Steve Probst

I'm always posting about the "yes's" that make it through a pitch. Well, here's a "no". It needed to be less somber and more “inspirational” for the client. You live/write and you learn to respect the feedback, knowing the track could find a home somewhere else. And every time a track is written, new insights about the skills required to get to the final product are gained. 

Here's the second of three tracks that has been signed with a music library for use in TV and film. I had an assignment to write “Magical Orchestral”. After perusing a huge list of titles given for the task, this one peaked my interest, “The Knowledge of Good and Evil”.

I used no visual aides to get this one started like I had for the previous track posted.

I couldn't help but think of Adam and Eve and that infamous tree of forbidden fruit.  But the genre is in a magical, possibly “Harry Potter-ish” kind of setting so I did't want the mood to get too dark. I thought it should have a little mysterious “good” mixed with “playful” evil (if that's even possible!) Hence the beginning comes in, ends at 0:40 with an “edit point” and that brings you into, oh I don't know, the wizardly evil section?

And once again, many thanks to a couple of new friends and veteran composers with the music library who helped me dial in the mix to get things where it needed to be.

Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film/Publishing pro that will hear it next."
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Several INSPIRING, CINEMATIC ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Music Library with International distribution, that has landed a lot of Major Network placements.

This Company is looking for Instrumentals in the general stylistic ballpark of the examples below:

"Kiss of Sunlight" by Cody Martin

"Feel The Heartbeat" by Melodality

"Arrival of the Birds & Transformation" by the Cinematic Orchestra

"Bittersweet" by Michael Maas

Quoting The Client: "Looking for inspiring cinematic instrumentals with orchestral instrumentation that features acoustic piano or nylon string acoustic guitar. They should be inspiring, hopeful, and beautiful sounding, with a touch of romance (nothing sad or dramatic)."

Please submit Orchestral Instrumentals with an inspiring, Cinematic sound that could work well for a variety of sync placements! Your submissions should have hopeful-sounding melodies and dynamic arrangements with lots of forward motion and interest throughout. Orchestral instrumentation that features acoustic piano or nylon string guitar, and is in the general wheelhouse of the references will work best for this pitch. Please make sure that any virtual instruments or samples you use are high quality and realistic.

Your submissions should be about 90 seconds to 2 minutes long, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

Here's 1 of 3 tracks that has been signed with a music library for use in TV and film. I had an assignment to write “Magical Orchestral” and one of the titles I had to choose from was “Joy of Paradise”.

Hmmm, how to get started?

I “googled” “Joy of Paradise” and click on images. Here's what I chose:

Ah, here we go! Heavenly paradise. It turned out to be a painting of the Resurrection, but all I needed was a quick-start to get the piece rolling. A melody started forming from the visual in front of me, and then I was off on another writing adventure.

I learned that this painting, “The Resurrection” by American artist, Robert Clark, can be seen at Forest Lawn in Glendale, CA. I'm going to be making the trip myself.

Many thanks to a couple of new friends and veteran composers with the music library who helped me dial in the mix to get things where it needed to be.

Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film/Publishing pro that will hear it next."

INTERNATIONALLY-Flavored DRAMEDY INSTRUMENTALS and/or INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed for a TAXI COMPILATION going directly to A WHOLE BUNCH of our favorite Music Licensing Companies and Ad Agencies for Film, TV, and Advertising placements! 

We’re not giving references for this request, as we think they may be too limiting or misleading than helpful. 

Please submit top-notch Dramedy Instrumentals (or Cues) with a distinct international flavor. Your submissions should convey a typical "Dramedy" sound and feel while incorporating traditional styles and/or instruments from other countries including (but not limited to): Japan, Mexico, China, Korea, Peru, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, India, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jamaica, etc. etc. etc. 

Your submissions should have quirky motifs, solid arrangements, and excellent musicianship. Craft your pieces around a central motif and layer instrumentation in and out as they progress to create a sense of forward motion, dynamics, and interest. Please be sure your production is polished and any virtual sounds or instruments you may choose to use are state-of-the-art and high-quality. If you have tracks that can convey a playfully mischievous vibe as well as help to establish an international context, send them in! 

TAXI Tip: There is a lot of room to get creative with this request since we are NOT searching for typical Dramedy Instrumentals and Cues, so please think outside the box by changing up the cadences, rhythms, instrumentation, etc. 

Our A&R team will have a simple mandate: Is it GREAT? Does it scream "Dramedy"? Does it sound ready to go as it is? Would it work well for placements in Film, TV, and Advertising? Would TAXI's clients be happy to hear this on the playlist we send them? The bar will be high for this request. 

All submissions should be about 2 to 4 minutes long for Instrumentals and roughly 90 seconds to 2 minutes for Cues, give or take. Do not submit any material with unauthorized samples of other artists’ Songs, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.