celebrity musical director” for artists such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Michael Jackson, and others; score films such as the Michael Jackson documentary “This Is It” and Spike Lee's “Drop Squad”; work on the Emmy Awards as co-musical director and conductor; and work on the "Late Show" with David Letterman as principal keyboardist/pianist.

         Music technology breakout sessions from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday and Sunday will be headed by Nashville Composers Association board member and CEO of MusicSynk John Pisciotta. Saturday's session, "Technology, Tools and Transparency", will feature panelists Charles Alexander, Lee Greer of NPREX,
Andy Tomlinson of Ditto Music, and Glenn Peoples of Billboard Magazine. Sunday's session, "Syncs and Drinks (coffee & lattes) – Sync, Clearance and Supervision Best Pactices", will feature panelists Randall Foster of ole Music and Bill Goff of Sony Tree. 

         All symposium attendees can attend a "Film-Com" networking event on Saturday night. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Composers are encouraged to bring their business cards, demos, or any other promotional materials.

         All paid "Score-Com" seminar attendees will also receive all-access laminates to attend "Film-Com" film and television business events from June 13-18, including a VIP kick-off reception at Tacklebox in Marathon Village on June 16, business panels at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theater on June 17, the "New Project Expo" at NorthStar Studios on June 18 and 19, and the annual Film/Television Industry Gala at Frist Center for the Visual Arts on June 18.

          Tuition for the “Incorporating Everything You Do as a Composer Into a Living” workshop is $55 for NCA members and $85 for non-members. Seating is limited. Composers must register by June 4 to receive an all-access "Film-Com" laminate. To register, visit http://nashvillecomposers.org/product/score-com-2015-ticket/ .

Photos: 'Score-Com' and 'Film-Com' Spotlight Composers and Filmmakers From Around The World

     The 2014 installments of "Score-Com" and "Film-Com" were a resounding success with filmmakers and composers converging on Nashville from around the world. Following are photos of award-winning composer Stephen Endelman's presentation on Music Row, the "Film-Com" mixer at Zeitgeist Gallery, and the "F-C" exhibits (with music) at LP Field. All photos by MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting. 

(Photos Copyright 2014 -- reprinted by permission only)

LA Film/TV composer Stephen Endelman to Lead Seminar at Score-Com in Nashville

            NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Composers Association and Film-Com are joining forces to present the two-day seminar “Understanding Film Music – Succeeding Under Pressure” with LA-based Film and TV composer, Stephen Endelman.

            The annual seminar known as Score-Com will occur at Ocean Way Studios on Music Row from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (June 14 and 15), with a special networking event on Saturday night. Attendees of “Understanding Film Music – Succeeding Under Pressure” will learn about how to use effective compositional techniques in film and TV applications, including analyses of movie scenes to determine what works well and why. Endelman will also discuss how to set yourself up in business as a composer. The agenda and topics that will be covered in the symposium include

            * Overview of film and TV scoring from Endelman's perspective using scenes from his movies to explore different musical genres and emotions and techniques. For example: The use of ostinatos in action cues or long lyrical lines or three-note phrases.

            * Discussion and debate about technology, traditional instrumentation, EDM, synth-based compositions, and orchestra.

            * How one sets himself/herself up in business as a composer and what one needs to know.

            * Deconstruction of five scenes from five of Edelman's movies to see what works and doesn’t.

            Endelman will come to Nashville with three 2-minute scenes for which each participant will each choose a scene. Attendees will discuss the scenes and talk about how they should be scored. The scenes to be scored will be made available just a few days before the Symposium. Participation in the scoring exercise is completely optional, but it will provide professional, invaluable and positive feedback for one's music. On the second day of the symposium, attendees will listen to each composition and discuss the results. Individuals who are interested in participating in the scoring critique can check back or more info.

            All symposium attendees are invited to a Film-Com networking event on Saturday. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards, demos, and other promotional materials.

            All paid attendees will also receive all-access laminates to attend Film-Com ("Filmolution") film and television business events. Highlights of Film-Com include

            * A Film-Com Kick-Off Reception at Zeitgeist Gallery from 7-9 p.m. June 14.

