Who Are The Real Writers of Movie Scores?

In the 21st-century Hollywood music scene, the reality of creating scores is far from glamorous. One Emmy-winning cable series composer described it as akin to operating in an underground world, a situation reminiscent of a real pimp. He highlighted the gruelling hours, meagre pay, and the challenging dynamics of working under a lead composer who often delegates the actual composition and recording work.

The frustrations were evident as he recounted a tense moment when the lead composer faced a meltdown because the director was arriving to review the music, yet nothing was ready as it was all on the composer's malfunctioning computer. Despite the laughter that followed, the underlying irritation and dismay were palpable.

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Another composer echoed these sentiments, emphasising the lack of contracts and union protections, leaving them at the mercy of potentially unethical collaborators. This sentiment is widespread among those who day in and day out craft melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to synchronise with visuals on screen.

The call for change is coming from within, with composers like Joe Kraemer publicly committing to fair practices and vowing not to exploit ghostwriters disguised as assistants. Even established figures like Zimmer acknowledge the need for fairness in the industry.

Financial challenges, exacerbated by streaming disruptions, further complicate matters. Yet, there's cautious optimism among composers like Lurie, who believe in the enduring demand for human-driven, meticulous music creation that leaves a lasting impact on audiences.

However, amidst this hope, the looming question remains: How will composers navigate and sustain themselves in an industry fraught with challenges and uncertainties?"

-Sushmita Sarkar