Movie and Music Mosaic-Katherina´s final project

Hello.

This is a crowdfunding page for my final project for university. As part of 4th (= final) year, every student has to take on a final project. How each final project looks is up to the student and what they enjoy doing.

My final project

My final project consists of scoring 6 exciting, very different short films by rising filmmakers across the UK and subsequently screening them in an independent, thriving cinema in Birmingham on March 15th 2024.

The screening event (called Movie and Music Mosaic): After all short films have been shown, there will be a Q&A, which means there will be questions for the directors of the screened short films (who will all be attending) and for myself, about their projects. Audience questions are more than welcome as well. The cherry on the top will be an engaging session with an established film composer and music editor from the industry.

What your donations will be used for

All donations I will receive will go into financing The Midland Sinfonia and The Mockingbird Cinema.

The Midland Sinfonia is a professional string chamber orchestra based in Birmingham and I’ll be recording my score/music with a section of them.

The Mockingbird Cinema is my screening venue. It is an independent cinema in Digbeth and provides a cozy but big space to screen the 6 short films I have scored.

Working with external ensembles and venues will help me to expand my connections, make long lasting professional relationships and learn more about how they work in the ‘real world’.

Aims for screening event

• To build a platform to showcase the hard work of rising directors and composers.

• To create a valuable networking opportunity for musicians, directors, composers and the audience.

Aims for scoring short films

• Gaining experience in supporting directors’ film visions/ideas and finding the right musical approach to enhance the audience´s experience.

• Make new professional and lasting connections with filmmakers.

About myself

My name is Katherina, or Kate. For most of you, it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that I’m studying composition at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. I specialise in film music (writing music for films) and am currently in my 4th year of my Bachelor Degree.

Here´s a link to my website for projects I´ve worked on in the previous years:

Website

Why scoring short films?

Throughout my composition course I’ve come across many different musical styles and approaches, and working with media has stuck out to me. Scoring a film is like a puzzle where you receive a frame and pieces and have to find the best way to complement the frame with all the musical details to implement a director’s idea and create a new, unique sound dimension supporting the visuals. Finding a way to emotionally affect the listener and make the music memorable. Ultimately, it’s a very thrilling, sometimes scary but always rewarding job, which is why I love it.

Why my final project is important to me

My final project includes significant skills like collaboration and communication (with directors, musicians, venue managers,...), creative and technical composition skills and time and stress management – all crucial to being a successful film composer. Working on them will allow me to hone those areas, improve and refine my skills, collect experience and prepare me for future collaborations.

Future plans

My plan is to continue with a Master’s degree in film music. My two main applications will go to USC (LA, California) for the ‘Screen Scoring’ Master’s degree and to the NFTS (London, UK) for the ‘Composing for Film and Television’ Master’s degree, two very prestigious schools.

I would hugely appreciate any help, no matter how big or small.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me or DM me on Facebook/Instagram.

Thank you for supporting me, my final project and my path to a film composer. My success will be your success.

(I promise I’ll mention you during my thank-you-speech at the Oscars!! )

P.S. Tickets for the screening event on March 15th will be available from January 2024.

Thank you.

Katherina Hristova