Animation
Composer (Animation)
What does a composer do?
Composers write original music for an animation. They write music to reflect and communicate the atmosphere, character's emotions, and the story. A film score has to work with the film, rather than as a standalone piece of music.
Composers for animation are usually given a brief at the start of the project, at the stage where storyboards are edited in time with the soundtrack (animatics) are being created. They create some demo recordings, which can be used in the animatic edit. In animation, music can really affect the timing of the edit so it’s important to get the composer involved early on. Then they can create a full score for the final film. Composers rewrite their score according to feedback from the director, producer and editor. A section of music might need to be a different length, highlight a different onscreen moment, or have a different feel to it.
Animation composers need to be aware of the genre they are composing for. Music for cartoon TV shows will often be quite clichéd and over the top, in keeping with the style of the animation and storytelling. For animations which include songs, like feature-length musicals, or TV shows with a theme song, the composer might be involved with writing these. Or this might fall to a different musician, with the composer sometimes scoring the backing for the songs.
On big-budget productions, composers prepare the score, usually on midi files, for the orchestrator and copyist. In most TV and lower budget films, composers do their own orchestrating. They also prepare the score's electronic aspects for the recording sessions and deliver the score to the producer, together with all recordable media. Composers often need strong music production, recording and performance skills in order to realise their works for projects as music budgets are generally tight. They are freelancers and usually work from their own home or office.
Watch and read
- Scoring for Netflix: Behind the Scenes Composing For Animation
- Disney Composer Alan Menken Breaks Down His Most Iconic Songs
- Scoring an Animated TV Series
- Career spotlight: composer for screen
What's a composer good at?
- Music: have a high level of technical musical skill and be able to compose and notate original, high-quality scores with interesting and distinctive musical ideas that fit the style of the animation
- Storytelling: be able to communicate a story and reflect its themes through music
- Music production: have good recording and production skills to create demos and professional-level scores, be able to use music composition software such as Cubase and Logic and notation software such as Sibelius or Musescore, and work with different audio file types
- Communication: be able to work to a brief, act on constructive feedback, and compose music to contribute to the director's overall vision, build extensive contacts with musicians who can contribute to your work
- Business management skills: understand legal and contractual aspects of the job as a freelancer contributing your work to a different project
Who does a composer work with?
Composers work closely with the director, producer, and music editor (if there is one), as well as communicating with the sound designer and editor.
How do I become a composer?
Composers get jobs based on their portfolio. You need a high level of musical knowledge and technical skill, so generally all composers are formally trained in music. Some have specific degrees in composing for film and television. Access to kit for recording your music is very helpful. The most important thing, however, is that you have a strong body of work to demonstrate your skill and personal style. You also need to make connections with filmmakers and musicians. You might want to try to get a place on ScreenSkills' Trainee Finder scheme in the edit department. Even if you are working on live-action films rather than animations, it will give you invaluable experience insights into the process of adding sound to film.
At school or college:
A-levels or Highers in music will equip you for this role. If you can do film studies too, it will contribute to your understanding of writing music for film. Or you might want to take a level 3 vocational qualification in music or creative media. Look at what your local college offers.
Get a degree:
Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in composing. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the animation industry.
Become a trainee:
Get onto ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme. Get the skills, make contacts and start working as a sound trainee.
Build a portfolio:
Start writing your own music. Learn music composition and notation software. Find filmmakers who need someone to write the music for their film and collaborate with them, or you can practise and add to your portfolio by writing your own new scores for existing films. Building your portfolio is essential. Go to Build your music portfolio to learn how.
Watch a lot of films and listen to the music:
Watch as many films and television shows as you can and pay attention to how the music is scored. Get a feel for how music interacts with the film and musical styles vary between genres.
Look outside the industry:
Composers are needed in lots of industries outside of animation. As well as live-action film and TV and games, there are also composing jobs in advertising and theatre. See if you can get a job in one of these fields and gain experience that you can later use to compose for animation.
Take a short course:
Hone your skills and improve your knowledge of creating music for film by taking a specialist course. Go to the list of training courses recommended by ScreenSkills and see if there is one in sound or music.
Search for jobs:
Research animation companies that you’d like to work for. Animation UK has a directory of animation companies. Go to their websites and check if they are advertising for composers for their projects. You can also send in a speculative CV and link to your portfolio and ask employers to keep it on file so they can consider you if any suitable jobs come up. Search job websites for composer roles and apply for positions.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Meet producers, music editors and composers and ask them questions about their work, while demonstrating interest and knowledge in the industry. Offer to provide them with your professional contact details and try to stay in touch with them. Go to how to network well to learn how to do this.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries modules are very useful.
ScreenSkills skills checklists:
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists.
You might also be interested in...
Being a sound designer in the animation industry or being a sound designer or a composer in the games industry. You might also be interested in being a music editor in the film and TV drama industries.
Further resources
- ThinkSpace Education
- CG Spectrum – Free Resources
- Bloop Animation – Video Tutorials
- The Hans Zimmer Composer Round Table
- Understand Disney's 12 principles of animation
- Cartoon Brew
- Skwigly Online Animation Magazine
- CGI Dreamworks Animation Studio Pipeline | CGMeetup
- Any-Mation (video essays) – YouTube
- ScreenSkills resources directory
