How do I write this Superhero demo that is asking for cinematic action music but they DON’T want it to sound like traditional Marvel, etc scores?

How often does this happen to a composer where they are asked the impossible.  Write superhero music that doesn’t sound like superhero music.  Write music that is cinematic but quirky, unique and different.  So basically write cinematic superhero action music that isn’t cinematic superhero action music. LOL.

This particular animation brief I was working on also had an interesting ask - find a particular instrument or sound that could be identifiable with their show to make it unique.

What do we do with this?  How do you process this all as a composer?

Unique Sounds & libraries are a starting point for briefs like this.  Fortunately for me I have a plethora of unique one of a kind sounds that I can pull from for these types of situations, I also am a firm believer of recording other musicians and/or myself to create unique sounds per project.  This demo was the ideal candidate for all of the above. Having great sounds and libraries in your pocket from Triumph Audio, your own stash and other libraries is crucial for being ready when the ask comes in.

Composing isn’t always just pulling up the orchestral template and jumping in.  Much of it is the thinking that goes on before you even walk into the studio.  I personally like to read the composer demo briefs and let it sit in my head for a few hours up to a few days.  I think our subconscious works on problems for us.  Ever dream all night about a project or anxiety producing situation?  Ever wake up in the middle of the night with a great idea or solution to your problem?  I have!  This is why I know that the sub conscious  is always at work.

So back to the question at hand - how do we as composers deal with briefs that are seemingly contradictory and head scratchingly confusing?  How do we do epic without it being epic.  Cartoony without it being cartoony, etc.

Some insights I have gained over the years as a composer trying out for many game, tv and film projects.

1. They don’t always mean what they say.   A lot of creatives want their thing to be special so they want the music to be special.  So if they ask for a Marvel inspired score somehow in their mind that’s not special enough.  Their score has to be the most unique score ever known to man.  We all know this is impossible.  We also know that music is music and there is only so many ways to do it.  So read those briefs with a healthy dose of reality.  You may not want to take it all at face value.

2. There is some truth in their ask.  Ok yes they want a super original score.  It is our goal to create something unique to their project.  So it should be our goal to make that happen.  How can we do that with a super confusing brief?  How do we navigate that?  This bring me to my next point….

3. Be yourself.  Be authentic. In these demos you need to bring your SELF Game - Your “A” game via your own unique personal vision.  What do you do as a composer that makes you unique?  What is your brand?  What makes you YOU?  For me its my love of combining genres, unique sounds, original sounds all within a well produced generally cinematic world of sound. This is where my personal and professional sample libraries come in handy!

4. Trust your gut.  If you have been doing this long enough you may know that you just gotta go for it and write the best music you can and follow your instincts.  It may benefit you to take a very unique angle to the music, it may benefit you to throw out much of the brief to write something that will in the very least stand out.  Get their attention - be bold and different.

5. Find your own voice. My friend and agent has told me many times that music executives, supervisors and always looking for the unique thing that says and sounds different while still hitting the right vibes. The right approach may mean to really truly do your own thing.

To sum up and conclude this little rant we need to circle back to why we started writing music in the first place.  We just have a burning desire to create.  Right?  Think back to why you starting writing music. Remember the burning passion you had in the beginning?  You just had to write music, you had to write songs, you had to play your instrument.  You had to CREATE.  Where does this magic come from?  It’s a huge part of being a human - creating.  We see it everywhere around us.

So listen up composer….. When you are in these challenging situations you gotta put your head down, let your subconscious do its thing, do your research, know who you are as an artist and then let it all go and CREATE with PASSION.

Want to hear my “not a superhero demo that’s sorta superhero”? Want to hear what a track sounds like ONLY using samples from released and unreleased Triumph Audio libraries? Click here to listen!

Go get em!

Kevin Manthei