My new YouTube series. Light-hearted and accessible video essays on the musical score and soundtracks of some of my favourite films. Each episode is half essay, and half a play-through and discussion of my MIDI recreations of one of my favourite cues from each score.

Corrections: Schindler’s List is 1993 not 2002, and David Raksin is misspelled. Scoring Points: Maestro - On the Music of Minority Report (Episode 9) In this episode, we explore the overlooked but fascinating score for Minority Report (2002), composed by The Maestro himself, John Williams. Discover how this of many collaborations with teven Spielberg yielded a rich, "black and white" score, full of homages to scores past to trace a dystopian future. 📅 Episode Chapters: 00:03 - Intro 03:21 - Better Late than Never 04:05 - Williams Overview 07:42 - Minority Report's Tonal Shifts 10:44 - Movement 11:15 - Harmonic Movement 13:12 - Rhythmic Movement 14:51 - Polytonality / Polymodality 17:00 - Melody 19:37 - Woods - Minimalism/Maximalism and the Scherzo 23:00 - Metals and Glass 24:53 - Extended Techniques of Modernism 27:48 - Classical Needledrops 29:20 - In Sum 🔔 Join the Conversation! What’s your favourite John Williams score? Share your thoughts on MINORITY REPORT in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more film score deep dives and MIDI recreations. #MinorityReport #JohnWilliams #StevenSpielberg #FilmScore #VideoEssay #VideoEssay #MusicAnalysis #FilmAnalysis Literature References • Audissino, E., Coleman, L. and Tillman, J., 2021. Contemporary Film Music. London: Routledge. • Barham, J., 2009. Scoring incredible futures: Science fiction screen music, and ‘postmodernism’ as romantic epiphany. The Musical Quarterly, 91(3–4), pp.240–274. https://doi.org/10.1093/musqtl/gdp001 • Hill, A., 2017. Scoring the Screen: The Secret Language of Film Music. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard. • Lehman, F., 2013. Hollywood Cadences: Music and the Structure of Cinematic Expectation. [Publication details, e.g., journal or publisher, needed.] • Lehman, F., 2020. John Williams’s Action Music in the Twenty‑First Century. [Publication details, e.g., journal or publisher, needed.] • Leach, R., 2024. ACTION‑MUSIC HARMONY – A Conversation w/ Mark Richards [video]. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ2rRioN0Ig [Accessed 18 Jun. 2025]. • Orosz, J.W., 2013. Translating Music Intelligibly: Musical Paraphrase in the Long 20th Century [PhD thesis]. University of Minnesota. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/76345451.pdf [Accessed 18 Jun. 2025]. • Coleman, L. and Tillman, J., 2021. “John Williams does not use a computer…” In: Contemporary Film Music. Routledge, pp. 21–22. • Swanson, S., Becoming Human: The Signifying Elements of ‘Orga vs Mecha’ in John Williams’ Score to A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001). [Unpublished manuscript/personal essay.]

