LAURENFMUSIC
LAUREN FINCH
COMPOSER
FILM TV MORE
IN MOTION APPLICATION: EXAMPLE WORK
Please find below two examples of my work. I have also included a supporting description of each track, which outlines their specific relevance to my application. These two compositions have been picked as examples of my interest in minimalist music that plays with the repetition of simple ideas that slowly develop and unfold through layering and additive composition. Though notably informed by Classical influence, instrumentation such as strings, woodwind, and piano are affected by processing and the application of effects and - in some instances - I have layered with my own field recordings to create new sounds. This relates to the approach which I outline in my application as important to my aim of finding my true creative identity as an artist and are concepts that I wish to fully explore within the context of an album.
EXAMPLE 1
"Forebode" is a slowly developing minimalist composition that experiments with the layering and processing of multiple pianos. I play with the ideas of repetition and expectation by creating a dramatic composition which gradually unfolds, yet is rooted in one overriding melodic idea.
Short on time? Skip to 1:15 onwards.
EXAMPLE 2
"Lights" is an example of my music which is contemporary with minimalist elements yet influenced by Classical tradition - blending new technologies with timeless influences. For example, I experiment with applying effects onto strings and "breaking the rules" of mixing. For example, I apply various effects such as echo and delay onto individual instruments as well as the master output to create a sense of the strings multiplying and blooming.
Short on time? Skip to 1:20 onwards.
MORE MUSIC
If you wish to hear more music with an emphasis on minimalism, layering, and processing of instruments, you are also welcome to listen to this extended playlist.
Please see the WORKS section for a wider range of music, which also includes my media projects and credits.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Biography
Lauren Finch’s experience as a media composer spans film and TV, to theatre and audiovisual exhibitions - with award-winning projects screening globally at BIFA, BAFTA, and OSCAR qualifying festivals. Lauren also has experience assisting on acclaimed TV projects, including BBC and ITV series. Her music has been selected by BAFTA-winning composer Ólafur Arnalds to appear on an album of featured artists, released on his Opia record label. She was part of the Thrive programme, run in partnership with Grammy-winning Lorne Balfe, and was selected for First Artist Management's C.A.M.P programme. Lauren has led film scoring courses and masterclasses, collaborated with companies such as HyperTribe, The Cue Tube, Spitfire Audio, Naroth Audio and Inletaudio, and also works with ThinkSpace Education to create music courses. She is a Music and Sound Rising Star Award Finalist, has a MA in Media Composition, and is a WFTV and AWFC member.
What is the step change you want to make?
What part of your artistic or professional practice would you like to develop on this programme?
I have decided to move away from Film/TV composing and want to pursue a career as an artist who releases their own music – independent of media projects. I have made progress. For example, a track released on Ólafur Arnalds’ label. However, having sought advice from industry professionals, it’s evident that I cannot progress from being a “media composer” to just a “composer”/ “artist” without an album to showcase. I have received time-limited opportunities to progress my film composing career which – in the absence of an artist career - I feel pressured to take (practically and financially). However, they don’t align with my goals and wouldn’t allow me time to focus on developing myself as an artist. Therefore, I must decide now to pursue this. Consequently, on this programme, I want to develop my practice by creating an album. This would be an important, new achievement – enabling me to practically pitch and evidence myself as an artist and move away from media composing. I’m very aware it’s a new industry with new audiences and involves approaching music in a very different way. Therefore, to confidently and successfully navigate this new endeavour, not only would I benefit from the time and space In Motion would afford me to explore this but very much need and appreciate the support, coaching, and mentoring provided.
NB: Though I’m on a composer programme, it only offers support to progress a media composing career. This is why I am specifically seeking In Motion’s support.
What do you hope will be different for you as an artist after the programme? *
What would be the impact of your proposed step-change or development on your artistic or professional practice? Think about what will be different about you as a person rather than external factors.
Focusing on my media composing career has been at the expense of developing my own creative identity. This is because I only compose with factors such as film genre and director’s briefs in mind. I envision that this programme will allow me the time and space, with guidance, to explore who I am as a composer and develop my own style through creating an album. I want to explore specific musical concepts I am interested in but have been unable to fully explore within media composing. I am specifically passionate about playing with the relationship of Classical influence and technology, applying effects and processing orchestral instruments to give them new sonic qualities. I especially enjoy this within the oxymoronic context of minimalism and complex layering - exploring the relationship between repetition, expectation, and slowly developing compositions. Consequently, at the end of the programme, I believe I will have a completed album that fully reflects my identity as an artist – having had the time and space to better understand who I am as a composer, without the limitation of scoring media projects. In turn, this will allow me to emerge from the programme as a truly developed composer who is creatively satisfied, moving forward confidently with a career as a composer/artist. I really hope that this will be the first big step for me as an artist, equipping me with practical support, confidence, and evidence to pitch myself to industry professionals to move away from my current career path.
