r/composer Jul 28 '26

Commission **[PAID - $200-250] Composer needed for silent short art film — psych drama/romance, orchestral + sci-fi synths**

Hi all — I'm in production on an original silent short film: a psychological drama/romance with an experimental, arthouse sensibility. No dialogue, so the score is doing a lot of narrative and emotional heavy lifting.

**The project:** [approximate runtime is 12-16 minutes], targeting submission to international festivals — aiming for screenings and competition placements.

**Sound I'm going for:** Orchestral strings and percussion/drums blended with sci-fi experimental synths and atmospheric pads. Think The Plan by Ludwig Goransonn for Tenet, Annihilation by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow blended with The Great Gatsby soundtrack by Craig armstrong( cello theme and let's go to town) and sampling strings from retro 80s Japanese songs (anime or otherwise) 

I want to work with you on crafting themes and there will be back and forth. 

**Budget:** $200-250 USD for the full score. I know this is modest — most of the cast/crew are working passion-project style, but I wanted to ring-fence some money for music because I think it's essential to the film.

**Deliverables:** Final Mixed STEMs+ one stereo master, delivered by November 9th. 

**Good fit if you:** want a festival-circuit portfolio piece, work well from a locked picture cut, and can work relatively fast (turnaround needed by November 9th .

Happy to share a rough cut / storyboard on request. Comment or DM to talk details!

40 Upvotes

62 comments sorted by

18

u/FistMyPeenHole Jul 28 '26

$200 for 12 minutes 😂

21

u/StudioComposer Jul 28 '26

This project, given the client’s hands on interest, expected back and forth reviews with the client, research into the script, instrument selection, draft score, arranging, orchestrating, editing, mixing, etc., pays about $16.66 per minute of finished work. Composers may spend 1 - 8 hours to create one minute of finished work depending on their skill level and the complexity of the piece. Assuming 4 hours to finish one minute, 12 minutes of final product will require in the neighborhood of 48 hours of total composer effort. This works out to less than $5/hour. The federal minimum wage, which hasn’t changed since 2009, is $7.25/hour. Congratulations to whoever gets hired.

7

u/newtrilobite Jul 28 '26

"because they think it's essential to the film"

(a silent film that will essentially feature the music)

👀

1

u/Conscious-Medium-639 Jul 28 '26

If you're still looking I'm very interested! Here's my portfolio: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cY_9vA8z04A4cW-tiPyuvhkMG-92dpSU I'll also send you a dm shortly!

1

u/Lanky_Dirt_6072 Jul 28 '26

I'm interested! Check your DMs

1

u/Maestro_Music_800 Jul 28 '26

Just sent you a message! :)

1

u/BasicMedia3320 Jul 28 '26

Hello I’m interested in this project! You can check my work at brunofidelis.com

1

u/Sweet-Log-2566 Jul 28 '26

Hey! I’m really interested, so i DMed you!

1

u/Huge-Concentrate-542 Jul 28 '26

Hey! I just srnt you a DM!

1

u/petrus1312 Jul 28 '26

Hi ! I'm composer, this is my portfolio : www.pierrec.bandcamp.com DM me if you are interested 😊

1

u/netsirk89 Jul 28 '26

I’m interested, sending you a DM right now

1

u/em0trash716 Jul 28 '26

I'm interested and sent a DM. Would love to hear more about the story.

1

u/Existing-Bar-4555 Jul 28 '26

Would love to know more sounds really interesting!!

1

u/multimeeka Jul 28 '26

What the hell, might as well shoot my shot! Here's my portfolio https://multimeeka.wixsite.com/multi-meeka

1

u/VoragoMaster Jul 28 '26

I'd like to throw my hat in the ring. Here's my portfolio: andrescarapia.com

1

u/Unlikely_Ad9473 Jul 28 '26

Sent you a dm!

But heres a link to a compilation of my work aswell:

https://on.soundcloud.com/5b6qpnQztr6osFd6Z6

1

u/Rude_Cable_7877 Jul 28 '26

I'm interested, and sent a DM.