Scoring Points: The Echo Chamber - On the Music of Annihilation (Episode 8) N.B. a day after uploading this I considered a point that the Acoustic Guitar cue is the shimmer drawing on Lena's love of/connection to the Crosby Stills and Nash tune, creating a contorted double of that aspect of her outside life inside the shimmer, as it does with her house etc. but interdiegetically with her preferred music. The importance of this cue is explored more directly, as is the doubling visual motif, but I WISH I made this connection in time. But better late than never... In this episode, we explore the positively WEIRD score for Annihilation (2018), composed by Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak) and Ben Salisbury. Discover how their collaborations with Alex Garland use electronics, ambience and orchestra to conjure the weirdest, most unique and atmospheric scores. 📅 Episode Chapters: 0:10 - Intro (Director/Composer duos) 1:14 - A meeting of minds (Boyle, Garland, Barrow & Salisbury) 3:11 - Script to screen 4:45 - How “ambience” generates atmospheric meaning 12:26 - The Sonic Prism - The Shimmer’s musical representation 18:58 - Genre and instrumentation considerations for scene setting 22:12 - Hypereality via the Hyperorchestral 24:11 - The Alien - Soundtrack interplay with Moderat 30:20 - In Sum 🔔 Join the Conversation! What’s your favourite Barrow and Salisbury score? Share your thoughts on ANNIHILATION in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more film score deep dives and MIDI recreations. #annihilation #GeoffBarrow #BenSalisbury #AlexGarland #FilmScore #VideoEssay #VideoEssay #MusicAnalysis #FilmAnalysis Literature References • Casanelles, S. (n.d.) The hyperorchestra: A study of a virtual musical ensemble in film music that transcends reality. = • Riedel, F. and Torvinen, J. (eds.) (n.d.) Music as atmosphere: Collective feelings and affective sounds. = • Bruhn, J. and Hart, H. (n.d.) ‘Melting, blurring, moaning: Annihilation as narrative adaptation to planetary crisis?’ in Riedel, F. and Torvinen, J. (eds.) Music as atmosphere: Collective feelings and affective sounds. [Publisher details needed], pp. = • Zingaro, V. (n.d.) ‘Against music? Heuristics and sense-making in listening to contemporary popular music’. =. • Warner, R. (n.d.) The rebirth of suspense. • [Juliet Shooter] (2022) [Australian Aboriginal Didgeridoo]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aloRD_4AXDQ • [Orchestral Tools] (2025) [Svara: Interviewing a tanpura virtuoso]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l_Ife6lFUY

Scoring Points: Neo-Retrofuturism - On the Music of Blade Runner: 2049 (Episode 7) In this episode, we explore the incredible score of Blade Runner: 2049 (2017), composed by the legendary Hans Zimmer and (relative) newcomer Benjamin Wallfisch. Discover how their collaboration with Denis Villeneuve manages to follow and perhaps match the immortal score of the original Blade Runner film by Vangelis in an era of stagnating interest in reboots and requels. 📅 Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:09 Revisiting an Icon - On Requels 4:21 The Replicant Factory - Hans Zimmer's Remote Control Productions 5:20 What Could Have Been - Johannsson's Lost Score 8:46 On Synthesis - Vangelis and Yamaha's CS-80 12:00 On Scale - Hapticity and Thematic Amplification 15:16 Themes (Love, Soul and Foreign Cultures) 17:03 Comparative Analysis Between Blade Runner and 2049 24:32 Bad Guy's Theme 25:57 Casanelle's Hyperorchestra 27:18 Sonic Stoicism - Scoring Males and Females 29:44 In Sum 🔔 Join the Conversation! What’s your favourite Hans Zimmer or Benjamin Wallfisch score? Share your thoughts on Blade Runner: 2049 in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more film score deep dives and MIDI recreations. #BladeRunner #BladeRunner2049 #HansZimmer #BenjaminWallfisch #DenisVilleneuve #FilmScore #VideoEssay #Vangelis #VideoEssay Literature References Villeneuve, D. (2017) 'Denis Villeneuve explains why he wanted David Bowie in Blade Runner 2049', YouTube video. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jehrt7w2_WA (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Andy Whitmore Yamaha CS-80 Synth Demo | Iconic Riffs by Vangelis, ELO & More! Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnHQDkXlo1Q Pelly, L. (2017) 'Why Hans Zimmer replaced Johann Johannsson on Blade Runner 2049', Dazed. Available at: https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37720/1/blade-runner-2049-score-hans-zimmer-johann-johannsson (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Jamieson, A. (2021) 'Replicating the Blade Runner soundtrack', Ali Jamieson Blog. Available at: https://alijamieson.co.uk/2021/12/14/replicating-blade-runner-soundtrack/ (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Lane, A. (2021) 'Blade Runner 2049: A sonic analysis', Sonic Scope. Available at: https://www.sonicscope.org/pub/iatko5dg/release/4 (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Broxton, J. (2017) 'Blade Runner 2049: Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer', Movie Music UK. Available at: https://moviemusicuk.us/2017/10/10/blade-runner-2049-benjamin-wallfisch-and-hans-zimmer/ (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Lincroft, S. (n.d.) Blade Runner 2049: An analysis of visual and sonic design. Available at: https://sammylincroft.com/bladerunner2.pdf (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Wang, F (2018) 'Gender and race issues in Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049', Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/colored-lenses/gender-and-race-issues-in-blade-runner-and-blade-runner-2049-b2b84b51f45d (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Wikström, S. (2021) 'Female saxophone themes in film noir', Google Books.