faq

WHO IS THIS COMPETITION FOR?

The GEMS ScoreLive Competition is part of our GEMS music educational program, open to every composer of any age, nationality and country of residence, who feel they can take on the creative challenge to tell a passionate and original story through music. If you want to connect with the heart of Hollywood, live in LA for a month, share your music with an award winning composer during a mentor session in Hollywood. If you want to hear your composition played live and recorded by a professional 65 piece orchestra at a European Studio. If you want to be standing in the same place as the best award winning film composers in the world have recorded. If this is you, if you are ready, then you can join.

OUR AMAZING PRIZES

Two composers will Win first prizes One winner for the Video Score · One winner for the MainTitle Score First Prize Winners

• The ScoreLive Composer of the Year Award 2020
• A 30 minute Live 65 piece Orchestral Recording of your score, at a European Studio
• 100% scholarship to the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Program, Spain 2020
• A one month stay in the heart of Hollywood, Los Angeles at our partner host Upstart
• A one on one mentoring session with Christopher Young at his studios in Los Angeles

WHAT CAN I SCORE?

We have 2 score competition options for you to choose from.

• Option 1 · The Video
• Option 2 · The MainTitle

HOW CAN I APPLY?

You can join here. Simply click on the registration button above that will take you to the registration form, fill in your details, once completed you will be ready to start composing.

WHEN CAN I APPLY?

Now! Registration is open

• Registration opens noon January 1st, 2020 (GMT)
• Registration closes March 1st 2020 noon (GMT) (Compare GMT with your timezone)
• Submission Deadline closes March 1st 2020 noon (GMT) (Compare GMT with your timezone)
• You can not submit after the deadline
• The deadline can not be extended

REGISTRATION CHECK LIST

To register you need the following details ready

• your name
• email address
• telephone number with country code
• country of citizenship
• admissions fee

CAN I UPLOAD MY COMPOSITION AND SCORE AFTER I HAVE REGISTERED?

Yes. Once registered, you can submit your MP3 audio or Video with music, anytime before the deadline using the Upload Button at the bottom of the home page here

ADMISSIONS FEE

The admissions fee is payable on our website, using PayPal or Credit Card. For bank transfer, please contact us via email, for our bank transfer details. To avoid disappointment, we recommend payment in advance, before the deadline. We reserve the right to close entry before the competition deadline, if we are over subscribed.

• Early Bird Admissions fee of 60 Euros ends January 31st, 2020
• Late Early Bird Admissions fee of 65 Euros ends February 21st, 2020
• Admissions fee of 80 Euros starts February 21st, 2020
• Admissions fee of 60 Euros for GEMS students

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE WON?

We will announce the 2 winners, 2 second places and 24 runner ups names Live on our Facebook page, and notified them by email, on 7th March, 2020 at noon (GMT).

WHEN IS THE RECORDING DATE

Due to the COVID-19 we have postponed the recording until a later date.

SUBMITTING YOUR VIDEO+MUSIC FOR WALLACE AND GROMIT GUIDE

• Submit the video with your music embedded as a .mov file
• Title your video with your full name (this will be removed before judged)
• Go to the Scorelive home page and upload your .mov file using the WeTransfer button
• Use the same email address you used to register to send the .mov file
• Send it to us at support@scorelive.london
• In the message section on WeTransfer add the name you used to register
• Send your .mov file
• We will send you an acknowledgement email

SELECTED COMPOSERS SCORES GUIDE

If you are selected as either one of the winners or one of the second place winners you will need to send the following

• Your PDF score with your full name
• Your Score must be printed in A3 format
• Your Parts must be printed in A4 format
• Your score must be transposed for full score
• No empty bars at the start of your score are required, unless you are selected.

• Selected composers will be paired with a tutor to review their composition before the recording. Both score and parts PDFs must be sent to your paired tutor for final review.
• Once reviewed, each composer must bring to the recording, one printed A3 full score for the conductor, with printed A4 separate parts for the orchestra, and spare parts.
• Selected composers can have their recording conducted with a click track at the European Studio.

WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC SHOULD I COMPOSE?

It is absolutely up to you, as long as you compose for the advertised orchestra arrangement.

WHAT PART OF THE VIDEO DO I SCORE?

Once registered you will have access to download the video with a start and finish Timecode. You can use the start and finish your score between the Timecode.

WHICH INSTRUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ORCHESTRA?

