Category Archives: writing

Resident Evil 5 Re-Score: Wwise Project

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I am excited to share with you my latest project in the long stream of exciting projects I get to work on at Berklee. I am currently in the Advanced Video Game scoring class with Professor Michael Sweet. These classes are great, in particular, because we choose our own games to work on. This allows one to fill out their reels and get a sense of what it’s like to work on different genres that might be of interest.

Me explaining to my violinists that they should play “like their fingers were spider legs.”

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How to Watch Movies: Why I Will Never be a Film Executive

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This is an exert from my latest article written for On The Willows. I’m excited to be writing for them from time to time.
The first movie I ever cried at was The Lion King. The moment when Mufasa died was the first moment I remember putting myself into a character’s shoes, and pictured losing my dad.
Last week, I saw the Oscar-nominated film, The Descendants. Silent tears leaked out as I felt the hypothetical, unfathomable depth of sorrow, torment, and pain of losing my spouse.
Nothing has changed in these experiences except my nuance of understanding them.

When I was a young high-schooler I had a couple girlfriends who I spent a lot of time with. We had many sleepovers, late night talks…

It’s a Start

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It’s a Start

Well, here I am…. Drowning in technology and failing at using it. The difference between this semester and previous ones is that I’m actually enjoying my work and projects. I definitely enjoyed projects before, but now, even through the frustration there is a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in what I’m producing. 

I look forward to having more to show after this season. I am in the throws of film scoring, and video game scoring. Both are requiring me to up my game in using technology. My meager studio setup is much more functional than before, which helps, but there is the never ending list of things to buy to add to it. It’s easy to get carried away with my wish list. 
There is a fine balance between working on the technology and working on my compositional skill. Sometimes they go together, and other times they are at serious odds.

Classes are riveting, and at least once a week I pinch myself. 
Last week I found myself hanging out with George S. Clinton, film composer, in my seminar class. He was so incredibly nice, helpful, and insightful. I learned an immense amount from him in a short hour class.

George S. Clinton & myself in class
Ok. 

I’m going back to writing music now…

In the month of June

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I apologize for the infrequency of my posting.

Ahem….

And I resume.

Here are some things happening in my world:

  •  Ryan and I are about to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. (aaaawww) We went to the cape this weekend on a little getaway thanks to Ryan’s Mom (thanks Mom!) There was much revelry, romance, movie watching, and beaches. Here’s a little slice of our trip…

In other news…

  • School at Berklee is good. I am studying music theory constantly.
  • I’m working a newish job at my school where I am a media content assistant. I am doing fun things as well as getting the chance to learn some new software like photoshop, dreamweaver, and final cut.
  • I’m trying to strike the balance between being a great musician as a writer and a player/singer. I have been focusing so much on writing and learning the fundamentals in my classes that I am trying to swing the pendulum back toward practicing more, and playing more excellent.
  • The hole in my heart where worship leading once sat has been growing increasingly large lately. I still feel it is a part of my calling, and the longer I am at Berklee, the more I realize how important worship is. Music for no purpose, or selfish purposes is so fleeting.
  • I am trying to use this summer to get my large rear back in shape, so we’ll see how that pans out.

Bedtime…

Sweet Complacency

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I feel like my hands are so slow and incabable today. I brought my cello on this trip and I practiced tonight, but it felt so mechanic. I was so not feeling it. I think in music and sports there are on days and off days. Today was so off. I sang this morning and I couldn’t get my voice sounding strong either.
It wasn’t terrible, it’s just lacks that momentum, the extra push, the full spectrum. Sometimes even if everyone around me tells me it’s amazing I could still feel I did not do my best.

It reminds me again that nothing is perfect here. I can’t always make myself or others happy. This gift is so not my own to keep for myself and my glory. God keeps reminding me of that lately. All honor and every ounce of anything I do belongs to Him. He takes my bad days if my heart is right. I feel so loved. He looks at my heart. It’s the ultimate form of a parent thinking their kid is the best ever because God sees not my outward failings and this human body.

Oh sweet glory fill these limbs and move them still.
Still my heart when it moves for naught.
Nothing captures my heart like you.
You breath life into notes of sweet complacency.