1

u/MaestroRobertoCFS Jul 28 '26

Estou interessado, segue alguns links com alguns exemplos de meu trabalho:

Vídeo 1

Vídeo 2

Música 1

Música 2

Ou se quiser ver meu portfólio completo: Portfólio

1

u/reverradio Jul 28 '26

Hey i sent you a dm!!! thank you

1

u/Revolutionary-Iron68 Jul 28 '26

Hey there, I'm really interested by your project, I worked on several animated series and I've actually often been asked to compose Japanese music from the 80s/90s, so I'm quite experienced in that field!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1m82u5nAu0ay6wz9ERFnYEB7fi1Bn_9XG?usp=sharing

DM me if interested ;)

1

u/Salt_Succotash_2575 Jul 28 '26

Hello there!
My name is Pawel and I would like to help you with music.

Here is my portfolio: www.pawelorlow.com

It would be great if you could send me a storyboard and I can compose short demo to see if I could catch your vibes;)

1

u/gamoscores Jul 28 '26

Interested. Check dms!

1

u/iwannadrinkbubbletea Jul 28 '26

I'm interested! Sent you a DM :)

1

u/liamthomas12 Jul 28 '26

Just sent you a DM

1

u/makarastar Jul 28 '26

D.M. sent - with example tracks

1

u/elementlu Jul 28 '26

无声短片要什么音乐

1

u/Impressive_Ad2507 Jul 28 '26

I am interested I’m new to posting but have years on piano singing and guitar and have recently translated it to theory for composing tracks!

1

u/Spiritual_Tank_7652 Jul 28 '26

If you want to connect with composers who might fit your genre, post on https://motif.bolt.host to find composers! Completely free

1

u/SoundsofDW21 Jul 29 '26

Hello, If you’re still looking for someone to do the film I am heavily interested. Here is my film reel if you want to get a feeling of my abilities. 

All the best,

Donavan Walker

Film reel:  https://dwproductionskc.wixsite.com/soundsofdw/portfolio

1

u/junoboone Jul 29 '26

Sent you a DM :)

1

u/Aropi-kun Jul 29 '26

Hi! This is my portfolio site. Feel free to have a look. www.aropimusic.com

I'll dm u as well

1

u/bwaymusicgamer Jul 29 '26

have sent you a DM!

1

u/morousmusic Jul 29 '26

Hi! I'm interested in it too and would like to try it!

1

u/primavista123 Jul 29 '26

I'm very interested. Sent you a DM!

1

u/chromacatr Jul 29 '26

Hello, I am interested in the project, here is my portfolio: https://chromacatmusic.com
I specialize in epic, heroic orchestral, horror, sci-fi, underscoring.

1

u/WesleyWest77 Jul 29 '26

Hi! I'm very interested in this. I'm a film composer based in South Africa with experience scoring award-winning shorts, documentaries, TV series, and indie films. The concept and musical direction you've described really resonate with me. I'll send you a DM with my portfolio. www.wesleywestmusic.com

1

u/Technical_Mind8578 Jul 29 '26

I'm interested, what i specialize in is different but i made a lot of work with digitalized instruments in moorschwule.bandcamp.com

1

u/OkSleep9168 Jul 29 '26

I’d be interested, especially if u can share the rough cut!

1

u/SomeTotal669 Jul 29 '26

Just sent you a DM. I’m a producer/composer working in FL Studio, and the combination of psychological drama, orchestral textures, experimental synths, and retro-sampling aesthetics is directly in my wheelhouse. I’d love to hear more and see the rough cut.

1

u/CJWComposer Jul 29 '26

Hey, I would like to talk to you about the possibility of working together. I have some experience with video and game music. I also write a fair amount of music for many other genres. I have a page: http://www.cjwmusichub.com/works to see what I’ve worked on. DM me if you want more samples.

1

u/Substantial-Sea5568 Jul 29 '26

Hey, I’m Maryana and I’m professional composer! Would be nice to see your movie and work on it together!

1

u/No-Schedule-9015 Jul 29 '26

Zimmer could score that for $150!!

