Written in Partnership with Amir Bakian
Marc teaching at Momentum Los Angeles Event
Ready to finally fulfill your musical dreams in 2024? Aspiring composers need look no further than Cinematic Composing’s groundbreaking Momentum program, a best-in-class online education that teaches composition, orchestration, and film scoring.
In just six months, this online film scoring program provides students with a wealth of skills and resources to not only expand their creative abilities but also pursue real-world composition opportunities. Thanks to a lineup of award-winning teachers, a rigorous syllabus, and a nurturing network of peers, the Momentum program has successfully graduated over 150 students to date.
Cinematic Composing, a Pioneer in Online Film Music Education
The Momentum program is the latest offering of Cinematic Composing, a Los Angeles-based institution dedicated to training students in orchestral composition and film scoring. Founded in 2016 by esteemed composer Marc Jovani, Cinematic Composing has shared its resources with over 20,000 students worldwide.
Jovani, who has created music for major studios like Lionsgate, Syfy, HBO, and Netflix, started Cinematic Composing as a community for composers of all levels to learn and grow together. “Cinematic Composing is a place where we can express our innermost feelings through our works without bounds,” Jovani says. “This is a place for the limitless expression of freedom. This is where titles and hierarchies disappear, and we’re only left with what we love: our passion to create.”
Online live class
Learn and Grow with Momentum
Jovani furthered this idea by launching the Momentum program in 2022. This intensive six-month online film scoring program is taught by some of the top talents in the film music industry and built around a rigorous structure that guides students through the fundamentals of composition, the revision process, and working with a live orchestra.
The Momentum program is an astounding leap forward for the online film music education industry. The program furthers Cinematic Composing’s core mission: to transform lives by helping composers pursue their passion for music. Not only are students given a nurturing space to develop their creative skills, but the Momentum program shares invaluable practical tools to help aspiring composers kick-start their careers.
The Mentors of Momentum
The Momentum program features instruction from award-winning professionals with years of experience in the film scoring industry. Students benefit from direct access to these high-caliber talents across everything from weekly live classes, regular individualized assignment revisions, monthly special masterclasses, and so much more.
An example of the Hollywood composers lineup in Momentum
Mentors come from various backgrounds, with experience in composing, scoring, and mixing for big-budget films, streaming and television series, documentaries, and even video games. The exact lineup of teachers varies per season, but take the below lineup as an example:
- Chris Young (Composer, Spider-Man 3)
- Amie Doherty (Composer, DreamWorks’ Spirit)
- Javier Navarrete (Oscar-Nominated Composer, Pan’s Labyrinth)
- Dennis Sands (Mixing Engineer, Avengers: Endgame)
- Nathaniel Blume (Composer, The Flash, Arrow)
- Jose Cancela (5-Time Emmy Award-Winning Film/TV Composer)
- Lennie Moore (Video Game Composer, Outcast, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Halo: The Master Chief Collection)
- Anne-Kathrin Dern (Composer, Netflix’s The Claus Family, Fe@rleSS_)
- Dirk Ehlert (Composer, De-Tune)
Six Years of Knowledge in Just Six Months
With a rigorous structure and thorough syllabus, the Momentum program offers students six years of film-musiceducation in just six months. The program begins by focusing on practical film scoring skills, with the program’s first three months dedicated to developing a concept and bringing it to fruition with the latest technical skills.
Students then spend the latter half of the program working with Hollywood mentors on various skills, such as scene spotting, score creation, and revisions across genres. The program also focuses heavily on developing practical skills, like how to get gigs and communicate with directors.
Throughout the program, students will also have one-time masterclasses on an array of subjects, both creative — like creating music for shorts — and practical — like information on how royalties work. This overarching combination of real-world advice, paired with creative development, is designed to launch careers.
Momentum Success Stories
Over 150 students have successfully completed the Momentum program to date, and their creative and professional successes serve as inspiration for any aspiring composer. These students vary in age, location, and background — but all share a passion for music that brought them to Cinematic Composing’s Momentum program.
“I was lucky that one of my works was recorded by the RTVE Orchestra, one of the best orchestras in Spain,” shares Miguel from Spain. “Thank you, Marc Jovani!”
Some common themes? Students share confidence in their expanded skills, professional successes, and a sudden renewal in their creative energies.
“Four months ago, when I joined Momentum, I didn’t know how to use a sequencer,” says Nancy, a U.S.-based pianist. “Now I’m entering film scoring competitions, and I feel so happy and fulfilled! Momentum has changed my life!”
“I finally feel confident enough to join online Film Composer and Filmmaker Groups. I am now responding to requests for composers and feel that Momentum has prepared me well for the task should I get the job!” shares Risha, a student from the US.
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