http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php Copyright 2008, Scott Buckley Scott Buckley en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.8 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071205-103234 The Overcast Podcast - #25

In this neato podcast on Machinima, I get a short but incredibly sweet mention. Now, watch as my head expands to the size of a halloween novelty pumpkin.

Thanks to Ricky for letting me know :)

-s]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071205-103234 Scott Buckley Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:32:34 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=12&entry=entry071205-103234 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071204-015307 Qinazer - 'Protocol' (YouTube)

A couple of friends of mine back in Ozzieland and their funky brand of music - QINAZER, the bane of Kanye West! Check them out!

-s]]> Misc http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071204-015307 Scott Buckley Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:53:07 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=12&entry=entry071204-015307 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071204-003618
It isn't Shakespeare, and rightfully so; the premise of Hitman has always been about the shooting and the killing, and the various methods of doing so. In this respect, Hitman achieves 5 stars. Sure, it ain't that amazing Kung Fu choreography you see in awesome Asian films, but it's full of guns and girls and lots of fake blood. Hooah!

Where this film let me down was the large amount of hybrid orchestral/electronic music underscoring pretty much 96.7% of the film. Composer Geoff Zanelli sculpted a fairly cool score (albiet very John Powell/ Bourne-esque), but in my opinion there was just too much of it. Quite a number of scenes would definately have had more dramatic tension and grounding if there wasn't any music to mickey mouse the unfolding drama. God knows the film was predictable enough without help!

For once, I would like to see a blockbuster film that uses music sparingly, and only when it's going to add something to the scene, not take away. I remember a scene in 'Ronin'; an amazing car chase sequence of probably 10 minutes of screen time- completely music free. The only underscoring was the roar of the cars' engines, and the steely looks of the drivers' faces. I wonder, if Ronin was made a few years later, would such a decision have been made... or would the music supervisor just smack a rock-tronica cue over the top and call it action?

Perhaps I'm forgetting that it was probably some other film executive's fault that Hitman was overscored and not Geoff Zanelli's. Perhaps I'm also forgetting that Geoff probably had some crazy close-to overnight turnaround and that it's a miracle in itself that the film got scored at all (as always). But the moral of this story brings me to one of the GOLDEN RULES OF FILM SCORING, which composers and filmmakers alike should take heed of. And that is a question of -

'Does this scene require music?'.

If not, it makes my life easier ;)

-s]]> Theories & Observations http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071204-003618 Scott Buckley Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:36:18 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=12&entry=entry071204-003618 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071130-014922 Klein + Hummel 0300 active studio monitors.

Now, I'm pretty naive about all things top end, but I'd never heard of KH until yesterday. Unbeknownst to me, this speakers friggin' rock. Apparently Stevie Wonder used to buy these all the time, but kept on blowing them up. There ya go.

Anyway, now I get the hand-me-down monitors, which I have no problems with because they sound better than the stupid Sony sound system Im using to write on at the moment, which at one point harboured a dangerous looking black spider which could have been a Black Widow. Nasty.

Sleep time...

-s]]> Musings http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071130-014922 Scott Buckley Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:49:22 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=11&entry=entry071130-014922 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071117-014153
Well - for all you non-Australians, here is the rundown:

"Vegemite is an Australian-made spread made from yeast extract, and is one of the worlds richest concentrations of Vitamin B, also known as Folate, or Folic Acid. Knowledge of this led silly American stockists everywhere to take it off their shelves because by US Law the only products allowed to have high concentrations of Folic Acid are breadstuffs and... uh... something else. Whatever...

Vegemite is great on hot toast with melted butter, or as is on a sandwich, or with cheese or avocado. The trick is to use sparingly - Vegemite is a strong beast and too much can make you pull strange faces, although many Australians are immune to the stuff in large quantities too... just takes time!"

The last few days at work have been fun - I did a couple of remix tracks for a Madagascar computer game ad, and I did a prelude intro to 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' for a film trailer. Silly small things make me smile.

*Snoooooze*...

-s


]]> Musings http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071117-014153 Scott Buckley Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:41:53 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=11&entry=entry071117-014153 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071019-221923

Finally, I come around to making a post on this damn thing...

HI GUYS! I'm writing from my computer at work, in the grand ole town that the locals call Los Angeles. It's a pretty neat town... I have my likes and dislikes, but LA is not without its definate charms.

I do like that I can get away with alot of things by just playing up on the naive Australian thing. Works like a charm.

I currently work for a small music studio focusing on writing music for film trailers. It's an awesome job... so awesome that I can hardly call it a job. I get to write music all day and get paid for it, so thats pretty much all I can ask for really.

