More Than Music
The Messy Process of Composing for Film
Each composer has a unique process when turning their vision for a piece of music into a completed work. But some of the most well-known legends of the craft have to consider more than just what sounds good. From sparkling showstoppers to moody melodies, we’ve come to expect music as a natural accompaniment to all forms of arts and entertainment. Unlike stand-alone symphonies, many pieces of music were designed from the start to match perfectly with a visual element, like film.
With over 116 films and 54 Academy Award nominations under his belt, John Williams has become a widely loved beacon of talent in film composition. Check out what he has to say about his tried-and-true process to write world-famous movie scores!
The KSO will perform The Music of John Williams on Saturday, October 19, 2024!
The King of Collaboration
John Williams tackles each new project with an open mind. When asked in an interview if he sticks to a specific approach when composing every film he writes, Williams was adamant about switching things up. “The scores can be as different as Star Wars is from Images or Schindler’s List is from Indiana Jones. When I look at films with directors, I’m always asking myself the question, ‘What should this film sound like? What should Superman’s music be if we didn’t have it?’ And so, I really approach each one as a very individual case.”
After connecting with the director of a film, Williams writes a short “sketch” that he feels captures the emotion of the story. His well-known themes are ear-catching and emotive, while still being malleable and adaptable for different moments during the film. He then brings the 10-12 line concept back to the director for review.
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