2.2.2.2
2 flutes (one player can also play piccolo)
2 oboe (one player can also play english horn)
2 clarinets (one player can also play bass clarinet)
2 bassoon (one player can also play contrabassoon)

8.2.4.1
8 french horns
2 trumpets (in B flat or in C)
4 trombones (1 bass trombone)
1 Tuba

1 Harp

12.10.8.6.2
12 first violins
10 second violins
8 violas
6 celli
2 double basses (4 strings)

1 player for 4 timpani (32”, 29", 26", 23")
2 players for orchestral percussion maximum 2 instruments for each player

Bass drum, snare drum, congas, bongos, drum set (BD, Snare, Hi-hat, 1 12” high tom, 1 16” floor tom, 1 Ride Cymbal, 2 Crash Cymbals). Cymbals a 2,1 tam tam Xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, marimba, tubular bells
Triangle, wind chimes, sleigh bells, finger cymbals, 2 cowbells, tambourine, guiro, castanets, 3 temple blocks, ratchet, claves, cabasa, maracas, whip, vibra slap Various whistles

Sufficient time must be provided in your score for players to switch instruments during the recording of your composition.

DO I HAVE TO USE THE FULL ORCHESTRA?

No, it’s your choice which instruments you use from the orchestra listed above, for your composition. This is your opportunity to create a fantastic big composition score with the full orchestra, so why not go for it!

MEET THE JUDGES, TUTORS & MENTOR

LA Judges and Mentor
Christopher Young, film composer · Mentor
Garry Schyman, film and game composer · Judge
Pete Anthony, conductor and orchestrator · Judge

GEMS ScoreLive Judges
Juanjo Molina, film composer and conductor · Judge
Francesco Menini, film/classical composer and orchestrator · Judge
Nigel Ashley Lees, chairperson, founder and CEO of GEMS and ScoreLive Competition · Judge

(the jury is subject to change)

HOW DO WE CHOOSE THE WINNERS

We look for the best! ScoreLive Competition has a jury of award winning Hollywood composers, orchestrators, industry professionals and music educators. All registered composers scores will be divided in to Option 1 and Option 2, then individually reviewed and placed in ranking order. The top 2 ranking composers scores in order of merit, for each option, will be announced as two overall winners and two second place winners. All four composers will each participate in the Orchestral Recording. All composers scores will remain anonymous when judged and are graded on the following criteria.

• Demonstrated ability to create an effective score for film
• Ability to write music which can be read and played by live performers
• Melody & Harmony, Orchestration Skills
• Counterpoint Techniques, Texture Variety
• Spotting (only for Video)
• Originality

FEEDBACK ON YOUR COMPOSITION

The Jury will provide feedback for the 2 winners, the 2 second place composers. However, every participant receives a 250€ tuition fee discount to the GEMS Film and Game Scoring summer program, Spain, July 1st - 14th 2020, where you will receive feedback on your work, and have a private one to one mentoring sessions from Christopher Young and other tutors

HOW WILL I GET MY RECORDING?

The 2 winners and 2 second place winners recordings will be sent as Pro Tools Sessions to each composer.

DO I OWN THE MUSIC I SUBMITTED?

Yes. You keep full ownership all the authors rights to your music you submitted. We do ask that 2 winners and 2 second place winners agree to provide a non-exclusive perpetual license to ScoreLive Competition founder Nigel Ashley Lees, to share, perform, and promote all or a parts of their work created for the ScoreLive Competition.If you wish to publish your music for commercial or professional use, you will need to contact the studio for a licence.

CAN I PUBLISH THE VIDEO WITH MY MUSIC?

No. Publishing, broadcasting nor sharing of the video clip alone or with your music is not permitted on any known digital or terrestrial platform. This video can not be distributed. The owners have granted us an educational licence for this educational competition linked to the GEMS Film Scoring Summer Education Program, July 1st-14th Spain, 2020.

RECORDING DAY CODE OF CONDUCT

• Be prepared to have an amazing day and have fun
• Be punctual and on time for your recording
• Be safe, bring a spare printed copy of your score and PDF score and parts to the recording
• No food drink to be taken in to the live room or booth
• Be professional in the live room or the booth, during other composers recordings
• Mobile phones must be switched off during the live recording
• Remain respectful towards fellow finalists, technicians, staff and musicians

SOCIAL MEDIA

The winner and 3 runner ups will be interviewed at the European Studio by ScoreLive Competition. We ask they agree to provide ScoreLive Competition full ownership of the interview, and their images from the recording session, to use in our marketing and admissions campaign across our social media and website.

