How I Won a Film Scoring Contest

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Let's dive in to my winning submission from the Indie Film Music Contest earlier this year! In it, I'll explain how I structured the score to best fit the story of the film.
If you're short on time and want to get to the nitty gritty:
03:35 - Walkthrough of the video without music and my thoughts
13:04 - Walkthrough of the video with my music
21:22 - In depth look at orchestration of main hit points
The Indie Film Music Contest is always running more competitions! To see if one is happening now, visit: www.indiefilmmusiccontest.com/
To watch through my full submission without me rambling on every 5 seconds: • Poulette’s Chair - New...
Huge thanks to Zac Prosser for the edit and helping a KZbin newb like me actually make something!
Stunning acoustic panel print done by Rico Tazi with www.acoustimac.com/acoustic-p... and illustrated by Kip Henderson.

[@jessehaugen]

Watch through to the verrrrry end for a surprise!

[@CrystalDEsprit]

Made me jump lol

[@jessehaugen]

Haha that's awesome

[@fishoscine1220]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@iamfrankbiesta]

Hi Jesse. Just a quick update two years after watching this youtube video by you. This is the one video that inspired me to try my hand at film scoring. And over the past two years I have scored about 15 short films and documentairies. If it wasn't for your video this would never have happened. So a really big thank you for allowing me a glimpse into your scoring process. I absolutely love scoring films and - from what I hear from others - my writing and orchestration skills have vastly improved over the past 2 years. So thanks again for starting me on this incredible journey of writing music.

[@jessehaugen]

Honesly SO incredibly cool to hear this. I'm so thrilled for you and honored to be a part of that journey! Thank you for sharing!

[@Millennium_audios]

Could you tell me how you got started with work?

[@iamfrankbiesta]

@@Millennium_audios Sure. I started scoring (short) movies only ywo years ago - as a hobby, so I did not charge. Also because I'm still learning. More recently I came in contact (via facebook) with a Dutch filmmaker (I am Dutch too) who has a company in California. He wants me to score a 90-minute film - and he has a budget for it. So this will be my first paid job. The only advice I can give is: widen your network and do not worry if you have to work for free at the start of your career. Consider this as part of the leraning process. If you're good enough some more (paid) opportunities will come along. Good luck!

[@Millennium_audios]

@@iamfrankbiesta Interesting thank you for the advice! How did you find movies to score for free?

[@QuinnAden]

You had me at the John Williams joke in the beginning, watched until the last second. Incredible work, bravo...well deserved first place!

[@jessehaugen]

Haha glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching.

[@kerserzthescientist8899]

Love this - definitely has Indie/ Ghibli vibes .❤

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you!! Really appreciate that.

[@sonnenreinmusic9]

This was the most inspiring and the most helpful tutorial I've seen for a long time. What a beautiful piece of music you wrote there! Thank 's for this video!

[@jessehaugen]

Hey I’m so glad! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@romulus_music]

Even though the story's not necessarily sad, you definitely had me tearing up at some parts. That was incredible. The heroic horns gave me HTTYD vibes, while the strings and piano totally had that Ghibli feel! Thank you for breaking down your scoring process too. Learned quite a bit!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching. I’m glad you found it helpful, and I appreciate the kind words!

[@virgilebeats3041]

so many great lessons from this video, especially making the high points purposefully smaller to allow the next ones to be bigger. Thank you

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching. I’m glad you found it useful!

[@RussellNollenMusic]

Thank you for sharing your advice, tips, and perspectives. It is appreciated!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thank you so much for watching!

[@NimaiWalcott]

Really appreciate your transparency. Great video and very helpful. Thank you

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching!

[@MartinHeidenreichMusic]

Thank you Jesse, this was amazing! Really interesting to hear all your thoughts and see how you translated them into musical ideas. Subbed

[@jessehaugen]

Thanks, Martin! I really appreciate that and am glad you enjoyed it.

[@ellieallenberry2181]

nice! I appreciate the in-depth walkthough! much appreciated!

[@jessehaugen]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@gerardedit]

Thank you so much for making this video and sharing your thoughts and process. I found this very inspiring!

[@jessehaugen]

I’m so glad! Thanks for watching!

[@nickmuzekari6124]

This is fantastic, thank you for sharing this.

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@nykoedits]

This is incredible man! A pleasure to learn about your thought process on this!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! I appreciate that. It's my pleasure to share!

