Week 25 - The Sleep of Kings

The great director debacle has come to an end. It took 3 weeks, but it is resolved. After 10 revisions and many sleepless nights, the director finally approved my cues. Did he arrive at the decision of his own volition? 

Not really. 

As the deadline drew nearer, I became increasingly agitated and embarrassed at the situation, not only was I the only class member who didn't have an approved cue, the entire scoring project was delayed a week so I could figure out how to make this guy happy. With 3 days left to the new deadline, I met with the incoming school program director and told her of my frustration. I asked her if they ever had a student not get a cue approved for a film. She replied that yes, it happens more frequently than you might think. I told her I felt that I have gone above and beyond reasonable expectations. 

When my own material failed to enthrall the director, I sought feedback from others on my team who have cues approved by the director. After much discussion, we concluded that my music matched theirs, is well written and supports the onscreen action / emotion as well as any of theirs, our team of three had created a unified sound for this film (Which is actually quite good, it's very similar to episodes of the X-Files). 

I met with both the outgoing school director, (program founder, respected 40-year veteran of the film score industry, and amazing mentor) as well as another trusted composition advisor who both felt there was nothing more that could really be done to improve the way the music supports the scene. To alter it anymore not only risks producing a sub-par cue, but also betrayed my original musical ideal. He told me to move ahead without receiving approval from the film director, but to write him an email explaining the deadline was rapidly approaching and I had no alternative but to start the next step of the process for his cues. 

Within 2 hours the film director had replied, apologized for taking so long to make up his mind, approved my cues as is, and is now excited about the next steps. 

I slept very soundly last night thank you.

Week 24 - Questioning

This week has been the busiest one yet, and there is no slowing down until graduation.

I’ve been in the studio 10-12 hours a day all week. It’s madness! A new film to score every 3 weeks, we start class on our 4th DAW this week (Cubase). We’ve also started mockups, video games, and songwriting. 

I’m really at a crossroads today, I’m having serious doubts about wether or not I can graduate. This last week has been incredibly stressful, I’m exhausted and constantly on the verge of a panic attack. I can’t get the director of the film I’m scoring to approve any of my sketches, I’ve done 5 revisions so far. The two other members on my team have both had work approved and are moving on. I’m on the edge here.

If I don't get director approval for my sketch today, I don't see how I can have everything finished by the deadline (Sunday 7:00 PM). If approved, I still have to write 2 more cues, do mockups of all 3 cues, all of the sync shit which I abhor (click and MIDI tracks), print and proof scores and parts for 6 musicians, and hope that everything is correct.

If I fail this class, there is no way I can get my degree. I can still graduate with a certificate, but no Master degree.