NEED TO TALK?

If you still need help, don’t hesitate, don't wait, email us support@scorelive.london

DISCLAIMERS & COMPETITION RULES

ScoreLive Competition reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all registration fees, any participant who fails to submit their Video+Music, MP3 audio file, PDF score and or parts by the stated deadline.

By submitting your music, you, the participant agree, that your score is an original score composed only by you.

Participants holds the competition organisers harmless and will indemnify against any costs or damages or liabilities incurred by breach or alleged breach of this representation.

ScoreLive Competition is under no obligation to provide comments or feedback regarding the submitted composition or the decision process.

ScoreLive Competition deny any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible or liable for, the contents of any internal comments or feedback regarding any score.

If you are under 18, and selected, you will need to attend the recording with an accompanying adult.

ScoreLive Competition have the right to use any content from the video of the recording session interviews and images of the 2 winners and 2 second place winners, for promotions, marketing and publicity for future ScoreLive Competition events.

Scholarships awarded to the 2 winners and 2 second place winners towards the GEMS Film Scoring Summer program 2020, do not include the orchestral recording on the summer program.

Scholarships for the 24 runner ups and every other non selected participant do include the orchestral recording on the summer program. Scholarship awards are made towards the tuition fee for the full GEMS summer program. The award will reduce the tuition fee by the amount won.

ScoreLive Competition reserve the right to make all changes to the competition, add updates, and cancel the competition, return your admissions fee, and deduct all bank, credit card or PayPal transfer charges we incurred upon receipt. Any return fee charges incurred by the recipient will not be included. Admissions fees will be returned via the same platform from which they were issued. All GEMS scholarships are nullified should the competition not run. If sufficient registrations are not met on February 1st 2020, the competition will be closed on February 1st 2020. The published date for the recording, March 26th 2020, may change should the studio need to move the recording session. If you are unable to visit LA for your Mentor Session, you may take your Mentor Session via Skype. Offer expires at the end of 2020. The time and date ( PST) for the Mentor Session either at the composers studio or via Skype, are chosen by the Composers Office, and ScoreLive will notify you the time and date. The prize is not transferable to another person. Dates to attend Upstart, from April 1st 2020, are subject to availability of Upstart. Rooms are gender orientated. Winners should contact ScoreLive with their date option availability before March 26th 2020. Offer expires at the end of 2020. The prize is not transferable to another person.

All decisions by the Jury and ScoreLive Competition are final.

PRIZES EXPLAINED

RECORDING SESSION This will be your opportunity to experience a live orchestral recording at a European Studio, with a full 65 piece orchestra. MENTOR SESSION This is one of those moments in your life that changes everything. Award winning Hollywood Composer Christopher Young has been mentoring and supporting composers on the GEMS film scoring summer program for 4 years, with his guidance and support, many of our students have gone on to use the mentor session as a stepping stone to further their music and careers, including moving to and working in Hollywood. This is an amazing opportunity for any composer at any age or stage of their career. Your chance to meet with award winning Hollywood Composer Christopher Young at his studio in Los Angeles, to talk about you, listen to and share your music, and discuss working in Hollywood, and make a friend for life. Check it out!

UPSTART
This is a fantastic chance to live and experience Los Angeles in a safe and friendly creative environment were you will live with fellow artists such as directors, writers, actors, film makers, artists, and composers. The houses include recording studios, practice rooms, and multiple classes, where you can start to work on networking and pitching. Check it out.

GEMS FILM SCORING PROGRAM, SPAIN
This is one of the most popular international film scoring programs and brings in award winning Hollywood composers, orchestrators, USC tutors and concluded with a professional live orchestral recording of your composition. Check it out.

SUBMITTING YOUR MP3 AUDIO FILE FOR THE MAIN TITLE

• Your Audio Main Title must be exported as an MP3 audio file.
• Title your MP3 file with your full name (this will be removed before judged)
• Go to the Scorelive home page and upload your .mp3 file using the WeTransfer button
• Use the same email address you used to register to send the .mp3 file
• Send it to us at support@scorelive.london
• In the message section on WeTransfer add the name you used to register
• Send your .mp3 file
• We will send you an acknowledgement email

WHERE DO I DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO?

Once registered you will receive a link to download the video with Timecode embedded.

WHAT IF I CAN NOT GO TO THE RECORDING

No problem. If you are selected as a winner or second place winner, but can not attend the recording, you can attend the recording remotely.