[@florin1290]

Great, great, great!!! I really like the way you feel the video and put it in the muzical score! Thank you!

[@jessehaugen]

Thanks so much!

[@KaelBaez]

Extremely helpful video, thank you so much! This video is a hidden gem💎

[@jessehaugen]

So glad you think so! I really appreciate that.

[@StrophicValley]

This made my evening, thank you :)

[@jessehaugen]

You're too kind! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@andreasurban6795]

This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing this with us! A well deserved win! Wish I was that talented!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you for the kind words! Just a lot of hours spent doing the thing. You've got it too, I'm sure!

[@blue-balance]

This was great, and very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to create this enlightening video to share your creative thinking process.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! Incredibly kind of you to say. It's my pleasure!

[@jakjakmor]

Wow, I learned so much from this video. Thanks a lot

[@jessehaugen]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@serenajuhuisuh]

Such a great walkthrough - super insightful!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@loopthesenotes]

Your score gave me goosebumps!! Loved the video

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@TylerWaltonMusic]

Loved your submission! I’ve listened to it several times over and taken notes on how to make my work better. Keep getting after it!

[@jessehaugen]

I really appreciate that! Thanks, man!

[@angelocast]

Hi Jesse. Thank you for sharing your creative process. Love it. Learning from you a lot! Best wishes for your amazing career!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! Incredibly kind of you to say. Happy to share!

[@harrywatson6184]

This score is fantastic and your explanation was so helpful 👏

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! I really appreciate that and am glad it was helpful!

[@irinalensky7403]

Amazing video, your music is wonderful! I am still learning and this video is very inspirational. Thank you!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! That's so great to hear.

[@sielsounds]

This tear jerked me!! Beautiful writing! And I really enjoyed hearinf you talk through your thoughts.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words.

[@timiglobe]

I really enjoyed this score. Great work🙌

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@elektronlp6315]

I love to come back to this video from time to time ... ah the music and how you explain your choices on how to tell the story is so amazing...realy great

[@jessehaugen]

I really appreciate that! Thank you!

[@AndersOrozco]

This is awesome man, this video is really helpfully to learn to get out of the box and focus more on the story telling with the music, Great video man XD

[@jessehaugen]

Thanks so much man! I’m really glad you enjoyed it.

[@GreenHope42]

Great score, well done. And great video. Thank you for the score walkthrough/breakdown, behind the scenes tutorial. As a beginner it's a great learning experience to get an insight into what you did and to see how others compose.

[@jessehaugen]

I really appreciate that! I'm glad you found it helpful/insightful!

[@katrinaviloria7547]

Wow! This is amazing! Thank you for sharing and taking us through your process. It's so insightful- how you picked parts of the film to accent, how to add personality to the characters of the film, how you add movement through your music, how you make the layers of your music to make it thicker. You're super.

[@jessehaugen]

That is so kind! Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed it and found it insightful!

[@axel.lessio]

Jesse, this score is a masterpiece! What you do is very special and the whole thought process on dynamics is brilliant.

[@jessehaugen]

Wow! That's incredibly kind. Thank you so much!

[@victornoagbodji]

This is fantastic! Would love to see more. This is very inspiring for beginners like me 😊 🙏 😊

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! I have some other videos up since this one and am continuing to make more as I have time!

[@Yonikaii]

This may be one of the best motivating and also informative video on scoring around. Really nice job and really well deserved win! :D

[@jessehaugen]

That's so kind!! Thank you so much.

[@nathannigus]

This gave me goosebumps! Fantastic video!! As a composition major myself and one who is very interested in this type of composing, this was an incredible resource!

[@jessehaugen]

That's so awesome. I absolutely love to hear that. Happy composing!

[@-Meric-]

Wow, I wish I found this video a lot earlier! Gorgeous score by the way, I really enjoyed the way you went through it.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! Glad you did find it, and that you enjoyed it!

[@ClintOwenEllis]

This was such a good video and your score is incredible. Really nice work there Jesse. I just signed up for the current Indie Film comp, so wish me luck! I'll certainly be taking on the advice you gave :)

[@jessehaugen]

I really appreciate that, thank you! It's awesome that you're doing this one. Best of luck, and I hope the advice is helpful!

[@mattbagasaomusic7735]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and process. I too entered this competition and learned a lot just from doing it. All the best to you!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! It really was an awesome contest to be a part of.

