Making music. Part 2

Following my previous question, I was apprehensive; however, I knew what tone and mood I wished to convey and felt I had nothing to lose by exploring this option. I wanted to be mindful of this opportunity. I considered this a ‘Plan B’ under the circumstances that my musician refused to accept any formal agreement, especially as I had limited time to find or develop a piece that fit the film's duration and tone.

I researched various software I could use and decided to use the app ‘Garageband’, which was easily accessible and free. I further studied online how to produce ambient music utilising the interface. It did not give me the specific information in simplistic terms for achieving this outcome; however, it provided a step-by-step tutorial and selection of instruments.

Research Tutorial:

DjMetaljack (2018) Dark Ambient Creepy Music Tutorial (GarageBand iPad Edition). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2dZEpDl7ws (Accessed: 10 August 2023).

Feeling I could potentially accomplish the ambience music I required and also being an excellent opportunity to explore a new skill, I contacted the musician, expressing my thanks and gratitude for all his time and effort on this film. However, following his advice concerning creating music and recent concerns with the contract, it was regrettable that our collaboration would not go any further.

Afterwards, I went on Garageband and explored the different sound effects and instruments. At this stage, it was about experimentation and identifying what instruments could help me achieve the intended outcome. Eventually, I found a selection of sounds and instruments suitable and thus went on editing.

I found editing and blending the sounds collected rather challenging on the app, primarily due to its limitations and interface. I decided to use Adobe Premiere to edit the music as it was a software I had more experience in. For further assistance, I collaborated with a friend and family member. Although they lacked knowledge concerning musical composition, it was unnecessary; they understood me, the film and what I was hoping to achieve and thus could give me advice and suggestions while making the music. Concerning effects for the music, I lowered the pitch and stretched the duration of the audio to align the piece with the tone I hoped to achieve.

What this experience has shown me is that although trust is a necessary component when working with others, particularly when it comes to skills one may not have, ultimately, another factor for collaboration also includes the ability for both the director and musician to be on the same wavelength when it comes to vision and to work harmoniously with each other. Unfortunately, this did not happen in my case, despite attempts to resolve our issues. However, I discovered I could create a soundtrack conveying mood and emotion, and perhaps I am more musically inclined than I initially thought before this process.