How to Build an Action Cue [Studio Time: S3E7]

Let's uncover the building blocks of high intensity moments and applying them to what's happening on screen.

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C O N N E C T

[corifergooseslayer]

I’m an aspiring film composer and I can’t even begin to express how much your music and these videos have meant to me and inspired me. Thank you for who you are and what you do.

[junkiexlofficial]

Leave your questions here in the comments, and please remember to subscribe!

[salemwitch]

Tom: “There’s no film that’s 4 hours long”
Also Tom: *scores a film that’s 4 hours long”

[TurboSol]

I would love to see the process during the first writing of a cue, that would be awesome! It would be neat to see the creative process with the chord types and progressions chosen for certain moods etc.

[C.C.Cope]

4:36 “there’s no film that’s four hours long”

*Hamlet and return of the king extended edition look at each other nervously*

[alanlennon]

Incredible composing Tom. 1. Are you human? 2. How long does it take you to compose a piece like this?

[GregIllidge]

Wow! That cue is amazing, all the thematic material woven into it is so well done. Thank you for sharing this!

I wondered about that difficult violin/horn figure that you highlighted. To hear the violins nail that line but then the horns too was unbelievable.

I know the calibre of musicians you get to work with is A class complimenting your writing talent. Do you worry about over stepping what is possible for an instrument when you have to mock up your ideas for the director and producers?

I would love to hear more about your experiences on this topic as I worry a lot about giving sampled concepts of parts to musicians to play and record.

I've been watching since your mad max videos way back when :) absolutely love the fact that you take the time to share all of this with us. So thank you Sir :) keep up the good work

[davidefant]

This is one of my favorite episode, sooo relevant: I think one of the most most difficult skill to have in film scoring, is knowing how to put everything together in the way you Tom are talking about, one of those skill you acquire late in your career. I'd love for you to talk more about this if you can!

[JordanNewAgeMusic]

Thanks Tom for doing these tutorials, they are all very insightful and helpful.

[RichiJamesMusic]

Awesome video Tom! I love this series. Just a quick one, it would be great if you could break down the entire Orchestration of big action cues like this... Like really dive into what the individual sections are playing and how its all woven together. Other than that though, its perfect!

[crossrootsdoc]

Tom so good to see you truly enjoying this one. Your facial expression at 15:16 is exactly what I'm hoping to feel towards my own music someday!

[KMuse]

How many of you would love to see the midi of this?! Amazing job Tom you're an incredible inspiration! Thank you!

[antonisfakiris]

Indeed, is incredible composition!!! And is a great lesson for all of us beginners or non!!

[MusicOfDreamweaver]

Hi Tom. Just wanted to say that even though the movie might not have performed as we hoped, it is still a fantastic score and I am really glad you are sharing all of this with us. Thanks a bunch!!

[frankiehands]

Your compositions are getting so insane, Tom. Much respect for all the advice you share on here. I just arrived to LA 3 weeks ago to score media. Hope our paths cross one day!

[CountBlissett]

I really love how you hide the reference to the James Horner's danger theme!

[Domene]

Thank you Tom!! That's a lot of really great information. I never saw ou reed anything like what you are doing. It's a complete and real world course on film scoring.

[BerndKistenmacher]

This is really a cool theme. Love that groove. Brilliant!

[Yourfavoratemusic]

Really loving everything you are doing with your YouTube channel.

[robertbarner]

Absolutely fantastic! Bravo! Gave me chills.