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Moving Forward

I started this site to be a resource for DIY film composers like me. I wanted to publish content that I wish I had access to when I was early in my journey. I haven’t been able to post in a while because life and work have gotten in the way, but I want to keep this resource alive.

It’s important to me that this site stays freely accessible. That’s why I’m converting everything to a Creative Commons license, removing all ads, and disabling monetization from affiliate links. I’ve also made the previously paid downloads free. I’m not going to write sponsored posts or promote products that I don’t genuinely endorse. It is more true to the original intent of the site.

Moving forward, I hope to post things that I find interesting or useful to the DIY film composer, or just the interested reader. If you find this site useful, feel free to build upon it and share it with others. I appreciate those who have supported me thus far, and hope to add more content soon. Thanks for reading!

Hans Zimmer Scores ‘Dune’

musical notes on composition paper

There are a few things more exciting than the release of a big budget film – unless you’re a film music fanatic (guilty). In that case you may be even more excited about the soundtrack. Hans Zimmer is back to work on yet another epic: a highly anticipated science-fiction premiere. With a nearly 50-year career in music composition, Zimmer has established himself as the zeitgeist of 21st-century film scoring by expertly blending electronic sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements. His latest accomplishment is ‘Dune,’ a Denis Villeneuve film based on the novel of the same name written by Frank Herbert (and a bizarre David Lynch adaptation from 1984).

About the Film

‘Dune’ follows the story of Paul Atreides, who is played by Timothée Chalamet, as he is caught in the middle of warring families who are fighting over the planet Arrakis. In this desert world, dangers greet visitors in the form of shifting sands and backstabbing politics. However, its value lies in that it is the only source of spice or “melange,” a substance that serves as the fuel for space travel in the Dune universe.

The film has been well-received so far with praises sung for Villeneuve’s signature smart and stylish sci-fi conception. Fans of Blade Runner 2049 (Zimmer scored that as well) will certainly enjoy this film, and anybody who takes interest in science-fiction and economic-based conflict with a bit of peculiarity thrown in will certainly love it too. The film takes a solemn tone, so it is not for those expecting lively, emotion-filled scenes onscreen.

Hans Zimmer’s Spectacular Score


Like with any of his film scores, Hans Zimmer combines different voices and instruments to create an otherworldly feel. A book covering the film score of Kung Fu Panda 3 examined how one of his key influences is Chinese music, which allowed him to incorporate different techniques into his scores. Much of his scores center on cyclical and percussive tones and rhythms. Subtle yet persistent tones characterize crucial moments on screen when Zimmer composes, and he makes effective use of crescendos that never fully reach their peak. He has done the same with ‘Dune’, adding an element of mystery that overarches the gravity of what’s at stake in the film. Through the uniformity of his compositions, Hans Zimmer succeeds in creating a sense of novelty. This is because he always approaches steady rhythms with newer electronic sounds to lend the overall mood of his scores some modernity. ‘Dune’ is just that — modern prowess struggling to find its footing amidst economic and political struggle.

He was so inspired by the concept and execution of ‘Dune’ that he actually composed two more original scores. He wrote music not only for the film’s theatrical release but also for its making-of book that is set to be published in tandem with the film’s release in October. His enthusiasm is no surprise considering that ‘Dune’ was one of his favorite novels as a child. He even turned down composing music for the Christopher Nolan film Tenet to jump at this opportunity.

What’s Next for Hans Zimmer?

As one of the world’s most prolific composers, Zimmer has a lot on his plate. He recently scored the latest Bond film No Time to Die, and his next big film will be the Top Gun sequel. He also has an upcoming tour that will see him travel Europe in the first quarter of 2022.

For more news and information we cover the works of top composers.

New Film Project in the Works

DIY Film Composer will go on a brief hiatus for the next few weeks as I work on a new film project.

I am composing the music for a short film that is slated to get a festival premiere in the spring. As I craft the score, I plan on documenting every step along the way. Then I will share the experience here in a series of in-depth DIY posts that walk through the entire process. Hopefully you’ll be able to learn from my workflow (and my missteps).

Stay tuned, great things are coming!

The Composers Behind “Stranger Things” (Video)

Stranger Things Composers

Check out this video posted by Vanity Fair where they interviewed the composers for “Stranger Things” on Netflix. There are some really interesting tidbits in here, and the way they fell into being film composers just goes to show that if you do what you love, anything can happen.

Follow the link below!

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