Don't quite understand this one -- orchestral film trailer

[musicalweather]

Feeling bummed about this return. I really thought I pulled this one together. This was a submission for an orchestral film trailer (see description below). The only thing that was checked on the review was "recording," and I assume that has something to do with the audio quality. Can you guys help me with this?

Here's the track: http://www.taxi.com/charlottemcmillan Please click on Epic Quest.

Y120618IN

ORCHESTRAL FILM TRAILER COMPOSERS needed by an Indie Production Music library that's had numerous placements in Film, Television, and Multimedia. QUOTING THE COMPANY: "We need composers who can produce trailer-quality work 'in the box' (we are not doing any live orchestra work). We need two maybe three orchestral trailer guys/gals for current and ongoing needs." Your INSTRUMENTAL submissions MUST show that you have the composing and programming skills to produce QUALITY material on time and on budget! Your orchestral emulation has to be indistinguishable from the real thing, and you MUST show that you understand the FILM TRAILER style! Here are the tracks they referenced: "Freedom Fighters" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJm6b-o2pTM"Evolution of Consciousness" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OJSZj0dbCEAs always, do NOT copy or rip off the referenced instrumentals in any way, shape, or form! Use them only as a guide for tone, texture, and style. Instrumentals submitted MUST have a cinematic DRIVE and BUILD similar to the referenced tracks.

[Len911]

Hmmm, I just came from another "film trailer" post, maybe the same listing, and there seems to be an emphasis on the "mastering". I'm not familiar with "trailers", but perhaps that "in your face" loud characteristic is a requirement?

[Cruciform]

Hi Charlotte,

It's a beautiful piece, absolutely beautiful. Having said that, structurally this is score, not trailer. In context of the 'recording' box, perhaps they were thinking this recording is too mellow and 'soft'. It doesn't have the bombast and oomph that is associated with the requested style of orchestral trailer music. The ending also doesn't hit anywhere near hard enough. IMO, the audio quality is not an issue.

Again, this is a beautiful piece of music and excellently done. It's just not trailer music.

[musicalweather]

Thank you both for taking the time to listen to the piece and respond.

Hmm, I thought I was getting fairly loud. Cruciform, you write that it doesn't have enough "bombast and oomph." So, just to make sure I understand this correctly, it would need more hard-hitting moments and more of a big, gigantic build at the end. This would have to be a matter of changes in the composition, or incorporating heavier or more percussive elements in the composition...?

I may try to do a revision of this piece. I just got Damage, so maybe now I can wreak some real havoc.

Anyway, thanks!

[mikeymike2000]

Hi Charlotte,

This is a really cool piece! I don't think I am qualified yet to comment on the genre itself but I do wanted to ask what library are the voices are coming from? (I may want to pick that up)

[musicalweather]

Thanks Mike (and Rob!) for your kind words.

I used the EastWest Symphonic Choir for the voices, with Word Builder. Using Word Builder can be time consuming, but I don't have the most recent version of it, so the latest version might be easier to use.

[Cruciform]

This would have to be a matter of changes in the composition, or incorporating heavier or more percussive elements in the composition...?

Hi Charlotte,

I'd suggest spending a lot of time on youtube listening to Two Steps From Hell, Immediate Music and Fired Earth Music. Import songs into your DAW and A/B them against your work in progress. Orchestral trailer music has its own flavour and structure. To my ears, your track here (as good as it is!) is more like score. Layer, layer, layer. Build, build, build.