6 Ways to Eliminate Blank Page Syndrome!

Join composer and Spitfire Audio co-founder, Paul Thomson, as he shares the steps he takes before starting every project and how to get past BPS (Blank Page Syndrome)
To access 100's of hours of FREE composing tutorials, tips and tricks head to: www.spitfireaudio.com/academy
0:00 6 steps BEFORE you play a note
1:23 Meet the Director
4:35 Spotting Session
6:51 The Template
8:37 Video Content
12:10 Syncing to Picture
14:43 Taking a Break
16:51 3 steps to BEAT writers block
18:14 Change Your Normal
21:50 Shut the DAW
24:08 Improvise
#SpitfireAudioAcademy #SpitfireAudio #Tutorial

[@BaraMatahariPagi]

*0:00** 6 steps BEFORE you play a note* 1:23 Meet the Director 4:35 Spotting Session 6:51 The Template 8:37 Video Content 12:10 Syncing to Picture 14:43 Taking a Break *16:51** 3 steps to BEAT writers block* 18:14 Change Your Normal 21:50 Shut the DAW 24:08 Improvise

[@anders_wall]

”If you struggle with the first bar of music, start with the second bar” :)

[@GeoTactics]

@24:10 guitarists call this improvisation as "noodling". I have also tried effects, distortion, different tuning, delays and reverb, anything that creates inspiration.

[@dokproduction9881]

When you talk about the "blank page", I personally discovered that by writing music every day (even if it's a theme or a few bars), after a few months at this pace of work, my brain naturally and unconsciously put itself in a particular disposition conducive to creativity. It helps me a lot to not be afraid of this "blank page" when I start a project. Have you also experienced this? Anyways, thanks a lot @Paul Thomson to share your experience with us! 🙏

[@Renaxelo]

did you get the money ??

[@dokproduction9881]

@@Renaxelo What's your point?.

[@christiaantinga]

Many valuable moments for me. Thank you Paul!

[@thisislance]

Nice to see Paul again! It's been a month now since the last release (when we last saw Paul) and two since the big one prior (the most recent Dan Keen video).

[@mariobengalita2454]

Usually a cold bath to clear up the mind, and then hope for the best! Sometimes already have the idea in the head, but most of the time I choose a library that inspires me even if later I don’t use it for the project!

[@soypablorios]

Thank you Paul!

[@zoemoskal9700]

This was so helpful! I'm really new to film scoring, and apart from at uni years ago, I've only scored two short films so it's great to get all the knowledge and expertise from you experienced professionals as possible. This was all laid out in a really clear and encouraging way, and very supportive too. I'm definitely going to check out the Academy videos. Really enjoyed some of your past videos as well. Looking forward to watching more!! Thanks for providing such great content at no extra cost as well, it's very much appreciated!

[@tylercattproducer9583]

Great video, thanks!

[@d.dzieciolowski]

Thank you for this, very helpful video

[@rafaelruizcomposer9790]

Wow! Amazing pieces of wisdom from Paul, thank you!! I have a beginner question: when you have your video file to score to loaded in your session, how do you setup your counter? I mean, bars&beats, time code, minutes and segs...?

[@domshov]

Excellent multitudes of advice Paul, thank you for sharing. I've been composing for years and its rare that I come across practical honest advice like this!

[@mysterybro100]

Pure gold! Thank you!

[@BoogieBear]

Brilliant advice, thank you

[@joshbarron8961]

You are a wealth of knowledge, Paul! Thank you so much for doing this video :D Aaron Copland once said, "I don't compose. I assemble materials.". And I think what you said about us not necessarily creating something unique but using our influences really is on point.

[@soundthrills]

Always a pleasure Paul. Thanks for sharing valuable knowledge to the community! Very impressed!

[@CybreSmee]

Wow, thanks Paul. Excellent insights, so much to learn.

[@danielpisera]

Thanks Paul. I´m watching now! For me the best film music from Jerry Goldsmith is The Planet of the Apes.

[@markheighes1218]

I love this!! So helpful to film composers. Thank you so much for producing all your tuition/instructional videos. Its kind of reassuring that everyone goes through very similar things in the creative process of music writing.

[@janetbmusic]

Thank you so much for this video Paul! Excellent content and, for me, perfect timing! I'm about to start work on my first film score and eagerly absorbing all the tips and techniques I can find. Spitfire Audio's videos are tops on my list.

[@thib_frcs]

Loved this, really need it actually, thank you Paul.

[@BaraMatahariPagi]

Thank you for doing this, Paul! Exelent advice! I completely agree with the "taking a break" one :)

[@siberiangirl_]

Looking forward for this lesson!!!!!

[@whytomharris]

thanks Paul this is great!

[@benskia]

Fantastic video. Thank you for doing these. Very inspirational and some great anecdotes in too.

[@rdpatterson2682]

great presentation! thanks.

[@danielpisera]

Thanks a lot for your ideas and helps to inspiration!

[@siddharthsharma2129]

Looking forward to it :-)

[@vivo-audio]

Fantastic!

[@dafingaz]

Let's go!

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

This is brilliant! Is there any chance you could do a tutorial on how to pitch to directors, especially if it's your first time? I'm trying to that at the moment, and I want to make sure I get right.

[@doublezero0068]

Me at 19:29: 'hey isn't that C Dorian actually?' Paul: Instantly plays thickly harmonized Halo monk theme on a choir patch By Marty's glasses, I was right! Be nice to the goose ;-)

[@music_creator_capable]

Nice!

[@4kfreelance]

Apart from temp music maybe deciding the key sig of a score, or someone telling you what key to score in, isn't it best to do it early as possible due to messing up a session by changing from C Major default to the correct key sig later on? I've done it with a pop song and realised it's not as easy as it says on the tin! Messes up transposition.

[@thisislance]

I think you mean "Blank Page Syndrome" in the video description.

[@es__music]

Is there software out there for spotting sessions? Kind of like frame I.O but for music with video.

[@alexharbin4124]

huh huh, he's gonna score

[@danielmillardmusic]

16:38 What piece is that??

[@spitfireaudiollp]

How do YOU prepare to score? Let us know in the comments! 👇🏼

[@uvindudeeyamulla8766]

😍😍😍

[@voskseyur]

Thank you Paul. You are generator of ideas. Безумству храбрых поём мы песню Yor are very good composer, do you forget it? Why you lost your time..

[@karl.weaver]

Student and educators, why not discount across the board? Not everyone lives on beans or smokes a pipe!

[@michaelhills6117]

So cheap this “Premiers in”. Please stop it.