This seems like a cut and paste critique to me. What do you think?

[macomposer]

So I sent in two pieces for this listing:

ELECTRONIC INVESTIGATIVE INSTRUMENTALS are needed for an (up to) $1,000, Direct-to-Film Producer placement in an upcoming Independent Feature Film that's currently in post-production!

Note: You'll get 100% of the sync fee, and keep 100% of your publishing and master rights. No publishing splits.

This Film's Producer is on the hunt for Instrumentals that could work as a replacement for "Fletch Theme" by Harold Faltermeyer, which is currently temped in:

"Fletch Theme" by Harold Faltermeyer

They're NOT looking for clones or soundalikes! Similar tempo, style, and overall vibe? Yes. Clones? No!

QUOTING THE FILM'S PRODUCER: "We need electronic/instrumental score showing the lead characters spying, following, peering around corners, sneaking around. Would be used in subsequent scenes with internet investigations and discovery."

Please submit well-crafted Instrumentals that convey drama, excitement, and lots of "on the case" type energy! Your submissions should have dramatic motifs, catchy melodies and solid arrangements with plenty of dynamics, forward movement, and interest throughout. Instrumentation in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the reference will work best, such as synths, drums, bass, etc. Please be sure any virtual instruments or samples you use are high-quality and genre-appropriate.

NOTE: The Producer let us know that they are not necessarily looking for anything with an '80s sound (though we think that approach could work, given the reference). It's more about the vibe, emotion, and sound.

Your submissions should be about 2 to 4 minutes in length, give or take. Please do NOT copy the referenced artist or song in any way, shape, or form. Use it as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

The license fee for this placement is (up to) $1,000, depending on the ultimate use. This is a Direct-to-Film Producer placement, so you’ll keep 100% ownership of your Copyright and Master Recordings, plus you’ll also get 100% of the License Fee and any applicable performance royalties. You must own or control your Copyright and Master Recordings to pitch for this opportunity. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. TAXI # S240622CH

Here was my #1 submission:
Sneaky Moves

The feedback in question for me here is:

I think you could improve this song by
This is good, although, for this request, try an alt-arrangement and "fit" this into a similar structure as heard on the reference. Map out the structure and notice where the sections are. Creating a structure that follows the same map works best for this request.

I returned or forwarded this song because:
The track has a good drive, although, it could benefit from a revision in the arrangement/structure to get closer to the desired “Electronic Investigative” character style of arrangement/structure as referenced and requested in the listing.

Given this style, I thought that I had "fit" this structure pretty well. I analyzed the temp, and although I didn't follow it to a tee (purposeful), I did follow it. The reviewer didn't hear that, so okay.

BUT

This was my #2 submission: (I purposely wrote something different, something that felt more up to date, but with a bit of the style and feel of the basic genre.
Internet and Search

The feedback here is:
I think you could improve this song by
This is good, although, for this request, try an alt-arrangement/instrumentation/structure and replace any "bell" like character with a current synth type. (no bell timbers) . After establishing the pattern section, create a "chorus like" section with a secondary melodic element. Listen and map out the arrangement of the reference and study the structure, this is the key when it comes to a temp replacement. Do your best to "fit" this arrangement into a similar structure.

and

I returned or forwarded this song because
The track has a good light tension feel, although, it could benefit from a revision in the arrangement/instrumentation/structure to meet the desired “Electronic Investigative” character style of arrangement/structure as referenced and requested in the listing.


So I definitely agree more about the feedback with this second one, but in light of that feedback, the feedback for Sneaky Moves doesn't make sense to me.

I disagree with the critique of the Sneaky Moves. There were no other dings on it (by the way). I thought it should have been forwarded, or at the very least, it should have not had basically the same feedback as Internet and Search, which is very different.

Are I crazy? What do you think?

Thanks Everyone,
Mark

[Casey H]

I thought Sneaky Moves was at least pretty close for the listing. It's not "cut and paste" if the reasons are similar. On the 2nd track, there was different detail, mentioning the bell sound. I don't have the luxury of putting the ref and your track in the DAW together right now.

