Lights, camera… MUSIC! Mayfield Senior School musicians and filmmakers learn Hollywood-style collaboration
Why do musicians read their scores on yellow paper?
What is a click track?
How come spotting sessions are so important?
What is a click track?
How come spotting sessions are so important?
These and other questions were discussed during a first-of-its-kind Mayfield Conservatory for the Arts collaboration among film and instrumental students and Nicolas Repetto, a professional composer with an active film scoring career.
What will unfold over the next month is a real-world, music industry intensive. Mr. Repetto will work closely with student filmmakers to compose an original score for their short film. Then, under his direction, Mayfield musicians will learn and perform the score—just like a professional film orchestra.
What will unfold over the next month is a real-world, music industry intensive. Mr. Repetto will work closely with student filmmakers to compose an original score for their short film. Then, under his direction, Mayfield musicians will learn and perform the score—just like a professional film orchestra.
“This is the kind of experience that sparks creative thinking and leads to the discovery of a student’s untapped gifts,” said Conservatory for the Arts Chair and instrumental music teacher Christin Hablewitz. “Not only that, but we are also bringing together multiple art forms so that student artists can learn about what it means to collaborate.”
Mayfield’s Conservatory for the Arts faculty, all working artists and professionals, bring a wealth of experience and love for the arts to students participating one of nine conservatory programs, including music, film and media, visual arts, theatre and dance.
For this conservatory collaboration, the classes engaged in Scoring 101.
Yellow paper?
“Imagine being under studio lights for three hours—your eyes get tired,” Mr. Repetto said. “It’s easier on musicians to use yellow paper for the their score.”
Click track?
It’s the audible metronome signal the conductor hears through headphones during recording. Precise synchronization between film and music is key to the job.
Finally, a lively discussion unfolded on the all important “spotting session.”
When the filming and editing phases of a production are complete, Mr. Repetto said, the film and music director meet for spotting sessions to discuss what types of music will be used in the project.
“As a composer you are trying to figure out what the director wants, so ask them to speak about the emotion of scenes in a film,” Mr. Repetto told the young musicians. He advised the filmmakers “to be specific about what you are trying to accomplish for the scene” when talking to composers.
“Speak about emotion,” he said. “How do you want the audience to feel?”
As the Mayfield filmmakers reviewed their short film with Mr. Repetto, they asked for “a burst of energy” here, a “slower part” there and, in another scene, “a sense of peace.”
When the score was presented to students, Mr. Repetto had clearly marked phrasing. Musicians play “fast with energy” in one part, “slightly slower, delicate” in another and “slow and sweet” in other measures.
In the coming weeks Mr. Repetto will refine the score with our student filmmakers and conduct the orchestra rehearsal. The grand debut of the film—with live music—will be performed at the annual Music in May concert.
But until then, just like Hollywood keeps big projects secret until the red carpet preview, our own Mayfield artists are keeping their project under wraps.
So save the date: May 19, the big reveal during Music in May.
No comments have been posted
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