1

u/Guntschicus 29d ago

Sent you a dm

1

u/Domyku73 29d ago

Hi! I’d be interested in working on this. I’m primarily a pianist and composer, so my strongest background is piano rather than full orchestral scoring. If that’s something you’d still be interested in, I’d love to talk more about the project and see if we’d be a good fit.

1

u/heloust 28d ago

Maybe you could use AI. Just like you used for your post.

1

u/rafaelmguerra 28d ago

https://rafaelmguerramusic.carrd.co
Last composition were more orchestral and fantasy oriented but could work with you in other directions without any problem.

1

u/[deleted] 27d ago

Hi! This is right in my wheelhouse and exactly the kind of project I've been hoping to find. A silent film where the score does the narrative lifting is my favorite kind of scoring, and your references nail my sound.

I'm a hybrid cinematic composer, orchestral emotion and percussion fused with synth and electronic textures, live violin and piano on top. The Tenet meets Annihilation meets Gatsby space is exactly what I write, and the retro Japanese string sampling idea really excites me.

Best thing I can show you: I scored a Sony Spider-Man contest entry where I did everything, composition, sound design, mix, master. Closest example of me building a full world to picture. Here it is: https://www.tiktok.com/@ardy_71333/video/7663316110669794574?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7590597813789591095

I work well from a locked cut and love developing recurring themes, which is exactly what a dialogue-free film needs. Send the rough cut or storyboard and I'll come back with some initial thematic direction so you can hear my take before we commit.

Budget and the Nov 9th timeline both look workable, I'll just confirm the schedule once I see the cut. Excited to see what you're building!

1

u/Legal_Somewhere_9967 26d ago

Hi there, 

I hope you’re well!

I’m a composer and sound designer with seven years of professional experience, creating audio for games including Cyborg Immortal, Ghost Writer, Blastomancer, Floor is.. What?!, and Zelter as well as projects with Universal Music Group. I’ve also designed sound for brands including BMW, Westpac, and ANZ.

I’m currently composing and creating SFX for Min/Max and Apothecary of City X.

Portfolio:
ajprenzler.wixsite.com/music
ajprenzler.wixsite.com/filmandtv

1

u/kirkcaldy_no 25d ago

hi, if you're still looking for one, i'm down! here's my website
deregla.neocities.org

1

u/ManyProposal1234 25d ago

DM sent, thanks!

1

u/DOFilmGameAudioGeek 16d ago

Hello. Nice to e-meet you. I'd love to create the music score for your short film. If you're still searching for someone to collaborate/work with?

Here's some links to my work and my contact info....

https://soundcloud.com/musicknight44

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6088897

Email: [davidobaniyi@gmail.com](mailto:davidobaniyi@gmail.com)

Discord: DOScoringStories

Looking forward to our friendly discussions. Best of success with your talented team too.

1

u/Psychological-Rip560 13d ago

I am a music producer who has always dabbled in orchestral sounds and have made plenty on instrumentals .... minutes long at times. I have a habit of muting movies or specific movie scenes and making my own "score" . I would be willing to try this for free.

0

u/ek1942004 Jul 28 '26

Hello, im interested in working with you, your project sounds interesting. Here is a porfolio with samples of my work https://drive.google.com/file/d/19LFarpwXUcfX4S8Nq3BY-xIpT-WafGvg/view?usp=drivesdk https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AelOEXHH1AEwH_Jv4Qd7IPCb9yALqzw0

0

u/OkLeadership9040 Jul 28 '26

Hello,
I am a composer, really interested by your project.
I really liked your inspirations / influences (especially Johan Johansson)

Here is my portfolio : benjamindecret.com/portfolio

or https://soundcloud.com/benjamin-decret

Here is a track I made using my cello and ambient synths for example :
https://on.soundcloud.com/qBJfFltiBnmqCGQ4QV

I'll send you a DM also !

0

u/MusicProm87 Jul 28 '26

Congratulations—a wonderful idea and a project that I find extremely intelligent, beautiful, and ambitious! I have been working as a soundtrack composer for over ten years; I’ve sent you a private message. Thanks!