Game Art Connect Ltd presents a new live event series, Game Music Connect post_date for fans of music in games, aspiring and professional composers of all backgrounds and those interested in learning about the art and science of creating today’s cutting edge video game soundtracks. Featuring interviews and roundtable discussions with some of the world’s leading composers and audio directors in the video games industry, the first Game Music Connect event is scheduled to take place at Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room, London on September 9, 2013.
An interview and more information continue after the jump…
Here’s a brief interview with John Broomhall and James Hannigan about the new event.
Why celebrate games composers and their work?
Broomhall: “We’re delighted to be welcoming some prodigious music talent to Game Music Connect in London. Making a videogame is a huge team effort and many talents are brought to bear. But I think it’s fair to say the composer of a game score creates a particularly significant influence on the player experience. You could certainly argue that game composers are sometimes the unsung heroes. We want to celebrate and recognise their work. The right music approach can even help define a franchise’s IP – some of the big industry players are taking that very seriously. An important part of Game Music Connect is asking these top flight composers to talk in depth about the way they approach their craft and what goes on behind the scenes – plus how they got into game scoring and what motivates them to continue in it now. We want to celebrate AND explore the art and business of making game music.”
What’s any different about game music to say film or TV scoring?
Hannigan: “There are (also) structural and technical considerations that make creating music for games a little different from linear media like movies. Interactive game-play poses some challenges for a composer and game team if they want the music to closely reflect the onscreen action – because when and how it happens are driven by game players themselves. So you have to figure out flexible replay techniques to account for that…
You’ll also have some heavyweight audio managers at Game Music Connect – what’s the thinking there?
Hannigan: “An absolutely key person in the game music process and pipeline is the Audio Director. He/she is likely to play a key role in choosing, hiring and briefing the composer plus dealing with them day-to-day. This hugely important role is one we will explore at Game Music Connect and we will have some leading audio directors on hand who between them, have vast industry experience and are eminently qualified to discuss game music from the client side. For anybody aspiring to write game music, this should be particularly interesting…”
Broomhall: “It’s also amazing to have representation from the central services groups of two massive industry ‘platform holders’. The likes of Paul Lipson and Alastair Lindsay (who are also both great composers btw) have a unique view on the industry, not only responsible for facilitating top class music in specific titles, but also helping define the quality bar for their platform. Any insights they can provide should be highly valuable to our audience…”
How did Game Music Connect come about?
Hannigan: “Game Music Connect is the realization of many hours’ conversation John and I have had together talking about this wonderful thing we are privileged to have been involved in all these years. It can bring its challenges and disappointments for sure but it’s also amazing and humbling to think about the contribution it makes to peoples enjoyment of videogames. Take Videogames Live – the Royal Festival Hall, London stuffed to the gills with gamers going absolutely nuts like a rock concert – but it’s not a rock band – it’s the symphony playing their favourite game music – you see that and then you really get it.”
Tickets for this unique edutainment day go on sale today via www.gamemusicconnect.com.The premiere UK event series dedicated to celebrating and exploring the craft of video game music, Game Music Connect will host a distinguished line-up of British and international A-list composer talent featuring Martin O’Donnell (Destiny, Halo series), Jason Graves (Tomb Raider, Dead Space series,Resistance: Burning Skies), Jesper Kyd (Assassin’s Creed series, Hitman series, Borderlands series), James Hannigan (Dead Space 3, Command & Conquer series, Harry Potter series), Richard Jacques (Mass Effect, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, LittleBigPlanet 2) and Joris de Man (Killzone series) – and will be hosted by composer, audio director and commentator John Broomhall (X-COM series, Transport Tycoon, A Christmas Carol).
Leading audio directors from both independent and major developers and publishers include Paul Lipson (Composer & Music/Audio Director – Microsoft Studios), Alastair Lindsa y(Music Production Manager – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe WWSE), Martin O’Donnell (Audio Director/Composer – Bungie Studios), Steve Lord (Head of Audio – Jagex) as well as freelance audio directors Nick Laviers (Dead Space 3, Assassin’s Creed Revelations) and Adele Cutting (founder of SoundCuts and former EA Audio Director). The day’s programming will comprise of in-depth discussions with these celebrated composers and audio directors, including insights into their diverse career paths and scoring experiences as well as practical demonstrations of interactive music and previews of next-gen original scores. The day will feature a composer panel exploring the evolution of video game music and a philosophical discussion of the art form and its future. Full details of the day’s sessions, involving a mixture of composers and audio directors, will be announced in the coming weeks. Game Music Connect is post_date by BAFTA award winner and five-time Original Music nominated composer James Hannigan and veteran game audio director, composer, sound designer and industry commentator John Broomhall, to celebrate and explore the music of video games together and the extraordinary talent behind it. Game Music Connect micro-events are also in development to spotlight individual composers’ careers and key works.
For more information and to register for Game Music Connect, visit www.gamemusicconnect.com