Specialism: Composer, Orchestrator, Arranger, Performer, Music Editor, Producer

Specialism in Film Music

Each role in the creation of film music has a unique set of responsibilities and skills. For this section of the exam, you’ll need to grasp the specialised roles involved in the production of film music, including the composer, orchestrator, arranger, performer, music editor, and producer.

Composer

A composer is responsible for creating original music for the film. This includes both the melodic content and the conceptual ideas behind the work.
The composer will often consider the movie’s narrative, setting, and character development in their compositions.
Prominent film composers include John Williams and Hans Zimmer.

Orchestrator

The orchestrator turns the composer’s work into a full score for the orchestra.
They determine which instruments will play certain parts of the music and how they will interact.
Orchestrators can also adjust the composer’s music to better suit the size and skill set of the available orchestra.

Arranger

An arranger alters, interprets, and adapts the music created by the composer.
This could involve reworking the music for different instruments, or altering the structure of the pieces.
Depending on the project, arrangers may have more or less freedom to make significant changes to the music.

Performer

Performers are the musicians who play the music.
They can range from soloists to full symphony orchestras, and they bring the composer’s, arranger’s, and orchestrator’s ideas to life.
The type of performers required will depend on the specificity of the score.

Music Editor

A music editor works closely with the composer, and their work begins once the original score is complete.
Their tasks include synchronising the music with the film, making cuts or alterations as needed, and sometimes selecting and placing additional, non-original music.
The music editor helps to ensure that the score enhances the film’s narrative and emotional drive.

Producer

The music producer, in the context of film music, may take on a variety of roles.
These roles can range from managing the budget, to organising recording sessions, to broader artistic choices about the overall sound and feel of the music.
The music producer has to balance the creative vision of the composer and director, with practical aspects of the production.