Marvin’S Brief Interest In Film Scoring — And The Half-Written Score He Left Behind

April 2, 2025

Marvin had always found solace in music. As a child, he would spend hours listening to soundtracks from his favorite movies, captivated by how melodies could evoke emotion and tell stories without a single word. It was no surprise when he decided to try his hand at film scoring during his sophomore year of high school. With a keyboard he borrowed from his music teacher, Marvin dove into a world of orchestral sounds and digital effects, dreaming of the day he could score a blockbuster film.

His first project was a short film created by his friend Emily for a school competition. Marvin dedicated countless afternoons to composing the score, weaving together sounds that mirrored the unfolding drama on screen. He would sit for hours, lost in thought, scribbling notes in his worn-out notebook. Each chord he crafted was a step deeper into a magical world where his music could make characters feel alive, and where every crescendo could pull at the audience’s heartstrings. He felt a spark of passion igniting within him—a feeling that perhaps music could be his guiding light.

However, the excitement of creating music for film quickly morphed into an overwhelming challenge. As the deadline approached, he found himself struggling to meet his own high expectations. One evening, sitting in his dimly lit room, he became frustrated. The notes he once believed flowed effortlessly now felt clunky and awkward. Marvin stared at the half-written score spread out before him—pages filled with crossed-out melodies and jumbled rhythms. A dark cloud of self-doubt crept in, whispering that his dream was too big for him, too far out of reach. He decided to take a break, thinking perhaps stepping away would help him find inspiration again.

Days turned into weeks, and the final submission date loomed larger. Marvin felt a heaviness in his chest, the weight of his unfinished score weighing down his spirit. Just as he was about to give up, he received a message from Emily. She reminded him of how much his music had transformed their project, turning it from a simple assignment into something truly special. Her unwavering belief in his talent stirred something in Marvin, and he realized that music was more than just a goal; it was a gift he could share with others.

With renewed determination, Marvin sat down again at his keyboard. He poured his heart into those notes, letting every emotion guide him. Although he didn’t finish the score as he initially envisioned, he submitted what he had, proud of the journey rather than just the destination. When the day of the competition arrived, Marvin’s music played in the background, and the audience was transported into the world of Emily’s story, laughing and crying as the film unfolded.

In the end, Marvin learned a valuable lesson about creativity and resilience. Even though he never scored a big film like he had once dreamed, that experience sparked a lifelong love for music. He went on to explore other genres and forms, creating songs that touched people’s hearts. As he wrote music in the years to come, he remembered that half-finished score, a symbol of his passion—and the belief that sometimes, it’s not about perfection, but the journey of creating something beautiful.