I've only been here a few months, but already I've experienced so much music-wise that its hard to keep up, and is rather daunting. University teaches you alot, but so much is also learnt from actually doing in a professional environment. I'm pretty much treating this as a 2nd music degree... so much to learn!

I have a cute little 1-bedroom place not too far from work. I've learnt how to get around on the bus network, and I've also bought a bike, which has lead to me loosing quite a few kilos from all the riding I've been doing. Can't complain there... I could always stand to loose a few!

The best thing is that in about a week's time, my fiance Amanda will also be joining me over here, which will probably help alot in combating the home sickness I experience at even and frequent intervals.

Anyway... now that I've actually gotten around to making this first post over here in the US, I will hopefully do this a little more often. So much I'm learning and seeing - alot of which I can't really share with the outside internet world, but I'm sure there will always be something interesting to post about.

Cheers guys!

-s]]> Musings http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry071019-221923 Scott Buckley Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:19:23 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=10&entry=entry071019-221923 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070616-173020

Well... that dreaded time has come for me to board a plane and become an Alien in the US! Most of you know that TODAY (Sunday 17th June) is the day I fly out of Brisbane, headed for the glossy city known as Los Angeles.

I'm bloody anxious about it all, but hey... progress! This blog will probably change a little in focus, from being just about music, to just about ME! So, I'll be posting stories, photos and knick knacks from my travels in the LA LA Land... yeah... that might be interesting :)

So... until next time!

-s

'Leavin' on a jetplane... I don't know when I'll be back again...']]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070616-173020 Scott Buckley Sat, 16 Jun 2007 21:30:20 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=06&entry=entry070616-173020 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070602-010552
Alongside some awesome major prizes (including pretty much a full semi-pro M-Audio/Digidesign studio setup to take home), you also get the opportunity to have your piece played by 'Ensemble Offspring', at an awards concert held at the Sydney Conservatorium.

I think anyone with even a hair of a flair for writing music should think about having a go at this. I dare say its definately worth writing for!

Check out the details here!]]> Events http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070602-010552 Scott Buckley Sat, 02 Jun 2007 05:05:52 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=06&entry=entry070602-010552 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070308-183136

Most of you have probably heard of Charlotte Church; a young lass with the voice of an angel, who started her career singing alot of classical and folk pieces that made even the most hardened rocker cry.

Some of you may also know that she recently released her first foray out of the world of classicism, and into the skewed world of pop, with her album 'Tissues and Issues'. Apparently, this is like her 'coming of age' album. Yup.

Anyway, the reason why I'm posting about this... I was at the Indooroopilly JB last night, and was hunting through the classical section for some good listening, when I stumbled across the title card that said 'Charlotte Church'. Randomly, I glanced into her collection, and saw this album.

This album of pop music. Sitting in between Chopin and Czerny.

Needless to say I was appalled, but I failed to do anything about it. But this poor girl is probably rightly poor, because so-called 'Music Specialists' don't even know where music should be placed. I mean... does the cover even look like a classical album? Poor Charlotte Church has been pidgeon-holed, and her teen-centric album is being targeted to 60-year olds and classical freaks like me. What a waste.

I've heard some of the tracks on her website, and although they don't break any new ground, they still deserve to be heard by some impressionable 15-year old.

GIVE CHARLOTTE A CHANCE! (T-shirts on sale next week).

-s]]> Theories & Observations http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070308-183136 Scott Buckley Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:31:36 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070308-183136 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070306-173207

With the imminent release of '300', an epic film telling the story of 300 Spartan warriors defending their nation against an army of Persians, Soundtrack.net released a sneak-peak listen to the soundtrack composed by Tyler Bates.

Fusing harsh but suitable electronic elements with a massive orchestra and choir, this soundtrack is going to be an outstanding experience in modern film-scoring mastery.

Here is the link to the article, and the sneak-peak mp3s:

http://www.soundtrack.net/features/article/?id=220.

And for anyone who has not seen the trailer for this film... prepare to get excited:

[url=http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/300/hd/]http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/300/hd/[/url].

Enjoy!

(PS. I want no word of the fact that I haven't posted anything for months!...)]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry070306-173207 Scott Buckley Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:32:07 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070306-173207 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061220-030037
These tips are particularly helpful for composers who are looking for LIFESTYLE pointers to help make their life easier. Take them or leave them, but I have found them to be quite helpful...



1. It's Not a Job, It's a Lifestyle

A real musician doesn't think of their music as a job, they think of it as a lifestyle. The music industry is a very cold and ruthless beast, and those who succeed don't just work in the industry; they live, eat and breath it... 9am-5pm has no meaning at all!

