During this first in a series of music related events, the New York Film Synergy Group brings you a behind-the-scenes overview of the film scoring process, exploring the relationship between the visual and aural aspects of the cinematic experience.

Guest composers Andrew Markus and Peter Calandra will open the evening by analyzing portions of classic Hollywood movies and modern film scores such as Vertigo and American Beauty (we strongly suggest that you watch these masterpieces prior to our event). The presentations will illuminate the crucial symbiotic relationship between moving pictures and the soundscape that accompanies them.

In Part Two of the evening, we will cover film music from the psychological, emotional and financial angles, with an emphasis on the communication between the composer and the artistic members of the production team. Current film music practice will be illustrated through the recent works of Peter Calandra and Andrew Markus.

Rather than treating it as just an agent that facilitates absorption, we celebrate film music as an indispensable contributor to the cinematic experience. We are committed to pushing the envelope; we will explore how we could create naturally sounding scores by using synthesizers, chamber music and live orchestras when possible.

Please join us! All indie film directors, producers, new and seasoned film composers, as well as anyone interested in the subject of this highly anticipated event are welcome.
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ANDREW MARKUS - biography
A New York based composer for the past 14 years, Andrew began his career while still in college orchestrating the score for the New York theatrical premier of On The Waterfront starring Adrien Pasdar and Vincent Pastore. He has composed and licensed music for feature films, documentaries, television, theater, commercials and industrial projects. His music has been used by Entertainment Weekly, A&E, MTV, Logo, Biography Channel, History Channel and many independent producers of film, television and theater.

Andrew is the creative director of 4 Score + 7 Music, a music production company that creates original music and licenses music from their original music catalog. He was a finalist in the Turner Classic Movies Young Film Composers Competition, Runner up for best score in the 2007 New York, 48 Hour Film Project. Mr. Marcus is currently working on several television projects.
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PETER CALANDRA - biography
Peter Calandra is a New York City-based composer and keyboard player. He has scored 12 movies including: Trip To The Planetarium (2008 Licorne Films), The Sickness (2007 Antidote Films) Jellysmoke (Winner 2005 Los Angeles Film Festival), Unknown Soldier (2004 CL Productions feature film, Winner 2004 Los Angeles and Philadelphia Film Festivals, Nominee 2005 Independent Spirit Award). He has written over 1000 compositions for television broadcast and his music is heard daily on both network and cable television. His score for "Tufts Is" won a 2007 Silver Telly Award for "Use Of Music".

As a performer, Peter spent 10 years playing the piano chair for the Broadway production of Miss Saigon. He also toured the U.S.A playing Keyboard 1 with Les Miserables and played in the Broadway Production of Phantom Of The Opera. He also served as Pianist/Conductor and Musical Director for the award winning original NYC production of Little Shop of Horrors. He is currently playing keyboards part time in The Lion King on Broadway. Peter has performed or recorded with the NY Pops Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Susan Anton, Don Cherry, Aretha Franklin, Allen Ginsberg, Annie Golden, Lillianne Montevecchi and spent 16 years as keyboard player in the artist/musician Larry Rivers Climax Band.