SOCAN #ComposersWhoScore took advantage of a wide range of opportunities for education, development, and networking during the 2024 edition of the VIFF Amp Music in Media Summit, which took place Oct. 1-4 in Vancouver, under the auspices of the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
VIFF Amp nurtures, educates, and champions emerging and newly established music professionals (composers, songwriters, music entrepreneurs). The 2024 edition offered creative insights, mentorship, and career opportunities via the SOCAN-sponsored Composer Filmmaker Accelerator (CFA) program, panels, workshops, 1:1 dialogues, interactive sessions, masterclasses, case studies, breakout sessions, musical showcases, and more from international experts in the “music for media” space.
The Composer Filmmaker Accelerator allowed 12 emerging composers to collaborate with four established filmmakers through virtual sessions, and in-person recording and mixing sessions at Vancouver’s The Warehouse Studios, with their compositions being performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Over six weeks, participants developed symphonic scores through collaboration with the filmmakers and mentorship from industry experts. The CFA remains a pivotal program for advancing careers for emerging talent, driving forward the future of music in film.
SOCAN and SOCAN Foundation co-presented a panel on Oct 4, Tips & Tricks for Your Composer Career. The session was moderated by Julien Boumard Coallier from the Foundation, and featured panelists Gagan Singh, SOCAN Creative Executive, Film/TV & Visual Media, and SOCAN Ambassador Robert Kraft. Attendees learned the “dos” and “don’ts” of building a career as a screen composer, and the benefits of being a SOCAN member.
Singh not only attended the keynote presentation from the legendary screen composer A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) – an iconic figure known for redefining Indian film and contemporary music – but met with him to network, consult, and advocate on behalf of SOCAN.
Well-established SOCAN screen composer Mark Korven – who’s scored the acclaimed films The Witch and The Lighthouse, and box-office success The Black Phone – led a session, The Art of Composition. Attendees learned how Korven carved out his unique career arc; how he collaborates with maverick filmmakers like Robert Eggers; how he keeps his process fresh, and stays inspired; and how he invented a new musical instrument, the apprehension engine.
SOCAN, along with the with Core Music Agency, also co-sponsored the Screen Composers Guild of Canada social at VIFF on Oct, 3. The event boasted a great turnout, with lots of our members enjoying the festivities.