For the uninitiated, make sure you do something every day which you think will benefit your career. That might just be a website update, or writing a new track, or reading a book/magazine/website about playing or recording techniques. Learn to combine your music into your everyday schedule; that will mean you are making a commitment to your lifelong music career.


2. Partner with someone who knows your plight as a Musician

Finding a partner in life is hard at the best of times (well, it wasn't for me as I got it right the first time ;)...), but when you are a composer/musician who works passionately towards achieving great things in their career, its even harder to find someone who can understand and nurture that passion.

Ever wonder why most musicians have multiple marriages? It's commonly because the partner who isn't a musician fails to understand the amount of passion and drive a musician needs to have to succeed in their business. For a musician, they don't have a job, they have an all-comsuming lifestyle, and many people just don't get that.

That's why finding someone who understands what you do is very important. They will understand when you have late nights to meet deadlines, or when you loose your Fridays and Saturday nights to travel to gigs. They will understand that you value your music very highly; sometimes over the benefit of others! We are a special breed, and it takes a very special someone to put up with us!


3. Know Your Work Rhythm

Your body; both mentally and physically, will cycle through different levels of energy and activity during the day. By knowing the ebb and flow of these energy levels, you can make better decisions about when you should be creatively writing music, or when you should sitting on the couch watching the cricket!

At present, I have found that my peak time for writing music is in the morning, straight after I have woken up. My mind is rested, and I have the ability to work several hours straight without flinching (I do stop for lunch though). Late afternoon sees me slump as I get tired and frustrated with Sonar's wicked ways; at which point I stop work and grab a bite to eat, or even get out of the house and have a coffee!

If I am on a deadline, or feel that I need to do more work, I tend to have another peak time later in the evening after dinner, at which point I can work for another few hours before heading to bed (not usually too late unless it really is a big deadline).

By understanding when these hours of efficiency, I can make sure my hours are spent writing good music, instead of getting stuck in a hole. These hours do tend to change over time as well... there was once a time when I was a nightowl, and mornings were completely frustrating times to write music! Just keep a subjective eye on your mood and efficiency.


4. Creativity Starts in the Home

Be sure to create a work environment that is conducive to creativity and efficiency. A messy studio can make even the most spritely of musicians bummed out, so make sure you run a clean ship.

Be aware of lighting... harsh, direct lighting tends to be annoying and unproductive in a creative environment... look to more ambient light from lamps and subtle ceiling lights.

Furniture aids in both creating a nice looking studio, as well as making the room efficient and healthy. A good chair for long sessions is essential; something that will support your back and isn't so cushy as to send you to sleep. Desks and rack equipment should look good, but should also be positioned to allow you to work quickly, without too much shifting and turning.


Other Random Tips:

- Sign up to APRA (or your equivalent royalties association in your country). Its FREE, and you will get MONEY if your music is used or performed in professional productions or performances. You are stupid if you don't!

- Make friends with other people in the industry, especially across different disciplines such as film, television, drama and the arts. These people might end up being your clients in the future!

- Be prepared to be broke; not every music project is a financial success from the word 'go'.

- Be prepared to get bad reviews and knock-backs. Not everyone succeeds straight away; success can take time.

- Don't expect to become famous. If you expect too much, you will be dissapointed. If you DO become famous, then don't let it go to your head. People will refuse to deal with you if you do. Also, don't forget the millions of little guys out there just waiting for their break.

- If the music isn't coming, don't force it. If you force it, you will find yourself resenting your music.

- Just because you have $100,000 worth of samplers, synths and libraries, it does not mean you are good. Learn your resources back to front, and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most expensive libraries around still have patches that can be beat with something worth $50.


That's all I can think of at the moment... I'm sure there are more, and when I get enough for a 'part 2', I will be sure to post it right here!

Hope it helps somewhat! :P

-s
]]> Theories & Observations http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061220-030037 Scott Buckley Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:00:37 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=06&m=12&entry=entry061220-030037 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061218-164428

I kinda dislike personal posts... but I suppose I should share a brief overview of what's being happening in my life recently:

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I am now a professional composer!

In the last few years, I have been working a little for a trailer music company called boomerang! Music, based in Los Angeles, CA. I've been learning the ways of trailer music; a mysterious artform carried down through the years which, if executed succesfully, can lead to fun gigs and a nice income.

Recently, I have been ramping up the work effort with boomerang! (yes, thats how it's presented!)... leaving me with little choice but to leave my day job at Binary Designs, a job I have had for close to 7 years. Although I'm really gonna miss the guys at work, and the discounts on music software and hardware (!), I suddenly feel the urge to move on. And I'm REALLY excited!

