Music is an integral part in film and TV; music is usually refered to as a score, but a collection of scores and songs would be called a soundtrack. Music shapes how we view a scene on the screen as it illustrates the tone and emotion in the scene. 

I had the opportunity to interview an aspiring film composer, Jared Walker, known for his work on Youtube projects such as Batman: New Dawn, Breathe, and Transformers: Deprivation. The range of film genres he composes scores for are varied, so it is impressive that he manages to create amazing and captivating music for those projects. 

 

What got you into music composition? 

"I've always loved film scores and it's always the one thing that stood out when I watched a film. It wasn't until I was fifteen years old that I took an interest in actually writing scores. I wanted to see if I could write something like Hans Zimmer or John Williams or Michael Giacchino, so I got a DAW [Digital Audio Workspace] and started writing, and I've loved it every day since."

Why do you think music is such an intergral part of film?

"In my opinion, music is what makes a film. You have to have a score. Imagine a scene like The Battle of Pelenor Fields from 'The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King' without Howard Shore's incredible score. It wouldn't be the same. Music is one of the most crucial and valuable parts of a film."

Scores play into emotions that you may not realise you are feeling at first. When it comes to the art of film, it truly creates a sensation that nothing else can. Not only does it elevate the emotion in the film, but it also tells its own story through the orchestral instruments to the simple beats of a drum.

How does music convey emotion and uplift a scene?

"Basically, you're telling the same story the scene is telling through the sounds. If you have an emotional death scene or action scene, the music needs to capture those same tones and tell the same story. Same goes for dark and mysterious, and action and adventure scenes. I think one of the best scenes that captures this is from the first Lord of the Rings film in the Mines of Moria [a location in the book and film where the heroes find themselves in] where they face multiple orcs and goblins, and where Gandalf fights the Balrog and falls."

What is your favourite soundtrack of any film?

"Honestly, I cannot say I have only one favourite, but an example of one of my favourites would be the Sinbad soundtrack by Harry Gregson Williams."

What equipment do you use to make the scores?

"The software I use is Presonus Studio One 4 artist, as well as Presonus Notion 6. For writing, I use Multiple Sound Libraries from Audio Imperias Nucleus Lite to Spitifre Audios BBC Symphonic Orchestra Discover, Spitfire LABS Orchestral Tools and Performance Samples."

What are your plans for the future, specifically in your composing career?

"Just to keep writing. Hopefully one day, I could work with one of my composing inspirations and heroes, and get to write a score for a big Hollywood film."

Any advice for aspiring composers?

"Be you. Don't try to be the next big thing. Don't try to be like someone else. Just be yourself, write the music you feel inside, express yourself in your music, and just - this is the most important thing - just have fun with it."

 

"Be you." If there is anything you could take from this interview, this would be the most important thing to remember if you want to pursue film composing.

With the devotion and persistence Jared has, his future seems quite bright, and it can clearly be seen that he is passionate about his career.