Subject Guide: Screen Music

The Study of Orchestration has set the standard for orchestration texts, providing a comprehensive treatment of both orchestration and instrumentation. It’s an excellent, in-depth reference to writing for orchestra, covering information idiomatic to each family, including instrumental construction, range, and tone; articulations; and scoring techniques. The book is packed full of useful diagrams and score excerpts. The AFTRS Library also holds the companion multimedia CD set with extensive audio examples to complement book material.

First published in 1997, Gilreath's guide is the premiere text on creating realistic emulations of a symphony orchestra using samplers and computer recording techniques. The book is written for composers and arrangers of all levels, and will be helpful to screen composers, traditional orchestral composers, music instructors, and serious hobbyists. Highlights include in-depth discussions of each orchestral section; demonstrations on how to build an orchestra from the ground up; techniques for achieving balance and musical interest; recommendations for software and equipment; and details on setting up a network of 'slave computers'. Includes a companion website (www.focalpress.com/cw/gilreath-9780240814131/) with enhanced content including orchestral library reviews, audio files and video demonstrations.

Suitable for all levels of students and professionals, this is a thorough introduction to the procedures and technical issues involved in mastering digital and analog audio. Katz discusses audio philosophy and art; sequencing, levelling; and mixing as it relates to mastering. The book begins with the basics (e.g. monitoring, dithering fundamentals) before moving to more advanced concepts like jitter and clocking, and multi-channel audio, miking, and acoustics.

Featuring recorded musical examples performed by Henry Mancini (The Pink Panther, Peter Gunn), this is an inspiring and visual guide to orchestration with a jazz and big band slant. It is filled with score samples and includes sections on woodwind, brass, the rhythm section, and strings. A CD is included to follow along with the printed scores.

This 24 part instructional video series begins with a brief history of sound recording and goes on to cover practicalities of recording sound and music in comprehensive detail. Parsons looks at everything from soundproofing to mixing, and from recording guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and vocals, to recording a choir. Features input from professional sound engineers & producers.

Directed by David Jeffcock
This documentary series, written and presented by British composer Howard Goodall, looks at melody, rhythm, harmony and bass to establish how music is made and how it comes to reflect different cultures. Goodall uncovers elements shared by vastly different styles of music across time and place. Following a trail of diverse musical talents from Mahler to David Bowie; the blues to Bulgarian folk songs; medieval choral music to disco; he reveals the tricks of the composer's trade.

Directed by Abigail Hedderwick
This 7 part TV series examines how music has become an integral part of movie-making, and attempts to answer the question 'What are the characteristics of a great score?'. A selection of screen composers, including Rachel Portman, Michael Kamen, Patrick Doyle, Elmer Goldstein and Elliot Goldenthal discuss film scores they have written for various genres, the way they work, and their influences. Producers, directors and sound designers also discuss the effect of music on the final film.

Directed by Matt Schrader
This documentary brings Hollywood's premier composers together and gives viewers a look inside the musical challenges and creative secrecy of scoring for film. It features interviews with nearly 60 composers, directors, orchestrators, studio musicians, producers, recording artists, music executives, agents and journalists.