[@junglenaut6755]

Super talented Jesse. Happy to have discovered this. Thanks for sharing. Wish I had seen this sooner!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you, I appreciate that! Its fun to share.

[@TheGerfalkon]

beautiful movie, music, and talk. Thanks for sharing, Jesse

[@jessehaugen]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@navoonraj]

love the you explain stuff. thanks for this :)

[@jessehaugen]

Oh, thank you! I appreciate that. And thanks for watching!

[@deajen9463]

Thankyou for the explanation, I learn a lot from you🙏

[@jessehaugen]

That's awesome! So glad you benefited! Thanks for watching

[@The7logiebears]

Wow Jesse, this is so incredible. I really enjoyed you explaining the entire process. I have never thought about the music and the movement, you describing your thoughts and how you wanted to direct this enchanting film is brilliant. I love creativity, yours is fabulous. Thank you so much for this video. Hope to see more. Oh, and of course huge congratulations for a well deserved win. Proud of you.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Its easier to be creative when there's such an inspiring film to be scored!

[@emmanouela4330]

Aah this is great!! I'm in my 2nd year of studying film music and I found your explanation as you show the music super helpful!! I'm trying to score my first short film (for an assignment, nothing professional) and for a moment I felt like I was starting from 0 (w/ a blank Logic screen), but just watching someone's process made me wake up. Thank you!

[@jessehaugen]

This is honestly so incredibly cool to hear. I started a KZbin channel because watching other composers' channels inspired me to break past that blank logic screen too! SO glad this did that for you. Write on! (pun intended)

[@simmy7209]

hi! just want to thank you for this wonderful, educational, and detailed insight into your process as it not only helped me with my entry, I learnt so much about how to tell a story musically

[@jessehaugen]

Amazing! Thank you so much

[@chetcleeren4668]

love this break down great stuff

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching

[@ChristoforosChristofiMusic]

Wow! Thanks Jesse! This is very valuable info!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Glad you found it valuable.

[@koopylupa6647]

Wow this is so great. Made me smile the whole way through and just enforced my feeling of wanting to become a composer. Thank you so much. Great work!!!

[@jessehaugen]

This is incredibly kind, thank you!

[@tobiasfenkart9892]

Amazing Video! I honestly subscribed after the first seconds when you mentioned John Williams and he appeared 😂 And by the end I knew it was the right decision 😉 Great work, keep it up!

[@jessehaugen]

That's awesome haha So glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the sub!

[@SvintMvrcus]

Man this was such a good breakdown I learned a lot ! Instant sub 🙏🏼

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed

[@UCSBSpeech]

Good advice from someone who has won a scoring contest! All the best in your music scoring goals, Jesse!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! I appreciate that. All the best to you as well.

[@jairsanchez1135]

I just applied to the same contest! This is great advice and an amazing video :)

[@jessehaugen]

Amazing! I wish you the best of luck! Thanks for watching the video. I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@Gorlung]

Yes, you nailed it brilliantly. Congratulations!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@harsh_keys]

You are incredibly talented, I had goosebumps when you did the motif in a Christmas themed way when snow fell, absolutely beautiful

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@ewanbirch9719]

Bro I just wanna say I love your set up it's so dope!

[@jessehaugen]

Oh thanks! I'm really happy with it.

[@christiana.guevara4947]

This is so awesome! I loved your musical process for this film. You have a new subscriber, my friend! Can't wait to see more of your music. I used to use Cubase but switched to Logic Pro X. I'm currently switching back to Cubase again. If I have any questions, I will gladly reach out to you. Thank you again for this video!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video. Happy composing!

[@thislittleamp]

How am I only finding you on KZbin now 😮 great videos dude!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

[@JMnyJohns]

Very helpful. Especially seeing that you add complexity and movement with additions and subtraction of timbres - you aren't throwing complex meter or runs at it. Perfectly executed yet fairly straightforward. Appreciated.

[@jessehaugen]

That's great to hear! I'm really glad it was helpful. Thank you for the kind words, and thanks for watching!

[@bahl1031]

The gentle drift and build up of the theme walks toe to toe with the animation. It is wonderfully paced and fits the storyline perfectly. Hope you get to record it using a live orch as well - will be great to compare the difference in sound and can be another continuation to the tutorial!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! I've had the same thought, actually. Recording it live would be a really cool continuation of this. Maybe one day!