The screener was obviously looking for a full song match as far as structure. I don't think I would have known that from the listing in terms of exact structure. Usually, it's tempo, feel, and appropriate sections to choose from as far as replacing a temp track.

Grain of salt: This post is being done quickly while drinking coffee and laptop speakers. I'm curious what others think. And, while it doesn't negate the disappointment, you have 1-2 great tracks to submit to other listings/libraries. If a few others here (some of our resident best: Cosmic, Telefunkin, MVB, etc.) thing Sneaky Moves should have been forwarded, you could always email headscreener for clarification.

Casey

[macomposer]

I thought Sneaky Moves was at least pretty close for the listing. It's not "cut and paste" if the reasons are similar. On the 2nd track, there was different detail, mentioning the bell sound. I don't have the luxury of putting the ref and your track in the DAW together right now.

The screener was obviously looking for a full song match as far as structure. I don't think I would have known that from the listing in terms of exact structure. Usually, it's tempo, feel, and appropriate sections to choose from as far as replacing a temp track.

Grain of salt: This post is being done quickly while drinking coffee and laptop speakers. I'm curious what others think. And, while it doesn't negate the disappointment, you have 1-2 great tracks to submit to other listings/libraries. If a few others here (some of our resident best: Cosmic, Telefunkin, MVB, etc.) thing Sneaky Moves should have been forwarded, you could always email headscreener for clarification.

Casey

Thanks Casey!

i too am interested in what our resident experts here think. There are little differences of details in the critiques, and I understand that the reviewers probably have to listen to many of these over a 4 hour period, so it certainly is easier to just have kinda the template of the critique ready to go and tweak it. But for me at first glance, my thinking is/was that these two pieces are more different from each other than similar...

But anyway...

Thanks so much!
- Mark

[macomposer]

Hi Mark, I'd never call myself an expert on anything (or even resident ) but I do have some opinions that I hope help a little.

Bearing in mind the listing is for something to replace a temp track it makes sense to submit something that has a very similar vibe, and maybe structure (because the temp track might have perfect timing to fit the video action). Therefore, I don't think the second submission is close enough. I do get a sense of covert surveillance from it but not in the same way as the Fletch theme (which is funky, syncopated and with a sparse lightness that subtly hints at the comedic nature of the movie). The bell wouldn't upset me too much but the screener most likely has far more experience on these things and might know that it would be too distracting. Basically, you have a very good retro sounding track but I would say that its not for this listing.

As for the first submission, I'm looking at listing where it says.... 'should have dramatic motifs, catchy melodies and solid arrangements with plenty of dynamics, forward movement, and interest throughout. I think it has far more of the right elements and, as Casey says, is much closer to what's being asked for. What I'm not getting is the funky lightness, or the sense of structure. The Fletch theme is a simple AABAABAA... and you get a strong memorable identity in the A sections as they unfold, then a distinct contrast in the B section, so it stays interesting. The intro followed by the first section of 'Sneaky Moves' doesn't have that easy identity, so I don't think it fits the brief. What might have helped the structure would have been to omit the intro, and even to start with the more defined section that begins at 1:40 but using the more sparse drums from the first section, and then add a more intense B section with contrast, but it still wouldn't match the funky vibe of the temp track.

So, IMHO (as a non-expert) neither track is an undeniable 'forward', but I'm not sure where that leaves you in terms of the feedback. I don't see the two comments as cut/paste, and if the structure of both is not a good fit then I can understand the screener mentioning that as a common feature, even if there are other things that they could have said in addition.

Anyway, I hope there's something there that helps in some way, but would defer to others for real 'expertise'.

Thank you Funk!!

There was a lot in there that helps. I appreciate you bringing your detailed thoughtfulness to the discussion, as you always do.

I am certainly not upset about the 2nd piece, and with a bit of distance, not as bothered by the 1st submission either... My main issue really was in the critiques sounding so similar at first read.. but I take your points.

Thanks again,
- Mark