Hunger Games Trailer Music

I found this on Sebastian Wolff's Website.  Here's his post:

If you’ve read The Hunger Games books, you’re most likely as excited for the movie as I am. Is it March yet?
The teaser trailer that debuted back in November struck a note with me (get it?), and I decided to arrange some sheet music the featured song, “Deep Shadow”.
The song is by T.T.L., the electro-industrial duo of Tying Tiffany and Lorenzo Montana. The song was released by ZerOKilled Music and it’s available for purchase by the label. Go buy it and support the musicians who create the music you love.

 Here's the link to his post with the sheet music.  Enjoy the epic music.
Sebastian Wolff

Okay a new trailer is out for Filmodus Operandi (with music composed by me).  Its a movie that I am working on the music for.  It'll be coming out sometime in February.  Here is the link to the website.  The trailer is on the main page in a bigger screen.
I will release a soundtrack after I am done with the score.
Enjoy!

Filmodus Operandi Trailer HD from Project Merge on Vimeo.

A Good Article

I really am a big fan of Benjamin Botkin's music and ideas on that subject.  He wrote this article a while ago and I found it profound.  It was written on the subject on whether he would write the music to secular movies.
I had struggled with that question as well.  As a Christian would it be right to compose music for a secular film.  Here is the article:

"Here is an excerpt of a letter I recently received from a young composer. As it turns out, I am a young composer as well, but I digress.

Dear Ben,
Would you score a “non-Christian” film? Would you score How to Train Your Dragon? How about Inception? The Dark Knight? Star Wars? Why or why not?
I think you see where I’m going with my questions. I don’t want to compromise on principle, but at the same time I don’t want to go further than God would have me to, and myopically pursue my own standard of holiness.
Just as a Christian mechanic would fix a non-believer’s car, would I as a Christian composer grant the gravity and power that good music gives to a film to a non-Christian filmmaker?

Dear _______,

I understand where you’re coming from, as these are questions I have had to (and still do) ask myself.

Would I fix an unbeliever’s car? Assuming I knew anything about fixing cars, needed the money to support my family, or thought it was a good opportunity to minister to someone, then yeah. Sure I would.
But would I fix an unbeliever’s TANK that’s threatening Christian homes?
No way! But in reality that is what many Hollywood films are built to do. They’re spiritually deadly, often directed toward taking down Christian families, and are generally effective in that goal.
If I was a mechanic I should instead work to build a bigger, better tank to defeat Hollywood’s and defend what is right and true. This is what a “replacement” film industry would mean.

Would you score a “non-Christian” film? Would you score How to Train Your Dragon? How about Inception? The Dark Knight? Star Wars? Why or why not?

