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An event covering music and the media · August 26-28, 2005 · Cinema of the Museum Ludwig, Cologne ·
within the framework of c/o pop
The music industry is currently undergoing major structural changes. Although only a few segments are managing to cope with this large-scale development, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with its lively and markedly flexible media-music scene shows great potential for development. In spite of everything, the media-music segment is one of the few fields showing growth - and this although the people working there belong neither to the category of media nor to that of music, despite the fact that they are active in both areas.
As far as the musical industry in NRW is concerned, the conditions for the production of film, TV and other media-oriented music are relatively unfavourable, despite the concentration of media companies. This is partly due to the aggressive support provided by Berlin, Munich and Ð with reservations ÐHamburg. In addition, those who work in the field of media-oriented music in NRW have no lobby in their home state. Another problem is the fact that artists, in their double role of creative artist and self-employed person, frequently have no real idea of the many opportunities for support and advice. Taken together, these factors noticeably handicap regional competitiveness.
Internationally the role of well designed sound tracks for all types of media productions is becoming more and more significant. This is as true for films and TV as it is for the booming market in talking books and games. Sound design in film planning is more important than it has ever been. In addition to the wealth of talent to be found among its young filmmakers, Germany also offers a new generation of film-music composers, well able to hold their own against international and European competitors. The principal problems of the scene are: lack of market access, not enough dialogue with other artists, and a lack of training in the Non-Musical Skills (law, technology etc.).
This is where SoundTrack_Cologne comes in. In 2005 it focuses on networking and a professional approach both for composers of music in the media and for film and media producers. In November 2004 SoundTrack_Cologne 1.0 acted as kick starter and pilot project. The lessons learnt there, and the wishes expressed by music composers for films and media, sound designers, culture and media politicians, film producers, directors, publishers, record companies, academics and students, have been taken into account for SoundTrack_Cologne 2.0. The dialogue successfully initiated by SoundTrack_Cologne 1.0 will, in August 2005, be continued by SoundTrack_Cologne 2.0, and will be intensified and expanded to cover the whole field of music and sound design in media.
The long-term goal is to establish SoundTrack_Cologne as a trade congress with access for the public, and contribute to the increased awareness and sustained strengthening of NRW, Germany and Europe as areas for sound and music in the media.
The Modules
Organised independently, united under one roof.
SoundTrack_Cologne 1.0 provides direction and impetus for SoundTrack_Cologne 2.0, which will take place in August 2005 as part of c/o pop. Within the framework of c/o pop, SoundTrack_Cologne will be the connecting link between the popular art forms film and music.
Module 1 | MediaMusicEconomy
Economic and financial aspects, and those concerning the production of music in films and the media, from the perspective of experts from the professional association MediaMusic:nrw. What are the criteria of professional composing professionally for the media, what is lacking - on the part of the musicians as well as their customers? One thing is certain: No composer can do the work all by himself, he needs a competent partner. More often than not, all the involved end up feeling misunderstood. We will go in search of the right language for addressing AUDIOvisual matters, of striking the right note when it comes to combining music with a story, of the solutions to problems which make our work difficult on a regular basis - amongst these the fear of collection agencies and the new copyright law.
Module 2 | Cologne Days of Film Music
Aesthetic and cultural aspects of film music. Well-known film music composers, sound designers and theoreticians explain their aesthetic concepts using a selection of films.
Module 3 | European University Meeting - New Sound in European Film
The meeting for up-and coming talents, New Sound in European Film - European University Meeting, integrates the most successful point on the agenda of the International Film Music Biennial Bonn, applies the groundwork done there and, for three days during SoundTrack_Cologne, deals with central issues of applied sound track design in European film. Integrating the European University Meeting with representatives from 35 film and music colleges from 18 countries makes SoundTrack_Cologne a specialist event with international significance.
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