Film scoring was something I was interested in but also somewhat apprehensive about. Composing music was different because it had another dimension to it; visuals. That coupled with feeling musically and technologically inept, the idea of film scoring was quite ambitious for me.

I was intimidated at first when I heard about the summer 2007 film scoring program at the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute. Why? I'm not sure. I just did.

Anyway, I battled it out with my demons, thinking that this a chance that I shouldn't pass up and mustered the guts to enroll myself.
The class was a pretty intimate one since there were only three of us. Our mentor was Sir Nonong Buencamino and wow! I was enlightened.

A lot of theory and analysis was involved and they were much needed. Music has different functions in a film and we needed to understand how, when, what music would work where and why.

All that theory did have a practical application. We scored a short film. How did that go? Pretty alright. It was our first film and it definitely wasn't easy but we managed to pull through at the end.

How was the experience? In so many words, it was great. The course itself no matter how short overwhelmed me with the numerous possibilities I could go to and take in terms of work and career.

I think I got more than what I bargained for because it was an honor to study under the brilliant Nonong Buencamino who had much to share. His knowledge and passion will just astound you. Not only that but he's really patient with his students.

It's also an added bonus that I took the course at the MDA Film Institute because the film students there are a bunch of creative, talented, dynamic, determined and hardworking people. I have met a handful of them and saw their work. They were amazing! I have yet work
with them but I definitely am looking forward to it.

The moral of the story really is that we shouldn't let our inhibitions get the better of us because we might just be turning our backs on other opportunities.

Life is slightly more colorful if we take chances.