It is tempting to just accept the culturally defined labels “Christian” and “Secular” and let them decide for us what our involvement in film is going to be, but we really need to test both definitions against the standard of the Word to see where they stack up. Thus, every project will need to be examined on a case-by-case basis.
I would not score Inception, Dark Knight, or Star Wars because the messages of these films are not ones I could promote or advance through my involvement–at least not in good conscience. Not only do I think that these particular movies are destructive, but they drive me crazy on a personal level because the messages those films promote are ones I have had to deal with or fight against in real life and now have a very biased position against.
If I was offered How To Train Your Dragon, that would be a tougher decision–the same goes for Pixar’s Up. Both of these films have some elements I really like (notably, their music, which would not be there if I was), and both of these films include messages which seem to align more closely to the messages of scripture than those of, unfortunately, many “Christian” films I have seen! This is not meant to be a “kudos” for Pixar or Dreamworks as much as it is to be a rebuke for the Christian film industry.
But there are some obvious problems with these films. For example, in HTTYD I would have to decide if the father-son and Hiccup-Astrid relationships in the film were handled in such a way that I could associate myself with them and be comfortable facing my Creator on judgment day, expecting to hear “well done, my good and faithful servant.” I mean, the director would ask me to compose this big romantic swell when the teen lead gawks at the modern, domineering, and feministic love interest. The problems with that image run several layers deep.
But even if a film project is not thoroughly putrid and heinous, that doesn’t mean I have a sworn duty to accept the job. I run into a lot of Christians who don’t seem to believe that they’ve been given the authority to say “no” to a political candidate, job offer, or just the world in general… missing a key principle of Christian ambassadorship: Christianity has never been about doing what was merely “okay” but what was RIGHTEOUS and best.
“Can I justify investing the Lord’s time in this endeavor?” is at least as important a question as “Does this movie have problematic and immoral content?” and possibly more so. Any three-year old can be taught to point out objectionable elements X,Y,and Z, but few truly cultivate the discernment to know how to maximize their time on earth.
I’m an ambassador of Christ, and I can’t afford to spend my life solely doing stuff that any non-Christian can do—even if that “stuff” is not “bad.” Let the dead bury their own dead, and let’s be about the reconciliation of the world to Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:18,19,20), and be the leaders of projects that WE have control over and an industry that WE have control over. Let’s put ourselves in situations where WE can be the ones who choose, and the world has to settle.
My suggestion for you is this: dig into the Word more and more to discover what things please the Lord and what things don’t. This will build in you the right theological and moral framework for making those life-and-death decisions that will affect your life… and death.
What on earth would compel a film composer to turn down a $400,000 composition contract from PIXAR (!) besides religious conviction? Study to show yourself approved (2Ti 2:15), and make sure your religious convictions (everyone has them, atheists included) are sound.
Recently I’ve had to re-think my time-allocation paradigm as I’ve been convicted of these very things, primarily at Vision Forum’s Independent Christian Filmmaker’s Academy. For a long time I had just kind of assumed that I was going to be a music guy for… always, but I can’t be a slave to that assumption if the Lord would have more important things for me to do elsewhere.
As a result, I’ve turned down some composition opportunities recently that, in earlier years, I would have leapt for joy at. I didn’t say “no” because those projects contained grossly unacceptable content, but so I could tackle some non-musical endeavors that I believe are a more important investment of my (the Lord’s) time.
I’m glad you’re asking these sorts of questions now in your life instead of later. The man who plans to stand before kings (the skilled in their work [Pro 22:29], something every Christian must be) should determine where his convictions lie before he’s asked to be Hollywood’s cupbearer, mechanic, or musician."

I encourage you to go to his website/blog.  It has many insightful articles.  Even if you aren't a composer.  If you are in any way involved in making movies I would read some his articles.

12:01

I found this short film a while ago.  I just now thought about posting it.
The music is what I really like about this film.  Listen to the piano solo through the movie.
Also pay attention and see if you can figure out the ending.  It almost has a sort of inception twist at the end.

If you don't quite get it here's the link to the extended version of this film.


http://vimeo.com/11853186

I'm also working on getting some sheet music for it as well.  I will post it as soon as I get it.

Soundcloud

Soundcloud is a internet based music sharing site.  Its free to use and you can upload and share your tracks.
I just started using them and I am uploading music clips to most of the sheet music.
So check it out. :)

Grafted The Movie

So right now I'm working on two movies:
One is a documentary on adoption.  Its going to be entered into the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.   I 'm part of the crew, I help with whatever needs to be done.  Its not that glorious but working with friends on a movie is so much fun that the work is enjoyable.
They've started a blog about their progress.  Here it is.
Enjoy!
The other movie I will announce as soon as their website is up.  Which shouldn't be too long.
So stay tuned for more info. :)

It is Well With My Soul

Another song that I absolutely LOVE.  So add that genre to the enormous list of genre's that I love.  The story behind this hymn is so amazing.  Horatio Spafford wrote this hymn after his family had died.  If that isn't a complete trust in God, then I don't know what is.  I pray that if that ever happens to me that I will have the same response he had.

So I rearranged it into C, so I could play it with more finesse.
Enjoy.
For sheet music click here.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul, 
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford
  

How to Train Your Dragon Sheet Music

Now I did not write these arrangements of How to Train Your Dragon music.(I wish I did though)
This guy arranges soundtrack pieces and other things.  These pieces are great for any of you aspiring musicians.  I will warn you though, some of the pieces on there are for a advanced pianist.  His 'easy piano' versions are easier to learn and they don't sound easy at all.
Click Here to go to the site.
Happy playing!

Cool Song

Now usually I like more classical music and contemporary christian music.  I found this off a site of a guy who arranges stuff from movies. 
This song is from the game Portal 2.  Its the ending song.  I really like it.  This guy arranged it into a piano piece.
Click here to get the Sheet Music

Here's the video with the actual music.

New Piano Piece

A couple weeks ago I composed a three part sonata.  I just have been busy lately so I haven't had time to put it up. 
Check the sheet music tab for the new piece.

A Summer's Chill Music

Here's the soundtrack to A Summer's Chill.
Sorry its a little late but here it is.

Life, Music

I've been playing around with Allegro and I just composed this little tune.