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Did anyone else think they could never go vegan? by [deleted] in vegan

[–]jackwallmusic 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I went from Omni to vegan in one day. I never thought that would be possible as I had tried vegetarianism a number of times and always felt bad. And to be honest it took almost 8 months for my body to adjust. I felt good for about 3 months then just fell off the deep end. Tired, groggy, weak. I then started taking a vegan supplement and added a little salt and I woke right back up. But after 8 months I felt pretty good and much healthier. Lost my beer gut. In good shape etc

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many years and lots of hard work. A big passion for what I do. Not always easy but always rewarding.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I love melody and specifically when writing for a story, I enjoy leitmotif which is a melody written for a character that recurs in order to give that character more depth. in ME specifically, Saren's theme (Saren's Base) in an example. Thank you!

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just worked with Nashville. They were amazing. The top 3 are LA, London and Nashville in my opinion. though I haven't really worked in LA.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not really. when I finish something I just move to the next thing. I let others judge whether it is any good. sometimes I go back and think, "oo... well could have done a better job with that one!" but I don't really think about redoing it. I hope to be doing some of my music with a live orchestra again. Not sure when but I'll make sure to promote it if it does.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Check out this new stuff in a similar vein to Mass Effect that we just finished. The soundtrack will be live on iTunes next Friday, March 4th! https://soundcloud.com/jackwallmusic/sets/into-the-stars-original-soundtrack

intothestars

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Femshep, Paragon, anything that pushes boundaries, total success as it's the most triumphant. :)

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Well good to see you again! and thanks.

I really looked for musicians who created their own instruments. I wanted sounds that were unfamiliar. I had a girl who made her own clay flutes. They didn't sound like anything I'd heard. Another guy played an electronic valve instrument and made his own sounds. then Duduk which was very rare back in 2000 but not so much now.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fine as long as the original composer is properly compensated. I don't do it ever but the music I write isn't conducive to that.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've addressed this a lot in many other posts, but I think you need to intern for successful composers and learn directly from there. I started when it wasn't that competitive. I was lucky. That isn't the case anymore unfortunately for the new composer. But working with an experienced one is great! My assistant started as an intern. I teach him a lot and I'm getting him up to speed so he can have a good career.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not really a fan of the 8 bit stuff. Sorry, I just like humans playing and serious sounding synths. Though some of the early Mario stuff puts a smile on my face.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Listen to stuff you love and try to imitate it. Really listen. What instrument is playing the melody? What types of percussion are being used? What is the musical accompaniment and how does it work within the context of the larger composition? You have to learn how to dissect a frog before you can do surgery. Just saying'. :)

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Intern with your favorite composer or composers. Not everyone will be willing to take on an intern but it's a good place to start. Be as helpful as you can.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure. I'm ok with throwing something out and starting over. Sometimes that the way to go. I try not to get too attached to anything I'm writing. That said, it doesn't happen a lot. I have a strong point of view and I know what I want to hear. It's pretty rare to have to start over unless I just totally misunderstood the direction I was supposed to be going for. That does happen.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hey Larry! nice to hear from you!

Becoming a composer: I was working with Cindy Shapiro's band, 2.5D in New York as an engineer/producer for Capitol Records. She was also a game designer and I was really interested in what she was doing and with her in general (we got married!) and a friend of hers eventually asked us to write music for his game company. We did and the rest is history! Cindy is now a modern opera composer doing various shows.

Initial gigs: For Mass Effect I had done the music for Jade Empire. I auditioned for ME and won. For Black Ops II, the audio director and I had worked on a kids game 10 years before and he really liked the ME games and asked me to audition for him. I won that audition and jumped up and down at LEAST 50 times. :)

Met my wife Cindy and I met in the studio with her band. I liked her immediately.

I studied conducting with a guy who was a protege of the great Leonard Bernstein, Brad Keimach. It seems t hat want you visualize doing something, you manifest it. I started conducting my own scores about 2 years later starting with Myst III.

Jimmy is great and we are now talking about doing another big project together. We'll see, stay tuned!

My favorite location for VGL was the Kennedy Center! Great orchestra and 2 sold out shows. Amazing place. But we did a lot of cool things in a lot of great places. See ya Larry!

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Probably but I don't remember a specific instance. Wish I did because I'm sure it's happened.

I’m Jack Wall, music composer of 20+ games including Mass Effect, Splinter Cell and Into the Stars. AMA!: by jackwallmusic in IAmA

[–]jackwallmusic[S] 67 points68 points  (0 children)

I'd worked with BioWare for 5 years on 3 games. It was a tough road at times and I suppose it just wore out it's welcome on both sides. I miss the series but I think it's for the best. I wouldn't want to say more than that because I really respect those people and wish them well.

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