            * Business panels at the Ford Theatre, Country Music Hall of Fame, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 17-20.

            * The New Project Expo at Titans Stadium from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on (Friday and Saturday) June 18-19.

            Score-Com attendees must register by May 31 to receive an all-access Film-Com laminate. Please click this link to register: http://nashvillecomposers.org/events/registration/.  Seating is limited.  Regular enrollment fee is $85; NCA members may register for $55.

            Grammy-nominated composer, arranger and producer Stephen Endelman has successfully demonstrated his ability to write music and collaborate in a variety of genres. His scores range from lush, classical orchestrations, to contemporary, pop-driven tapestries. In the contemporary music world, Endelman has worked with music icons including Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Robbie Williams, Alanis Morissette, Natalie Cole and soprano Renee Fleming. As a film composer, Endelman has collaborated with Oscar-lauded filmmakers including David O. Russell ("Flirting With Disaster"), Martin Scorsese ("Kicked in the Head"), Irwin Winkler ("Home of the Brave"), David Mamet ("Redbelt"), Bruce Beresford ("Evelyn") and Robert Deniro ("A Bronx Tale"). Endelman’s wide-ranging works have spanned the rich orchestral score for "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill, but Came Down a Mountain", to his minimalist, modern score for the hit comedy "Flirting with Disaster".

            Endelman has scored nearly 100 film and television projects as well as produced numerous recording artists. He has received numerous accolades including Grammy nominations and several ASCAP Film & TV Music Awards for scoring excellence. He was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Award as Resident Composer at the Metropolitan Opera Guild where he was a resident artist for several years. Endelman currently resides in Los Angeles.

Music, TV and Film A Perfect Mix in Music City

By Dan Wunsch

MCAU Guest Writer

(This article was published in the March/April 2013 Issue of the Nashville Music Guide.)

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Through the years, Nashville is becoming known as "Tinsel Town South" not only because of the LA transplants relocating here, but the city has earned the reputation of being a major film center through three annual major conferences and festivals: "Film-Com", the "Nashville Film Festival", and the "Nashville Screenwriters Conference".

(Dan Wunsch (right) greets New York Times reporter Phil Sweetland during the opening party for "Score-Com" and "Film-Com".)

     Each has filmmakers and film industry executives flocking to Music City from around the world, and the common thread that has made all three successful is the participation of Hollywood insiders, including directors, producers, film/TV executives, actors and screenwriters. Nashville songwriters, music publishers and record labels have a unique opportunity to place their songs and compositions into film and TV by networking at these events.

     "Film-Com" 2013 is scheduled from April 13-19 with sub-events scheduled throughout downtown Nashville. The primary mission of this film industry conference and market is to bring film, TV, investment and distribution companies together with filmmakers for the packaging, funding and distribution of new film and TV projects. The bread and butter of "Film-Com' is industry seminars, pitch sessions to industry executives, and a film market showcasing film and TV projects. Companies sending representatives this year include Dreamworks Animation, SyFy Channel, TLC, Valhalla Television, Millennium Film, I.M., and Global International Distribution to mention a few. 

     Several "Film-Com" events have been designed specifically with Nashville's music community in mind. The conference opens with a workshop/seminar for composers titled "Score-Com" on April 13 at Ocean Way Studios. Last year, the workshop/seminar was mentored by Richard Glasser, head of the music at Weinstein Co.

     The Film/TV Industry Bash is on April 17, and besides being a monstrous networking party, will also feature a panel with the movers and shakers behind the TV series "Nashville": script writer Callie Khouri, producer Loucas George, and creator Steve Buchanan. 

     The "Syncs & Drinks", the largest group of companies and professionals in Music City involved in placing songs in film and television projects, is hosting a networking event on April 18, which will be immensely useful for both filmmakers looking for song material and for songwriters looking to establish relationships with creators of film and television projects.

