Chasing Notes is the first documentary of its kind – focusing on the real-life challenges and demands faced by film composers as they apply their craft in a surprisingly competitive field. Broader than that, however, it captures the spirit of chasing one’s dreams, which is an aspect of life that we have all experienced at one point. This film introduces you to the personalities of those who write the music we love in our movies, showing you a human side of an overlooked industry. As you get to know the key players of film composing, and hear their widely entertaining (and at times painful) tales of experience, you will also witness the emotional journey of an emerging composer attempting to break through into the industry at all costs.
Capturing the very essence of the independent spirit, Chasing Notes shares candid stories intertwined with behind-the-scene nuggets about what it’s really like to be a composer in Hollywood today, and how some will brake for nothing to succeed at it.
“The work of composers is often unheralded within the pantheon of the movie industry,” said producer and IFMCA member Tom Hoover. “With this film, we hope to bring more awareness about the unique contributions these artists make while also spotlighting the difficult journey aspiring composers take to seize their opportunities in this highly competitive arena.”
Though music is the focal point in Chasing Notes, the overarching motif is the chase we all embark on to make our dreams a reality. By seeing a year-in-the life of emerging composer, Jaymee Carpenter (who also scored the film), we get to witness an inspiring message come to life through his resilience and artistry. Jaymee interviews many of today’s top working film and television composers, including Nathan Barr, Marco Beltrami, Harry Gregson-Williams, John Ottman, Christopher Young, Christophe Beck, Theodore Shapiro, Deborah Lurie, George S. Clinton, Greg Edmonson, and Peter Golub, the director of the Sundance Film Music Program.
“This film captures a year in my life as a struggling up and coming film and television composer, but broader than that, it captures the spirit of what it means to throw everything on the line to chase one’s dreams,” said Carpenter. “I had the opportunity to interview and get to know some of the biggest names in the world of music composition for this film. I was also given the opportunity of composing the film’s soundtrack, which was one of the most interesting artistic experiences of my life. But make no mistake, it was one of the hardest years of my life as a musician, father and husband. This experience led to a new-found humility regarding the process of making music and living life.”
The film debuted on September 6th at the United Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA, and the screening was followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and some of the composers featured in the documentary.
For more information about the film, including screening locations, visit http://www.chasingnotes.com/