I got my first trailer placement too; in the form of 'Epic Movie' (my music is straight up and finishes just before the wardrobe malfunction :P).

I also got ENGAGED to Amanda, my partner of 6 years (so I suppose it's about time). The important thing is, she LOVES the rock! We also found a new place to rent; very cute and very livable. And it has a DISHWASHER! Ooo yeah.

I feel good. Although theres lots of hard work to be done to make this new vocation of mine possible, I can't wait to get started!

WOOT WOOT!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We will now resume regular programming.

-s]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061218-164428 Scott Buckley Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:44:28 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=06&m=12&entry=entry061218-164428 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061218-162129
See, we successful and popular musicians are sometimes just too busy to create even short posts on what are commonly known as web logs. Seeing as I have time right now to write a post, you might be wondering whether I have lost either my sucess for popularity. The answer is...

-s]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061218-162129 Scott Buckley Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:21:29 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=06&m=12&entry=entry061218-162129 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061109-173037

I just found out this morning, courtesy of Filmtracks.com that respected and loved composer Basil Poledouris has lost his fight with cancer, at the age of 61.

Basil composed the soundtracks to many hollywood blockbusters such as Conan the Barbarian, The Hunt for Red October, and my favourite: Starship Troopers, a film which I think would have completely sucked, if it were not for Basil's almost scathing, militiristically cliche score.

Here is a complete list of film credits under Basil's name:

2003
• The Touch
• The Legend of Butch and Sundance
• Paul Bunyan

2001
• Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles
• Love and Treason

2000
• Cecil B. Demented
• If These Walls Could Talk 2

1999
• For Love of the Game
• Kimberly
• Mickey Blue Eyes

1998
• Les Miserables

1997
• Breakdown
• Starship Troopers
• Switchback

1996
• Amanda
• It's My Party

1995
• Free Willy 2 : The Adventure Home
• Under Siege 2 : Dark Territory

1994
• Lassie
• On Deadly Ground
• Robocop : The Series
• Serial Mom
• The Jungle Book (Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book)

1993
• Free Willy
• Robocop 3

1992
• Hot Shots, Part Deux!
• Ned Blessing
• Wind

1991
• Flight Of The Intruder
• Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man
• Return To The Blue Lagoon
• White Fang

1990
• Quigley Down Under
• The Hunt For Red October

1989
• Farewell To The King
• L.A. Takedown
• Lonesome Dove
• Why Me?
• Wired

1988
• Intrigue
• Spellbinder (Witching Hour)
• Split Decisions

1987
• Amerika
• Island Sons
• No Man's Land
• Robocop

1986
• Cherry 2000
• Iron Eagle

1985
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents
• Flesh + Blood
• Misfits Of Science

1984
• Amazons
• Conan The Destroyer
• Making The Grade
• Protocol
• Red Dawn
• Single Bars, Single Women

1982
• Conan The Barbarian
• Fire On The Mountain
• Summer Lovers

1981
• A Whale For The Killing
• The House Of God (H.O.G.)

1980
• Defiance
• The Blue Lagoon

1979
• 90028
• Dolphin

1978
• Big Wednesday

1977
• Tintorera - The Silent Death

1973
• Extreme Close-Up

1971
• Congratulations, It's A Boy!


Another prominent composer down. You will be missed buddy!

-s


]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061109-173037 Scott Buckley Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:30:37 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=06&m=11&entry=entry061109-173037 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061108-202149
http://www.machinima.com/article.php?article=455

I'm very pleased to inform you all that 'Edge of Remorse' picked up awards for:

- Best Direction (Jason Choi)
- Best Visual Design (Jason Choi)

Congratulations Jason! You really are the man!

And congratulations to all the winners!

(Yes, I know, I didn't win Best Original Music, but hey... lets just move on shall we? :P)

-s]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061108-202149 Scott Buckley Thu, 09 Nov 2006 01:21:49 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=06&m=11&entry=entry061108-202149 http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061028-182054
- Best Overall Film
- Best Drama/Action, 1st Place

See the rest of the results here.

A big thankyou to everyone who watched, supported and voted for the film! I also have to thank Jason Choi and Ricky Grove, the director and sound designer for the film. It is always a pleasure to work with professionals.

YAY!!!!]]> Announcements http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/index.php?entry=entry061028-182054 Scott Buckley Sat, 28 Oct 2006 22:20:54 GMT http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/blog/comments.php?y=06&m=10&entry=entry061028-182054