Rating: 
Summary: A Valuble Gem for the Aspiring Film Composer
Review: Film composer Richard Davis's Complete Guide to Film Scoring is indeed complete. It is the only book I know that has all the fundamentals of composing the music for a film, from the spotting to the recording session and mix, giving fascinating facts and detail along the way. It even includes the financial part of the composing process and the agents, royalties copyrights, and contracts involved. As I first found my love for film composing, I knew nothing much of it and had many questions with no one to answer them. This book not only answered them but shed more light on vague parts of composing and even inspired me. The interviews of the various and rising new composers were delightful and the beginning chapter describing the development of early film music and its various developing styles and composers was very insightful and delighting to read. Richard Davis's book is a must-have for any aspiring film composer. Such knowledge that this book has comes only with experience but Richard Davis easily explains it so we don't have to learn it the hard way.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: I'm interested in a profession in film scoring and this book answered all my questions and I feel I now have a good foundation to build on.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect book for getting the big Picture...
Review: My partner and I are just starting to get into this business, but here in Switzerland, getting information on this industry is not so easy. Richard Davis' book was just what the doctor ordered for giving us a view into the different facets of the business; from who does what and when to what to be aware of when it comes to getting your pay. Be warned that the book is about the business and not about getting into the business. Although the author is very postive, and very constructive, there is no discussion about managers, or agents, or any specifics about where one might begin to make calls, send demos or knock on doors. But that wasn't what the author was aiming for, and the book does not lack because of it. The interviews with producing composers are fabulous, as well as the plethora of quotes from varied professionals in the business. If you're only going to get one book to find out about the film scoring business, this is the one to get.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect book for getting the big Picture...
Review: My partner and I are just starting to get into this business, but here in Switzerland, getting information on this industry is not so easy. Richard Davis' book was just what the doctor ordered for giving us a view into the different facets of the business; from who does what and when to what to be aware of when it comes to getting your pay. Be warned that the book is about the business and not about getting into the business. Although the author is very postive, and very constructive, there is no discussion about managers, or agents, or any specifics about where one might begin to make calls, send demos or knock on doors. But that wasn't what the author was aiming for, and the book does not lack because of it. The interviews with producing composers are fabulous, as well as the plethora of quotes from varied professionals in the business. If you're only going to get one book to find out about the film scoring business, this is the one to get.
Rating: 
Summary: Learn step-by-step the Berklee approach to film scoring
Review: This is a comprehensive guide, essential for anyone interested in he business, process, and procedures of writing music for film or television. It covers topics such as the film-making process, preparing and recording a score, and the business side of film scoring including contracts, fees, publishing, royalties, and copyrights. The book is rounded off with amazing interviews with 19 established film scoring professionals like Michael Kamen (Mr. Holland's Opus, Brazil), Alf Clausen (The Simpsons, Naked Gun), Alan Silvestri (Forrest Gump, Contact), Mark Snow (X-Files, Millenium), and Elmer Bernstein (To Kill a Mockingbird, Airplane, Rainmaker) The Emmy and Annie winning composer Alf Clausen writes "This is splendidly-constructed reference manual with a winning combination of technical expertise and the human touch of a film composer's life experiences. It will serve as a great motivator for all composers burning for a career in the film industry." Nancy Knutsen, Vice President of the Film & Television Repertory, ASCAP, says "I've spent my entire professional life working with composers, from the most talented and successful to those just beginning their career. This guide has captured it all, from the history of film music to modern-day trends, as well as providing invaluable information about the music business." I've seen the other options, and no other book out there comes close to this one in its knowledge and presentation of the film scoring.
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