     The "New Project Expo" takes place at Titans Stadium on April 18, and is an exhibition of films and TV series with networking opportunities with producers and directors. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself as a potential source of music for their currently-in-development or future film and TV projects. 

     For a complete list of events and participants visit http://www.nashvillecomposers.org and http://www.film-com.com.

     As the dust is settling on "Film-Com", the 44th annual "Nashville Film Festival" (a.k.a. NaFF) begins on April 18 and ends on April 25. As in past years, the festival will take place at the Regal Cinemas in Green Hills.  Included in the final slate of fictional and documentary films, selected from over 3,000 submissions, there are several documentary films with music themes from rock and roll and hip hop to boys’ choirs and classic country. Some of the artists portrayed in this year’s crop of films include the Sheepdogs (Canadian rockers); the St. Thomas Boys Choir; the Beatles through the eyes of their devoted secretary and friend, Freda Kelly; Jim Lauderdale; Oakland Hip Hoppers; artists influenced by the Muscle Shoals sound; Cuban rap group Los Aldeanos; artists from Bronson, Mo.; and others.

     Not to be missed is the Opening Night Selection Feature on April 18 of the Film "Mud", directed by Jeff Nichols and starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon. This screening is preceded by the red-carpet event, which always includes not only NaFF participating celebrities but also many surprise VIP’s. Bring your camera and find your spot with the paparazzi.  

     The Closing Night Selection on April 25, is the film "Unfinished Song", directed by Paul Andrew Williams and starring Terrence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave. The story line is seniors join a local singing group led by a charming and youthful director who reignites his passion for adventure.

     For a complete list of events including not only films but panel discussions and special events, visit http://www.nashvillefilmfestival.org .

     Last but not least, the 15th Annual Nashville Screenwriters Conference is scheduled from May 31 to June 2, 2013. This year, it returns to the Union Station Hotel. The foundation of the conference is panel discussions and seminars with the top screenwriters from Hollywood and New York, and this year's invitees will not disappoint. To mention a few, Alec Berg (SEINFELD, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, THE DICTATOR), Nancy Pimental (SOUTH PARK, THE SWEETEST THING, SHAMELESS), Manish Ravel (GIRLS, NEW GIRL, BAD TEACHER), Craig Mazin (IDENTITY THIEF, HANGOVER PART 2, SCARY MOVIE 4) and  Glenn Berger (KUNG FU PANDA, KING OF THE HILL). 

     The cornerstone event for Nashville’s music community is once again the "Music in Film and Television Panel" hosted by Anastasia Brown on June 1 at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theater. Major music supervisors will offer insider knowledge on how to place songs into films and television. The audience attendees will have the rare opportunity to submit one song to these panelists for their current projects. Actual scenes from projects in post-production will be shown on the big screen in the Ford Theater or script pages read, and each supervisor will describe the type of song required for the scene.

     Success stories from previous panels include placements in DREAM HOUSE, IN TIME, THE DARKEST HOUR, SANTA CLAUS 2 and  AUGUST RUSH to mention a few. 

     "Every label, publisher, manager, song writer and artist in town should attend this financially beneficial and inspiring panel," said Rod Essig, Creative Artist Agency executive. 

     For a complete list of events, participants and special events, visit http://www.nashscreen.com .

     In closing, in addition to ALL-INCLUSIVE tickets for each of the three major happenings, there are one-day or single-event tickets available, an attractive alternative for “starving artists.” The road to success has many paths. Consider these three major Nashville film conferences and festivals as one of them.

Comments to danwunschwriter@yahoo.com .

'Score-Com' Hits A Home Run With John Capek

NASHVILLE FILM MONTH: 'SCORE-COM'

April 13-14, 2013

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            The Nashville Composers Association always does an outstanding job with its annual "Score-Com" event during Nashville Film Month, but this past weekend's seminar has taken the organization to new heights.

            The two-day symposium (April 13-14) at Ocean Way Studios gave budding and professional songwriters/composers invaluable insights on the business and creative sides of writing music for film and television.