[@pigtowndanzee]

Genuinely excellent work on this. Such an inspirational example of using music elements to complement and tell a story. Honestly I think better than like 90% of main stream film scores I hear today.

[@jessehaugen]

I appreciate the incredibly kind words! Thank you so much

[@gabriellemartin9080]

What a great video, thank you so much!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@ninaharris5335]

I feel like I should have paid for that lesson in writing for film. Very generous of you to share so much, Jesse. Thank you.

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! I'm glad you received so much from it.

[@DanielJVH]

You're a beast dude! Brilliant work.

[@jessehaugen]

Wow, thanks man! I really appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aiaccident]

You are a genious. You have a new follower. An 80s electronic music maker with ambitions of future film scoring in mind.

[@jessehaugen]

You're too kind! Thank you!

[@ryanyouwei3448]

This piece is an art to me. It speaks story. So good Jesse.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you very much!

[@charlespowel9490]

trust me it was one of the best walk through I've seen in the past few months and I've learned sooo much out of it. From a novice composer point of view, it was one of the best and most helpful thing I've watched. From a viewers point of view, the scores gave me Goosebumps.

[@jessehaugen]

I’m so glad! Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@kiphenderson9358]

Dude this is great. Love hearing about your process.

[@jessehaugen]

Thanks, Kip! It's fun to share it with everyone.

[@kwakuasantefrimpong8784]

The music definitely made me tear up. Well deserved!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! I’m honored that you were touched by it.

[@golgoth787]

What a soundtrack ! Very nice job !!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you!

[@rasikkharote]

Wonderful information bro. Thanks a lot 🤘🔥👌

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! My pleasure

[@martin-raison-music-composer]

Amazing man! Thanks for sharing!

[@jessehaugen]

Of course! Thanks for watching!

[@andikasavana4539]

i've been watching hans zimmer masterclass but its different, so emotional and very amazing session, thanks man!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@caitlinwillismusic]

Really awesome Jesse! "I also put sleigh-bells here because I'm basic and their's snow" BUT IT WORKS SO WELL haha!

[@jessehaugen]

Haha thank you! Its basic, but effective haha

[@fm694]

man that's really good! you inspired me to register to this competition 👍

[@jessehaugen]

Oh man, that's awesome! Hope you have/had a blast doing it.

[@micwarren21]

Thank you for your insight.

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@user-rp4bz8sq2e]

Hi Jesse, thank you so much for this video! You articulated the ideas very clearly. Plus some of those "obvious" things should be heard over and over again, because essentially they will always be important😊 Prize well deserved!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@elpepe-wx7oj]

This is so incredible! as a young composer it makes me so happy and excited to see this, hopefully someday i can make something just as good (: btw have you ever considered doing a video about developing your skills as a composer (things like formal education vs self taught or something) anyway keep up the good work!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed it. That’s not a bad idea for a video; I’ll consider it!

[@connordunckel8544]

currently in the process of trying to go back and get my master's in film score and this was a relaxing video in between the slew of how to's to get myself back into it. still figuring out where to get video to score to that's free but so far KZbin has been a welcome friend.

[@jessehaugen]

That's incredible! Shoot me an email or join my discord and I can get you this film to experiment with! [e-mail] for email or discord.gg/Q8mhGaxEvE for discord!

[@greentokyo]

Fantastic Video and fantastic score!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@jasonanthonywebster8859]

Absolutely outstanding, your an amazing artist such a beautiful mind to create such masterpiece, good job!

[@jessehaugen]

You're too kind! Thank you so much.

[@jasonanthonywebster8859]

@@jessehaugen I'll have to wait until next registration date but this is something I'd love to participate in, I've entered the Spitfire Audio competition for the stargirl recently, I probably won't win because there are some really talented artists out there who have done it many times before, it's my first shot at a moving picture, it's a brilliant experience, I've watched your winning footage and it's out of this world I almost teared up it was that good mate! Thank you for your knowledge and sharing your work with everybody

[@jessehaugen]

Again, too kind! It's my pleasure to share. They do this competition many times a year so you should definitely do the next one!

[@jasonanthonywebster8859]

@@jessehaugen you want to keep an eye on spitfire when they hold competitions, you don't win money but you do win alot of instruments which to us is creative freedom, if I see another competition next year I'll send you a message brother

[@akesocreates]

awesome break down!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you!

