Start by watching the film from start to finish without taking notes or planning out the music. Just take in the plot and allow yourself to have a natural emotional reaction to it. Let the film marinate in your memory for a day or so after watching it. Every now and then, think about the way a character or scene made you feel to get your creative juices flowing. As you watch, take notes on the film's overall tone, characters, key scenes, and scene changes. You should start to get a feel for your score's framework after at least 5 to 10 viewings. However, the right number of times depends on your creative process and the film's length and complexity.  Composing a score is all about framing the film's story, so pay attention to how the plot unfolds. For instance, the story may develop in a straightforward, step-by-step manner. In some films, on the other hand, the action jumps around and the plot unfolds through flashbacks and other non-linear devices. When you watch the film subsequent times, note cues such as character introductions, scene changes, and dramatic moments. Write down the cue’s start time, a brief description, what feeling the music should convey, and when the cue ends.  For instance, note that a chase scene starts at 24:15, its music needs to be fast-paced and exciting, and it transitions to another cue at 26:32. When the audience first meets a main character at 5:24, note that you should introduce their musical theme. You can either take detailed notes by hand or watch the film on a digital audio workstation (DAW) computer program and type in markers directly into the file while you watch. After watching the film several times, review your notes and start coming up with ideas for your cues. Determine approximately how long the cue is, then figure out a suitable tempo for the scene. Once you’ve set the tempo for a cue, hum, whistle, or play tunes on your instrument or audio program to brainstorm melodies. During the spotting process, watch the film with the director at least once. Discuss their goals for specific moments and the score at large. Ask about instrumentation, styles of music, and how they imagine the score framing the story.  Get the filmmaker’s input at the start of the process, and ask for feedback as you compose the score. Aim to meet their expectations, but trust your gut and keep in mind they’re hiring you for your expertise. Depending on the scale of the project, you may also meet with a music supervisor, sound editor, or other managing members of the crew.
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One-sentence summary -- Watch the film straight through to get a feel for the plot. Rewatch the film several times after your first viewing. Note the start mark, desired effect, and end mark of each cue. Brainstorm tempos, instruments, and other qualities for your cues. Talk to the filmmaker about their goals for the score.


Before you begin the process of removing your lenses, make sure you have a contact container cleaned and prepared.  Make sure your container is free of debris by rinsing it out. Do not use tap water. Tap water is safe to drink, but not entirely sterile and can contain microorganisms that are harmful to the eye. Rinse out your contact lens container with solution, not water.  Either wipe the case dry with a clean, lint-free towel or let it air dry. Air drying is preferable, as it reduces the chance of spreading bacteria or debris into the case.  Contact lens cases should only be used for three months before being discarded. Keep track of how long you've had your case. . Before you remove your contacts, or do anything else that involves touching your eye, you should always thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Debris or bacteria you've had contact with throughout the day can lead to eye infection.  Get your hands wet with tap water. While people often encourage the use of warm water, temperature is a matter of personal preference. Warm or cold is fine.  The soap you use to wash your hands before removing your contacts should be pH neutral and contain little oil or fragrance.  Lather your hands, making sure to get between your fingers and the back of your hands. As you'll be touching your eyes directly, pay special attention to washing your finger tips and under your nails.  Scrub your hands under running water for at least 20 seconds. In order to keep track of time, you can hum the "Happy Birthday" song to yourself twice.  Rinse your hands. Be particularly careful about removing all soap, as soap can irritate your eyes.  If possible, air dry your hands before handling contact lenses to avoid getting lint trapped in your eyes. If that's not an option, use paper towel as it's less likely to leave debris on your hands. If you have one, it might be a good idea to use a nail brush. As you'll be having such close contact with your eyes, you want to make sure all debris is safely removed. To remove contact lenses, you need to be able to see your eyes. Find a clearly lit room that contains a mirror. Your lens should be position in front of the colored part of your eye. Look directly into your own eyes and see if you can use the mirror to see the outline of your contact. You want to know where the lens is before touching your eye to avoid inadvertently touching the eye itself. There's a chance you might drop your contact lens. To be safe, make sure you are standing over a clean surface. If you are standing over a sink, make sure you plug the drain so your contact lens doesn't disappear down the plumbing.
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One-sentence summary --
Clean your contact case. Wash your hands Find a mirror in a well lit room. Stand over an appropriate surface.