(Accessed: 23 January 2025). Robinson, D. (2022) 'The ugly truth of how movie scores are made', Vanity Fair. Available at: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/the-ugly-truth-of-how-movie-scores-are-made (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Logan's Pianos (n.d.) 'The Hans Zimmer debate', Logan’s Blog. Available at: https://www.loganspianos.com.au/blogs/logans-blog/the-hans-zimmer-debate (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Mera, M. (2016). Materialising Film Music McGlynn, J. D. (2020) 'Revisiting Vangelis: Sonic Citation and Narration in the Score for Blade Runner 2049' Sergi Casanelles Abella (2012) 'The hyperorchestra: A study of a virtual ensemble in film music that transcends reality', Academia.edu. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/11653212/The_Hyperorchestra_A_Study_of_a_Virtual_Ensemble_in_Film_Music_that_Transcends_Reality?auto=download&auto_download_source=social-news (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Criterion (2023) 'The evolution of synth soundtracks', Criterion Collection. Available at: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8515-the-evolution-of-synth-soundtracks (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Movie Music UK (2017) 'Blade Runner 2049: Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer', Movie Music UK. Available at: https://moviemusicuk.us/2017/10/10/blade-runner-2049-benjamin-wallfisch-and-hans-zimmer/ (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Teuwissen, P. (2007) Encyclopedia of Film Noir. Available at: https://teuwissen.ch/tirez/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Encyclopedia-of-Film-Noir-2007.pdf (Accessed: 23 January 2025). Hollywood Reporter (n.d.) 'Inside Hans Zimmer’s remote control', Hollywood Reporter. Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/inside-hans-zimmers-remote-controlbr-122858/ (Accessed: 23 January 2025).7y 'Blade Runner 2049: Behind the score', YouTube video. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b07U7DtAflY (Accessed: 23 January 2025).

🎶 Scoring Points: Post-Determined - On the Music of Arrival (Episode 3) 🚀 Let's explore the score for Arrival! Join me in this episode as we explore the deeply emotional and complex score of Arrival (2016), composed by the brilliant Jóhann Jóhannsson. We’ll dive into the unique techniques that make this score a perfect match for Denis Villeneuve’s visionary storytelling, blending minimalism with neo-classicism to create a haunting sonic experience. 📅 Episode Highlights: • 00:00 - Introduction • 1:13 - Arrival: A New Kind of Sci-Fi Score • 2:06 - Reality Making • 3:00 - Exploring Neo-Classicism in Film Scores • 4:06 - Director as Auteur, Composer as Muse • 6:54 - Jóhannsson’s Sonic Signature • 10:20 - A Meta Enigma: Music and Meaning • 11:27 - Language, Voice, and the Sound of Communication • 14:58 - Strings: Evoking Melancholy and Chaos • 18:51 - Summary • 20:18 - Midi Mockup: “One of Twelve” 🎧 What to Expect: We’ll break down some of Jóhann Jóhannsson’s groundbreaking compositional techniques from Arrival and beyond, highlighting how his use of strings, voice, and minimalist motifs create an atmosphere of both melancholy and mystery. Plus, I’ll share my MIDI mockup of the cue “One of Twelve,” recreated in Logic Pro X, where we’ll explore how Jóhannsson built tension and emotion through sound. 📚 Further Reading: Curious to learn more? Check out the literature references for fascinating discussions on film adaptations, auteur theory, and how Jóhannsson redefined modern film scores. 🔔 Don’t Miss Out! If you love exploring the art of film music and want to dive deeper into the scores behind your favorite movies, make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications! Let’s discuss the power of music in storytelling—leave a comment below with your thoughts! #Arrival #JóhannJóhannsson #DenisVilleneuve #FilmScore #MusicAnalysis #VideoEssay #JohannJohannsson Literature References: Arrival — Examining an Adaptation. (2017). YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTxvzkwVsQE. Willems, P. (2023). Who Is Killing Cinema? – A Murder Mystery. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQF82Kj-v0E. Hill, A. (2017) Scoring the screen: The secret language of film music. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Books. Editors on Editing: Arrival - Joe Walker, ACE. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxHOErwS9Bg. Fauria, K. (2023). Book Review: ‘Hitchcock’s Blondes’ wants to see old Hollywood stars not through the director’s gaze. [online] The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/alfred-hitchcock-ap-tippi-hedren-hollywood-b2426632.html [Accessed 28 Mar. 2024]. Jóhann Jóhannsson - Arrival (Trailer). (2016). YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsaRJ4j4xIo. #arrival #tedchang #denisvilleneuve #johannjohannsson #dune #sicario #filmscore #videoessay

