Chasing Notes tells the story of the process of film composing through interviews by Jaymee Carpenter, a recovering drug-addict and former homeless man chasing his dream on a journey to become a film composer in Hollywood, while his family teeters on the brink of financial collapse. Set against this dramatic real-life tale are interviews from high-profile award-winning film composers. The film is directed by James Goodwin, a former Emmy Award-winning photojournalist. Chasing Notes will be featured at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Sunday April 24th at 3:15pm at The Island Cinema 999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
Chasing Notes reveals a year-in-the life of aspiring composer Jaymee Carpenter (who also scored the film), and displays his inspiring message through his resilience and artistry. Carpenter interviews many of today's top film and television composers, including Nathan Barr, Marco Beltrami, Harry Gregson-Williams, John Ottman, Christopher Young, Christophe Beck, Theodore Shapiro, Deborah Lurie, George S. Clinton, Mervyn Warren, and Peter Golub (Director of the Sundance Film Music Program). Chasing Notes examines the challenges and demands faced by film composers as they apply their craft in a highly-competitive field and introduces the personalities and talents of music makers of film.
"The work of composers is often unheralded within the movie industry," said producer and film music journalist Thomas Hoover. "With this film, we hope to bring more awareness about the unique contributions these artists make while also spotlighting the difficult journey aspiring composers take to seize their opportunities in this highly competitive arena." According to Goodwin, "Our goal was to tell a story about sacrifices and desires to achieve one's dream."
Chasing Notes is directed by James Goodwin, a former Emmy Award-winning photojournalist and now a director of commercials and music videos; producer is Thomas Hoover, a film producer, author and film music critic. The executive producer is Ray Costa, a former Associated Press-winning news reporter and now president of Costa Communications, an entertainment public relations firm specializing in composers, worldwide concerts and film festivals, Line Producer is Beth Krakower of The Krakower Group, specializing in soundtracks and composer publicity. Goodwin and Costa have co-produced and co-directed vignettes on composers that have been featured on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Variety.com, The Hollywood Reporter and more.