It began as a writing excercise with my media department staff to see if we could convince our bosses to allow us to create and film a 45 minute feature short. What it turned into was a $600,000 movie with production staff, film crew, casting and lots of kraft services... But my fellow musician - Dave Watts - and I also wanted our imprint to be felt on the score and soundtrack as well. This vision of producing original music to accompany our original film has led to the writing and recording of approximately 15 songs, 11 of which have made it to my final independent study submission for Goucher.

After allowing for the inclusion of "stock/library" interstitial music about halfway through the film project, I knew that there would be songs that I was proud of that I would like to submit for this independent work that did not make it into the film as well. A Brian Eno-esque Music for Films type of project, if you will. Remixes and Opinions is the final result of our writing and recording which I submit with pride.

Drawing the project and website name from the work done on the project as well as learning that when working with 3 other producers, a director, and 2 fairly outspoken editors, appealing to a diverse group of opinions is the real test of one's measure and ego when creating original music or art... I have shared my original goals below as well as what else I have inadvertantly learned through this process. But, ultimately what it boils down to is that I have a better understanding of what makes up the music that I personally like, and what style and tone of music that I personally like to create. And if it were for that last reason alone, than I believe this study and all the work done was worth every second.

Original goals for the independent study as submitted:
• Ableton Live 9 - Learning to properly engineer and record in the newest version of this software. Taking the next steps from Goucher’s Audio Techniques course in the recording of: keyboards, live acoustic drums, guitars, sound effects and vocals.
• Production - Leading a talented group of musicians to create original and exciting music.
• Mastering - Properly mixing and mastering the soundtrack and score for use in the final cinematic mix as well as CD and download sales.
• Storytelling - Continuing techniques utilized in Goucher’s Contemporary Storytelling course to assist in a visual narrative by using soundscapes, music and production.


What I have learned:
• I do feel as if I have accomplished all of the original goals set forth in my first proposal. What I struggle with, more often than not, is the final mix output. The original pieces, however, that I mixed down and submitted did retain their quality and acceptance in the editing bay. One piece - The Pwr 2b (Credits) - was the biggest stuggle to get exactly right, but it does get used during the end credits and in an earlier scene within the first 4 minutes of the film. Pieces that I am especially proud of are: Marcus, Willhe & His Mom and A Swift Huddle . All pieces that get used in prominent scenes within the film. (And until the final film is availble to send via DVD for consideration, a spreadsheet of musical pieces and their place in the film - in order of appearance from top to bottom - can be downloaded here: Remixes & Opinions Song List Spreadsheet)

• There is no substitute for real instruments... Unless that is your intent (Some hip-hop songs can do this well. The Fruitvale Station soundtrack was brought up to me during this process as a good example of a movie soundtrack. It is full, however, of songs that sound like they were made on a Casio keyboard in the 80's.) What makes Fruitvale Station, or any other movie of high caliber, great is it's SCORE. The background music that swells and changes to assist the audience in their interpretation of the visuals.

• Movie score music should be dynamic. It should swell and change. Ebb and flow. This allows the editors to pick and choose parts of each song to use under certain scenes as needed.

• It is not always easy when working with others of differing tastes, but it is helping to refine my own sound and practice.

Lastly - below are the song credits as they will be seen in our film. I look forward to what I will make next. It may be of interest to note that I have been listenig to a good deal of James Vincent McMorrow...



- Raser