EDIT: "Synthesizer Oscillator" should have been "Envelope" 🎶 Scoring Points: It Takes Two - On the music of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Episode 5) 🔍 Let's explore the score for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" In this episode, we analyze the groundbreaking score of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), composed by the iconic duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Explore how their fusion of electronic music, industrial sounds, and experimental techniques elevated the haunting atmosphere of David Fincher’s adaptation, defining a new era of film scoring. 📅 Episode Highlights: • 00:00 - Introduction • 00:48 - It Takes Two • 02:23 - Technology as a Character • 04:58 - Abstraction: Compositional Methods of Reznor & Ross • 06:43 - The Electronic Score: On Genre • 09:26 - Bells and Whistles: On Instrumentation • 11:47 - Samuel Chase’s ‘Misempathy’ • 16:02 - The Prepared Piano as a Timekeeper • 17:37 - ADSR 101: Synthesizer Envelope Explained • 19:44 - Scene Transitions and Diegesis • 22:53 - The New School: Pop Composers and Their Influence • 24:55 - AI and Machine Learning in Music Composition • 26:14 - In Summary • 27:47 - MIDI Mockup: “What If We Could?” 🎧 What to Expect: We dissect the incredible techniques used by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, looking at how technology, abstraction, and the blend of genres helped create one of the most influential soundtracks of the 21st century. Plus, I share my MIDI mockup of “What If We Could?” in Logic Pro X, offering a deep dive into their electronic approach. We’ll also discuss how AI and machine learning are reshaping the future of music composition! 📚 Further Reading: Want more insights into modern film scoring? Check out the references below for interviews, academic analyses, and behind-the-scenes looks at Reznor, Ross, and the changing landscape of experimental music in film. 🔔 Join the Conversation! Love film scores as much as I do? Subscribe and hit the notification bell for more in-depth analyses of your favourite soundtracks! Let me know in the comments what you think of Reznor and Ross’s score for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. #GWTDT #TrentReznor #AtticusRoss #FilmScore #DavidFincher #VideoEssay #TheSocialNetwork #TheGirlWithTheDragonTattoo #MilenniumTrilogy #SteigLarsson Literature References: Chase, S.J. (2020) Filminimalism: A multi-framework analysis of postminimalist techniques in contemporary film music: Embodied Cognition and Misempathetic Music in the film scores of Johann Johannsson, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and Mica Levi, Filminimalism: a multi-framework analysis of postminimalist techniques in contemporary film music: embodied cognition and misempathetic music in the film scores of Johann Johannsson, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and Mica Levi. thesis. University of Surrey. Chester, D. (2011) [interview] Trent Reznor discusses ‘the girl with the dragon tattoo’, The Film Stage - Your Spotlight On Cinema. Available at: https://thefilmstage.com/interview-trent-reznor-discusses-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo/ (Accessed: 01 September 2024). Gone Girl OST behind the scenes-Trent making a beat. (2015) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ-QOQAnGT0 (Accessed: 01 September 2024). Kobler, B. (no date) John Cage – The Perilous Night (1944), YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nq_Ux9HHxU (Accessed: 01 September 2024). Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (NIN) Break Down Their Most Iconic Tracks | GQ (2024) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BqJNEV9QVE&t=303s (Accessed: 01 September 2024). #gwtdt #thegirlwiththedragontattoo #davidfincher #nineinchnails #trentreznor #atticusross #thesocialnetwork #filmscore #videoessay Trent Reznor: The Fresh Air Interview (2011) NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/143834396 (Accessed: 01 September 2024). What Happened to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Sequel? (2023) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2OObyS_QJo (Accessed: 01 September 2024). Wise, D. (no date) The girl with the dragon tattoo, Empire. Available at: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/girl-dragon-tattoo-2-review/ (Accessed: 01 September 2024). Wray, D.D. (2019) Are we in a golden age for experimental film scores?, Pitchfork. Available at: https://pitchfork.com/features/article/are-we-in-a-golden-age-for-experimental-film-scores/ (Accessed: 01 September 2024).