            John Capek's credits are noteworthy. He has achieved international acclaim as a composer, songwriter, keyboard player, producer, arranger and scorer for films and TV shows, including "A Perfect Storm", "Cocktail", and "Blown Away". He has written songs for Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, Toto, and many others. When you add his laid-back charm and experiential (alternative-to-Music Row) philosophy, you have one of the best motivators in the business.

            The composer spoke on two topics during his Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions: "The Other Half of A Song, Melody and Harmony" (Day One) and "Let's Write An Anthem Together: An Interactive Group Songwriting Exercise" (Day Two).

           

            According to John, the key to music success rests on several key steps:

            * Find your niche... a one-of-a-kind songwriting approach that no one else has (think Lennon, Queen, Dylan and Nirvana). (John is known for his colorful chord structures, creative rhythms, and unexpected twists and turns.)

            * Develop your social skills to help build a professional network of potential collaborators. (John ended up working with a number of people he met at networking events.)

            * Understand and adapt to fast-changing computer technology. (John demonstrated his use of Pro Tools during the seminar.)

            * Write songs and compositions that build tension, anticipation and surprise by delaying the resolution until the very last moment. (The artist demonstrated this by playing examples from his own catalog, as well as legendary artists of our time.)

            He outlined the process a songwriter/composer takes to find success. In the beginning, an amateur songwriter typically tries to emulate his or her favorite artists (i.e. The Beatles copied Chuck Berry). Later, the writer expands his/her boundaries with risk-taking and experimental writing (i.e. Queen broke through musical boundaries with tunes such as "Bohemian Rhapsody"). Finally, the writer connects with his/her audience through graceful simplicity (one example is the Lennon classic, "Imagine").

            John admits that he is no fan of traditional songwriting techniques taught by Sheila Davis and others. To him, there are too many Taylor Swift wannabes writing in the same predictable way. Their songs essentially sound the same with quick, tonic-oriented melodic resolutions and common lyrical rhymes. To him, every song needs a surprise (both melodically and lyrically). Writing a successful song requires personality, experimentation, long hours, and a certain amount of risk.

               "There are so many ways to bring out your personality in a song," the composer added. "Try keeping every line in suspension until the very end, where you resolve. Explore the total range of possibilities."

           

            John used several Lennon demo clips to show how the late legendary tunesmith experimented to discover the perfect approach for the Beatles classic, "She Said She Said". Experimentation includes writing nonsense, trying out new chords, and phrasing things in unconventional ways. You continue working until you break through what he calls the "cringe factor".

            As an overnight exercise, John asked the two-dozen composers to write and record a one-minute piece of music based on an emotional experience. He was impressed with the resulting wide range of original music (featuring piano, strings, guitar, and sound effects), telling members of his audience that they have a "bright future."

            John closed by having the audience collaborate on the writing of an original song for film or television. First, attendees were asked to write a letter about their imaginary experiences in Afghanistan. Then he used selected lines for the lyric. Later, he used his piano to choose the rhythm and instrumentation for an experimental recording.

           

            Attendees left feeling invigorated and encouraged... and ready to experiment!

Footnotes... The Morning Sessions and the Big Party

            The morning sessions (Deidre Emerson, Scott Hallgren, John Pisciotta, and Stacy Widelitz) were equally satisfying and informative.  Here are a few highlights:

            * Have a lifelong yearning to learn and adapt to what's happening now.

            * Success is not going to wait for us.

            * We're moving in the direction of "Star Trek".

            * Unlearn... then re-learn.

            * You must have "thick skin".

            * Be as business-like as possible.

            * You have to re-invent yourself every five years.

            * Don't give everything away for free.

            *  Producers look for "emotional value".

            *  Self-promotion comes down to relationships.

            *  "This is the Wild West"... Keep your business house in order.

            *  Always file a cue sheet.

            * Be in control of your own copyright.

            Saturday night's "Score-Com"/"Film-Com" party was sensational. Scroll down for photos.

Coming Up: A story on this week's "Film-Com", followed by a series of stories on this year's "Nashville Film Festival". See the stories and others at http://www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com .