Logic Pro7 & Film

Question

Hi there,I am about to start writing music for film. I have never done this before and am not quite sure where to start. The film will be 1 hour in length and in quicktime format. Do I just import the film into a default 120 BPM track then and lock that into place and then just write and record the music in time to the film and also lock that into place or is there a special point in time to place the 1st frame of the film? Also what is a 2 pop, how do you create this in Logic and where do you place it? Sorry about the long winding questions but I am so new to Music For Film that I just don't know where to start. Writing music for music seems so much easier, just start somewhere and end somewhere else. Thanks heaps.....

Answer 1

I couldn't disagree more with the last post! If you're comfortable with composing music for music's sake, then there's no reason why you can't do a good job for film.
There are 'two' ways you can do this.
1 - watch the Quicktime carefully, making notes as to what's happening on screen and where you think the music should come in/out, and what mood is required. Then open a new song(s) in Logic and compose your track(s). Remember that music for film is often just as much about creating a subtle ambience, as a dramatic score! Once you've finished your music, hand it over to the editor.
2 - if you're interested in a perfectly synchronized score, and the editor is unwilling to edit to your music, then import your Quicktime into logic with the Options - Movie - Open Movie as Float menu item, and try improvising to the picture until you're happy with an idea, and then build it up until it sounds complete. Chose a BPM that best fits the 'hit points' - important edits in the cut... A word of advice on this method, you're creativity can become stifled by an anxiety to perfectly synchronize events so I'd recommend this only for (short) special sections that require more intention.
One last tip, once you've imported your movie, position it somewhere out of the way on your screen, and lock the screenset: Windows - Screensets - Lock Screenset. Otherwise the movie will disappear if you change screenset.
Finally, good luck!