[Disney is evil. Copyright is complicated. So apologies for a relatively small number of clips from the film. I hope you still enjoy the discussion] 🎶 Scoring Points: Gothic Christmas - On the Music of Edward Scissorhands (Episode 6) In this episode, we explore the enchanting (literally) score of Edward Scissorhands (1990), composed by the legendary Danny Elfman. From its wistful melodies to its iconic choir, discover how Elfman and Tim Burton’s collaboration crafted a Christmassy soundscape that feels as magical and melancholic as the story itself. 📅 Episode Highlights: 00:51 - Intro - Burton and Elfman 04:02 - The Unconventional Christmas 07:31 - Christmas Sonorities - How They're Made 12:00 - Gothic Christmas - Score Breakdown 16:07 - The Horror of Suburban Mundanity 19:50 - Darkness and Light 24:18 - In Sum 🎧 What to Expect: Join me to discuss the artistry of Danny Elfman’s score for Edward Scissorhands. We’ll explore how Christmas codes developed in both classsical and pop music, to uncover the secrets behind Elfman’s signature sound, and look at his enduring collaboration with Tim Burton. 🔔 Join the Conversation! What’s your favorite Danny Elfman score? Share your thoughts on Edward Scissorhands in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more film score deep dives and MIDI recreations. #EdwardScissorhands #DannyElfman #TimBurton #FilmScore #VideoEssay #ChristmasMagic #ChristmasMusic #ChristmasFilm #ChristmasFilmScore Literature References 1. Morrell, B. (n.d.) How Film and TV Music Communicate, Vol. 1. Available at: https://brianmorrell.co.uk/book1/HOW_FILM_AND_TV_MUSIC_COMMUNICATE_VOL.1.pdf (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 2. London, J. (2004) Hearing in Time: Psychological Aspects of Musical Meter. New York: Oxford University Press. 3. Hill, A. (2017) Scoring the Screen: The Secret Language of Film Music. Montclair: Hal Leonard Books. 4. Cinema Music Editors (n.d.) ‘About Danny Elfman’, Cinemusic.net. Available at: https://elfman.cinemusic.net/about_elfman.html (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 5. Thibeault, M.D. (2015) ‘A composite theory of transformations and narrativity for the music of Danny Elfman in the films of Tim Burton’, Kansas University ScholarWorks. Available at: https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/entities/publication/e5880eea-f1f9-4919-ad45-24d63b6d5fbd (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 6. Thibeault, M.D. (2023) ‘A composite theory of transformations and narrativity for the music of Danny Elfman in the films of Tim Burton’, Academia.edu. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/91527892/A_Composite_Theory_of_Transformations_and_Narrativity_for_the_Music_of_Danny_Elfman_in_the_Films_of_Tim_Burton (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 7. Miller, S. (2011) ‘Variations on a theme of Elfman: Danny Elfman’s music in Tim Burton’s films’, Core.ac.uk. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/217212791.pdf (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 8. Garcia, J. (2017) Variations on a theme of Elfman: Danny Elfman’s music in Tim Burton’s films. University of Zaragoza. Available at: https://zaguan.unizar.es/record/62589/files/TAZ-TFG-2017-2387.pdf?version=1 (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 9. Donnelly, K.J. (2001) ‘Classical film score forever’, in Donnelly, K.J. (ed.) Film Music: Critical Approaches. London: Routledge, pp. 156–170. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203349847-12/classical-film-score-forever-donnelly (Accessed: 14 December 2024). 10. Sideways (2018) Why Home Alone is the Best Christmas Soundtrack Ever https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=jvQGGbq1MFE&t=535s