[@demicasha]

Great video! I would defiantly have stuck around if this was more in depth. You are great at explaining and get straight to the point. Great job! :) Subscribing for sure!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@tonybrattoli]

I entered this year! When looking into the contest I came across your winning submission and it is some great work! Love what you did with this. Also nice to see a fellow Cubase user.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much! Best of luck for this year’s contest. And let’s go Cubase!

[@bro.jdfrancisco]

This is just so... wonderful!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you!

[@rik-keymusic160]

Omg dude... thats so brilliant ! :o

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! Appreciate that.

[@ShivSagar010]

Thank You Very Much Sir! 🙂🙏

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanreevescomposer4149]

Very informative! Thanks!!!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Glad it was informative.

[@jonathanbeiko9875]

Narnia motif "Beginning of the adventure" by Harry Gregson-Williams at 17:41 ,amazing work btw!

[@andikasavana4539]

oh my God, this video is Gold!

[@jessehaugen]

So glad you found it and enjoyed it!

[@inibeatz]

AMAZING WORK!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@billellis3863]

"Because I'm basic and there's snow." Delightful 😅

[@jessehaugen]

It just works! Haha

[@iamfrankbiesta]

Thanks so much for sharing your thought process and your music creation process. Tons of extremely useful insights!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Really glad you found it insightful. Thanks for watching!

[@iamfrankbiesta]

@@jessehaugen Inspired by your video I decided to try and come up with a mini-soundtrack to an existing movie trailer. Although still a bit rough at the edges and obviously pretty amateurish (as I am an amateur) here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hanQpKeGpap5ldU If this it not allowed on your KZbin page, feel free to delete it.

[@jessehaugen]

Watched the whole thing! Really well done. I would have LOVED to have heard that sweet glock/piano melody from the beginning come back exactly like you did but instead of the happy piano chords underneath, have it washed out in reverb with more of the tension music under that you established halfway through. The marriage of those two things at the end would be haunting and chilling like the trailer. Just my thoughts!

[@iamfrankbiesta]

@@jessehaugen Thanks! Great suggestion. I'll work on it.

[@iamfrankbiesta]

@@jessehaugen Hi Jesse. I gave your suggestion a go this morning. Not entirely sure if I have done "enough". The end is definitely more haunting now... Here is my new attempt: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoPZlYOPrdODhpY

[@StuartFuckingLittle]

I do really like your music, and I know you said this at the start of the video, but a lot of your music is very obviously influenced by John Williams. This one at the start slightly reminds me of Hans Zimmer's Tennessee. Really good stuff and great breakdown :)

[@adibonts]

thank you for this!

[@jessehaugen]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@Liquidhun]

Well, Jesse...it was amazing. I would see more in depth details about layering, and building up harmonicly the peaks, each instrumental section one by one. You showed it, but it was too short for me. Amazing structure, and musicly light. Hope we'll hear about You and your scores more.

[@jessehaugen]

I really appreciate that! Great feedback. I'm never sure how much depth people want, but I'd be happy to go in a little further on stuff! I'll keep that in mind for future videos. Thanks again!

[@oumkaarrs5433]

@@jessehaugen yes , many untrained people also wanna know how to layer instruments & make it big like u did. If possible plz do in depth video of scoring.

[@jessehaugen]

Good to know! Definitely will do!

[@Liquidhun]

@@jessehaugen Well? We're waiting! :)

[@jessehaugen]

@@Liquidhun I know, I know. Hey, but I HAVE uploaded a bunch of other stuff so far! Next video should cover a lot of this. It's about how I scored a video game trailer and I'll break down the layers in the orchestration and stuff!

[@DJayFreeDoo]

I couldn't imagine this soundtrack any better. I'm in a competition myself now and im not experienced in scoring at all. I just make regular electronic four to the floor stuff and some experiments. I hope i don't have to compete with someone on your level. You need more views! :P

[@jessehaugen]

I appreciate that! I remember (and honestly still do at times) feeling that way, but I'll tell you the same thing someone told me: NO ONE writes music exactly like YOU. So, you know, just do your thing and you'll be great!

[@DJayFreeDoo]

@@jessehaugen indeed.

[@MasatoKay]

Such an amazing score

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you so much!

[@runningintohistory]

Great work! I write my own music for my channel to attempt to support the story so great to hear your thought process.

[@jessehaugen]

Thank you! And that's awesome. I'll have to check your channel out!

[@dimitargadzhev3800]

Thank you very much!!!

[@jessehaugen]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!