Sonic Union is set to host an interactive workshop titled “Musical Bias and the Brief: A Workshop For The Storytelling Process in Original Film Composition” at Ciclope, the premier international festival for the moving image industry.
The session will be led by Sonic Union’s Creative Director and Composer, Zac Colwell, alongside Executive Creative Director, Halle Petro, and will explore the intricacies of the musical creative process. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 9th at 4:30 pm at the Konzertsaal of the Universität der Künste.
The workshop aims to delve into how musical biases shape creative decisions and how to craft music briefs that effectively interpret emotional cues for original film compositions. Zac Colwell emphasizes the essential role music plays in storytelling across various media. “Whether it’s for a brand, agency, film, or creative endeavor, music is essential in delivering the final impact of a story,” notes Colwell. “Discussing music can be challenging when briefing or communicating with musicians. Our workshop aims to break down walls and build confidence in collaborating on music that will sonically define creative work.”
Halle Petro adds a psychological perspective to the workshop. “I find it fascinating that our musical bias occurs when we are exposed to sounds even from a young age, and how that both contributes to and can limit our creative capacity,” says Petro. The session will engage participants in recognizing their own musical biases and constructing music briefs that effectively communicate storytelling objectives.
Attendees will have hands-on opportunities to create and develop briefs, gaining tools to think like a composer for film. The workshop aims to enhance participants’ confidence in musical decision-making and deepen their understanding of the collaborative process.
“Ciclope is the premiere festival for creative inspiration,” notes Petro. “What people really love about the festival is the intimate experience that fosters transparency and celebrates innovation. We are honored that the festival is shining a spotlight on music in a hands-on structure where people can really exchange ideas in a way what music should be about – a joyous creative process that helps define the stories we tell.”
Workshop Presenters
- Halle Petro: As an Executive Creative Director, Petro has overseen music and sound across commercials, documentaries, TV series, sound installations, and podcasts. Her work includes the Emmy-nominated “Resistance Radio” for Amazon Studios & The Man in the High Castle, the documentary Nothing Fancy (SXSW 2019, James Beard Award Nominee 2020), and the Webby-nominated podcast We Got You. Petro has collaborated with brands like Coach, Corona, Nikon, Nintendo, Samsung, and Ford. She has served as an AICP Curatorial Committee member, judge, and board member since 2018.
- Zac Colwell: A multi-instrumentalist, award-winning composer, and Creative Director at Sonic Union, Colwell has nearly a decade of experience in advertising. He leads the band Fancy Colors and is a founding member of Voyager Collective, Jupiter One, CHAPPO, and The Silver Clouds. His broad musical experience includes performing with artists like Big Data, of Montreal, Sondre Lerche, and Bleachers, as well as producing albums for various independent artists.
The workshop is designed to provide attendees with actionable insights and practical skills to navigate the storytelling process through music effectively, offering a deep dive into how sound influences narrative and evokes emotion in visual media.
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