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I have scored and/or written songs for several independent films and videos. I’ve written by myself, with Linda Taylor (the guitarist from Whose Line), and with Curt Anderson (the drummer from Trinket).

Scoring is such an interesting, almost subliminal art form. In a way, when a score is at its best, you don’t notice it consciously. But it sure can move you on a sub-conscious level! A good score helps shape the scenes, give them flow and rhythm.

Scoring is such a collaborative process, working with the director, writer, and producers toward a shared vision. Sometimes they have very little musical background to be able to tell you (in musical terms) what it is they want. I feel my background in theater and improv has helped me in this area. Partly because I’m used to talking with non-musicians about music. Also, accompanying theater has given me a good sense of scenic structure; how music can work with dialog, heighten the underlying emotions of the scene, or serve as a transition from scene to scene. Sometimes musicians find it frustrating that in scoring film, serving the scene must always take precedence over purely musical considerations. To me, that’s the interesting challenge. Plus, I just love the collaborative process!