Customer Reviews
An excellent primer 
2008-03-02
I'm just getting seriously interested in composition and music for films and I literally knew nothing about the process. This book was an excellent overall primer, was written very plainly and clearly and I walked away feeling like I understood the entire process of film scoring, all the steps involved, people involved, how royalties worked, how to get started, etc. I also really enjoyed the last section which contained many good interviews with seasoned composers. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you are just getting started.
Excellent Resource, Absolutely Must Read 2007-11-21
I've come to recognize that any of the Berklee Press books will be excellent, but this book exceeded my expectation in nearly every way. Even though this is a textbook, it reads easily, and just as important, it is inexpensive. I was expecting a much smaller book for the price, and was surprised by the amount of material covered.
The only negative thing I could say about this book was that I had kind of expected more musical examples and tricks, for example that a whole tone scale is commonly used for dream sequences. There really isn't that kind of material covered in this book at all.
What is covered is the various legal and practical aspects of making film music as a profession, and it is covered very well.
I definitely recommend this book for anyone considering a career in film music, or even to someone who is interested in film music.
Finally, a bit of trivia from the book: Where much of the classical community derides John Williams' Star Wars score as being a rip-off of Holst's Planets, it turns out that Williams actually had to convince Lucas to use original material, in the style of the planets suite, instead of Holst's Planets itself which was the temp track.
wonderful book 2007-10-17
This is simply a wonderful book, essential for a composer interested in film sountrack world.
Fantastic insight 2007-07-13
This book arrived at my house yesterday, and I have since nearly completed it. I really can't put it down. This book is a real gem, with interviews of the real pros whose work you have certainly already heard. This book really gives you an extensive background of music in movies and a formidable description of what kind of work it REALLY takes to take on such a monumental task. For someone who is interested in film scoring, it shows you just about everything and everyone you will encounter. The interviews towards the back of the book are total gems. This book was a shot-in-the-dark buy, but a real gem. If you write music and you don't own this... you get the idea.
Beginner or Pro this will work for you 2007-07-03
It`s all Berklee here !!!
Written by the great Richard Davis it`s an invaluable book that reveals the film scoring process.
It's just perfect for people who wants to begin a composer career. Very practical to read.
And if you're pro this will ilustrate you how to do it better, and have some important considerations
WARNING!!! This book will make you WANT to become a Film Compoer! 
2007-06-28
An essential resource for both students and professionals, offering shrewd insight into the business, process, and art of writing music for film and TV. Interviews with top film scoring professionals add the priceless insight of the wisdom that comes with experience.
Not a bad book, but not what I expected 
2007-01-11
When I bought "The Complete Guide to Film Scoring", i wasn't expecting it to be so... complete.
Actually, being a music major i was expecting a much more musical approach to this subject. I was interested in examples and more detailed information about how to write music for a film. The book includes this subject in a chapter, but it is treated pretty generaly.
What I found, and in really detailed way, were the means of making money with your score, full of examples, different approaches and all the necessary data to take full advantage of your score. However, it didn't satisfy me too much.
This Book Is The Best 2006-11-10
I am a film music composition student and this is the most detailed book that I have read on the subject. The interviews with well-known film composers are really good. I highly recommend this book.
Fantastic 2005-09-30
This book is very thorough and a great read. Detailed and not boring. I highly recommend it for any aspiring film composer, there is a lot of information in it.
Informative and frank 2005-07-13
Concise description of the various aspects of a career in composing scores for films. Clear and useful outline of the technical components of working in the film score world. Good discussion of the business aspects as well. Interviewws with different composers and agents gives a sober but realistic look at working in the upper levels of the business. Not as much discussion of the intermediate and lower levels where most people will find themselves, at least at the start of their careers. Well worth the price.