🎶 Scoring Points: The Looking Glass - On the Music of The Matrix (Episode 1) 🚀 Let's explore the Score for The Matrix! Join me in this deep dive into the iconic film score of The Matrix (1999) composed by Don Davis. In this episode, we’ll explore the intricate compositional techniques that make this score a cinematic masterpiece. From the minimalist influences to thematic development, discover how Davis crafted the soundscape that defines the film. 📅 Episode Highlights: • 00:00 - Introduction • 0:50 - The Matrix • 2:06 - Minimalism in Film Scoring • 3:49 - The Intent of a Film Composer • 6:15 - Themes and Motifs (Musical and Otherwise) • 10:34 - Action Scoring Techniques • 12:13 - Vocal Archetypes and Harmony • 16:16 - The Love Theme • 18:00 - Summary • 18:59 - Part II: Midi Mockup of “Ontological Shock” 🎧 What to Expect: We’ll listen to examples of Don Davis’ music as we analyze the score’s emotional depth. Additionally, I’ll share my MIDI mockup of the cue “Ontological Shock” created in Logic Pro X, putting into practice some of Davis’ groundbreaking ideas. 📚 Further Reading: For those interested in deeper exploration, check out the literature references in the description for academic insights on American minimalism and the art of scoring for film. 🔔 Don’t Forget to Subscribe! If you’re passionate about film music, composition, and the magic behind the scenes, hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications to catch every episode of Scoring Points! Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss how music transforms the cinematic experience. #TheMatrix #DonDavis #FilmScore #VideoEssay #MusicAnalysis #Minimalism #scoringpoints Literature References: Heckman, C.J. (2018) Volume I taking the red pill: An analysis of don davis’ score for the matrix volume II dracula: A ballet in Two acts, eScholarship, University of California. Available at: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3q27... (Accessed: 16 November 2023). Heisinger, B. (1989) ‘American minimalism in the 1980s’, American Music, 7(4), p. 430. doi:10.2307/3051914. Hill, A. (2017) Scoring the screen: The secret language of film music. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Books. Decoding the Music of The Matrix (2020). Sideways. 31 May. Available at: • Decoding the Music of The Matrix (Accessed: 16 November 2023). The Matrix: ‘Ontological Shock’ with brass sheet music (2018). Keith Polito. 17 August. Available at: • The Matrix: "Ontological Shock" with ... (Accessed: 16 November 2023).

🎶 Scoring Points: The Hopeless Romantic - On the Music of WALL•E (Episode 2) 🚀 Let's explore the score for WALL•E! Join me in this episode as we delve into the enchanting score of WALL•E (2008), composed by the brilliant Thomas Newman. We’ll explore the innovative compositional techniques that bring this Pixar masterpiece to life, showcasing how music enhances the film’s emotional depth and storytelling. 📅 Episode Highlights: • 00:00 - Introduction • 0:51 - WALL•E • 2:08 - Intertextuality and Quotation in Film Music • 4:21 - Understanding Anempathetic Music • 7:12 - Tonality and Key • 11:10 - Playfulness in Composition • 14:05 - The Art of Spotting • 14:55 - Waltz, Harp, and Romance & Lydian • 18:50 - Creating Space for Needle Drops • 20:25 - Summary • 21:22 - Part II: Midi Mockup of “The Axiom” 🎧 What to Expect: In this video essay, we’ll listen to examples from Thomas Newman’s score that illustrate the creative techniques he employs in WALL•E. Plus, I’ll share my MIDI mockup of the cue “The Axiom,” crafted in Logic Pro X, where we’ll put into practice some of Newman’s signature ideas. 📚 Further Reading: For those looking to dive deeper, explore the literature references listed in the description for insightful perspectives on Newman’s work and the art of scoring animated films. 🔔 Subscribe for More! If you’re a fan of film music and want to uncover the secrets behind the scores, hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications for more episodes of Scoring Points! Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss how music shapes our cinematic experiences. #WALL•E #ThomasNewman #Pixar #FilmScore #VideoEssay #MusicAnalysis Literature References: Beato, R. (2022) The Thomas Newman Interview | Where Does THIS Music Come From? YouTube. 12 October. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnRoHPaTFqA (Accessed: 07 December 2023). Hill, A. (2017) Scoring the screen: The secret language of film music. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Books. Rizzo, F. (2019) Jerry Herman on his music from ‘WALL-E’, Showriz. Available at: https://showriz.com/blogcategoryreviews/2019/12/27/jerry-herman-on-his-music-from-wall-e (Accessed: 07 December 2023). Tran, K. (2023) Seventh chords: Intro to advanced songwriting, MelodyStudio. Available at: https://melodystudio.net/2023/02/25/seventh-chords-intro-to-advanced-songwriting/#:~:text=Dominant%20seventh%20chords%20are%20formed,create%20a%20sense%20of%20anticipation. (Accessed: 07 December 2023).

