David Hirschfelder is recognised globally as one of Australia’s most distinguished screen-composers. In his 30-year career he has written the score or soundtrack to more than 80 film and television productions, and has received numerous local and international accolades.

David’s film credits include some of the most iconic Australian and international productions ever realised, including Strictly Ballroom (1992), Shine (1996), Sliding Doors (1998), Elizabeth (1998), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Australia (2008), Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’hoole (2010), Happy Feet 2 (2011), The Railway Man (2013), The Water Diviner (2014), And The Dressmaker (2015) to name just  a few.

His first ever film-score for Strictly Ballroom in 1992 won him the BAFTA Award for Best Original Film Score, three years later David received his first Oscar nomination and AFI award for the score to Shine; and two years later he received his second Oscar nomination, as well as second BAFTA award for his work on Elizabeth. David has received a total of 13 international awards and further 26 nominations for his work.

Some of the topics covered in this 2-hour masterclass include:

• Composing for film vs composing for television

• Collaborating with directors

• Musical sound design of a score

• How a draft sketch develops into a full orchestral score

• Sources of inspiration

• Thematic interpolation

• Planting melodic seeds

• How score is used to create irony, emotion, tension and humour

Join David for an on-stage discussion as he talks through his career and creative process step-by-step. A large range of clips will be presented on screen during the discussion to illustrate his method. These clips will include early drafts and rejected versions as well as the final music chosen, and show some of the challenges and paths one has navigate to create a finished score.