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  3. Feature FIlms Scored Solely with VSL

  • Feature FIlms Scored Solely with VSL

    M
    M

    I'm wondering how many feature films have been produced solely or nearly solely with VSL. I have two reasons for asking.  The first is because I couldn't find an answer to the question, at least not quickly.  Maybe I haven't figured out where to look yet or maybe there aren't many. The second is that I recently did score a feature film almost entirely with VSL (not just temp mock-ups) and I'm wondering how unique it is or isn't.  

    I'll hold off on talking about the film for now.  The producers are just now in the midst of seeing what sort of distribution they can work out.

    Your responses would be appreciated.
  • H
    H
    Well the most well known one is the movie "Underworld". This was entirely done with the VSL .. there's some blurb about it in the Projects section. I'm sure there are many PC games and smaller films the use the VSL .. I'm using it right now to Score Starship Farragut .. but this is a no budget situation so it hardly counts as a big hollywood film. So I guess it depends on what kind of films you're looking at. But anyways .. there's one.
  • M
    M

    OK. Thanks for the info. It seems there is some question as to whether the VSL got replaced in that film or not or if it was heavily mixed with other things. It would be nice to know.

    But I'd like to hear about other feature films that are out there. Probably not any of the real high budget ones since they tend to go straight to orchestra.

    But say at minimum....any feature length film that is getting some play either at film festivals, a limited theatrical release or some successful distribution going directly to DVD.

    The film I did was in the 1 to 2 million dollar budget range so it was a serious endeaver but not big enough for an orchestra.

    So if you are reading this, speak up if you can.  I want to hear.
  • M
    M

    hetoreyn,

      

    You said "there's some blurb about it in the Projects section", concerning the movie "Underworld".  I confess I didn't know where to find the Projects section.  But I finally found it. I was looking in the demo zone before.  Anyway, I found it interesting to see that there are hardly any films listed in the Projects section that fit my criteria:

      

    "But say at minimum....any feature length film that is getting some play either at film festivals, a limited theatrical release or some successful distribution going directly to DVD." 

    Maybe "Underworld". Not sure. "Here to me" is a short film, not feature length. Perhaps "Danny the Dog" is the closest with the only side note being that it shows only the VSL strings being used. Then finally there is "Lady Death" by the very talented Bill Brown and also the "Nutcracker".  These both appear to fit the criteria except that they are both 80 minute cartoons.  This is not to belittle any of these marvelous projects.  I'm just saying, if what I have is unique or nearly so I'm going to want to let the folks at VSL take a look.  If it’s commonplace, someone please just let me know. Give me some movie titles and shut me up.
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD
    We had a similar thread recently:

    -> [URL]http://community.vsl.co.at/forums/p/11131/83050.aspx#83050[/URL]

    HTH!

    /Dietz
    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • M
    M

    Yes...Dietz, That is helpful. I didn't find any new movies to put on my list though.  I guess the main thing I get from that thread is that it would naturally be uncommon for a feature film to be scored with VSL exclusively just because most composers use multiple libraries.  And the bigger films with live orchestras tend not to credit VSL when they do use some of the library mixed in. 

    I, on the other hand, don't feel the need to hide VSL because it's clear there is no live orchestra when you check the film credits at the end.  But nobody's saying it sounds synthetic or something.  In my situation, instead of hiding it, like it's my secret weapon, I embrace it, even make it a selling point.   I live in a very artsy city that wants, very badly, to be the next film Meca.  But we don't have the kind of film music infrastructure that LA would have for instance. 

    With my limited budget I decided to invest heavily in VSL from the start and really try to become adept at using it.  So many people have so many tech toys and gadgets but become master of none.  I bought the complete Pro Edition with the Performance Set, plus the Epic Horns, Chamber Strings, and French Oboe.  That's a very powerful tool if it's put in the right hands.  And that's how I scored nearly this entire film with VSL.  The only big exception was the use of piano, which VSL didn't have at the time anyway and then occasionally grabbing one instrument here or there from other libraries.  Other than the piano, I'd say it's about 95% VSL.

    So I'm still waiting and anxious to hear about other films but I'm beginning to think I'm not going to hear too much more.

    I'll just wait here for a while..............tick...tock... tick... tock... tick...tock.......
  • A
    A

    In recent months I noticed dozens of orchestral music in cinematic releases, as well tv productions and advertising tracks with non-real orchestral soundtracks made with samples solely.
  • M
    M

    Well there. You see?  I knew they were out there.  Angelo, you have noticed dozens of them just recently.  Then it should be real easy to come up with a name or two.  I know VSL is used extensively in film, tv and commercials. And so it should.

    You might have missed the part though where I was limiting my search to (a) feature length films and (b) solely VSL samples. 

    Angelo, can you think of some names? that also fit my criteria?  That would be most helpful.

    I just had a thought though.  Maybe a lot of those films are work that people don't want to own up to. Or it was work they had to do quickly and maybe isn't something they want to show off.  Or maybe the movie is just awful. Or the score is just downright amateur work that VSL wouldn't want to be associated with anyway. 

    Does that sound right? Anybody?
  • A
    A
     [D]  

     

    Sounds okay Mr. Mahag.

     

    But don't you hear what is VSL and what is not? Also consider that nearly nobody gives a damn what sample library is used in a soundtrack of a cinematic release. I for one don't give a damn what the title was of most movies I saw. For the producer of the film it is out of question to credit a product who is not part of the sponsoring concept. I certainly would never mention, or make free advertising for any product. So the only way left to find out if there is VSL in the soundtrack is by going to the cinema with the children and watch the kiddie stuff, or wait until the DVD is released. All presumed you have the talent to seperate the real stuff from the virtual.
  • M
    M

    If I understand you right (which I am having a little trouble doing, by the way) I think you are reaffirming my notion that hardly anyone is going to speak up and name names, even if they do exist.
  • A
    A

    Yes, that's what I tried to say.

    My English is terrible, I know, but guess what...

    .
  • M
    M

    OK. I think I'll give it a rest for now then.  But I'm still interested in finding out about other films scored nearly completely with VSL.  And I'll state my criteria once again:

    "say at minimum....any feature length film that is getting some play either at film festivals, a limited theatrical release or some successful distribution going directly to DVD." 

    So if you are reading this and it is still the last post in this thread you know I am still waiting for other film names that would fit my criteria.
  • G
    G
    You could check out the thriller "Eternal" 2004, all done with VSL co-wrote by yours truly. The feature film never met expectancy but the music got great reviews. VSL has done leaps since... that was done in 2003.
  • M
    M

    Guy,

    Thanks for mentioning that movie.  I should have listed it myself earlier and would have if I had read the page under "Projects" at the VSL site about you more carefully.  Love your work! When I was working on my recent film I wanted so badly to start working with the Vienna Instruments, which, I know you are a pro at. But the learning curve and changes in setup would have brought my work to a complete standstill.  I'm glad I took heed to my own rule which is -  Never make big changes in software in the middle of an important project.  So everything was done with the Pro Edition.  Now I’m working my way into the Vienna Instruments. It’s hard to predict how well any feature film will do at the box office regardless of whether it’s a supposedly good film or a bad film.  Just too many factors involved.