Scoring Points: By Design - On the Music of Final Destination (Episode 4) 🎥 Let's explore the score for "Final Destination" In this episode, we delve into the chilling score of Final Destination (2000), composed by the pioneering Shirley Walker. We explore how Walker’s work, often overlooked in discussions of great film scores, helped define the sound of modern horror with a unique homage to Herrmann — and some considerations of representation in the industry. 📅 Episode Highlights: • 00:00 - Introduction • 00:58 - A Horrorble History • 02:39 - Scoring on a Budget • 06:08 - The Underrepresented Female Composer • 07:39 - The Covert Score: Subtlety in Horror Music • 09:30 - Death Sound • 11:07 - Theory Time: Breaking Down Walker’s Techniques • 17:55 - Millennial Beats • 19:04 - Motivic Cells • 21:13 - In Summary • 23:14 - Part II - Midi Mockup of “Departure” 🎧 What to Expect: In this video essay, we break down Shirley Walker’s innovative techniques, from her use of motivic cells to her subtle blending of orchestral and synthetic elements. We’ll also discuss the broader context of female composers in Hollywood and how Walker’s work pushed boundaries without losing sight of her artistic vision. Plus, check out my MIDI mockup of “Departure,” recreated in Logic Pro X to bring her ideas to life. 📚 Further Reading: Want to dive deeper? Check out the literature references for more on the history of women in film scoring, the politics of the industry, and Shirley Walker’s underappreciated legacy. 🔔 Subscribe for More Musical Breakdowns! If you’re passionate about film music and want to discover the hidden gems of movie soundtracks, make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications! Let’s talk horror music and beyond—drop a comment with your thoughts on Shirley Walker’s score. #FinalDestination #ShirleyWalker #FilmScore #HorrorMusic #MusicAnalysis #WomenInFilm #BernardHerrmann Literature References: Burlingame, J. (2016) Women film composers fight for an even score, Variety. Available at: https://variety.com/2016/music/spotlight/women-film-composers-1201843422/ (Accessed: 23 May 2024). Charlie BrigdenCharlie Brigden often spends his time in the dark recesses of the film music world (2021) [we are horror] how Shirley Walker musically rocked the 2000s, Daily Grindhouse. Available at: http://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/we-are-horror-how-shirley-walker-musically-rocked-the-2000s/ (Accessed: 23 May 2024). Grills, M. (2019) Creating a more inclusive industry: The Alliance for Women Film Composers, Women Leading Change: Case Studies on Women, Gender, and Feminism. Available at: https://journals.tulane.edu/ncs/article/view/2415 (Accessed: 23 May 2024). Hayward, P. and Hill, M. (2021) ‘Hidden in the Mainstream’, Women’s Music for the Screen, pp. 64–77. doi:10.4324/9780429264924-6. Larson, R.D. (1998) ‘Interview with Shirley Walker’, Soundtrack Magazine. Wessman, C. (2022) How the synthesizer changed the way we listen to movies, Collider. Available at: https://collider.com/synthesizer-movie-scores-history-explained (Accessed: 23 May 2024). Wilcox, F. (2022) Women’s music for the screen: Diverse narratives in sound.