iDIG 2016, Schedule of Events for Day 2 (of 3), April 30, RDS Auditorium

The Second Annual Dublin International Game Music Festival

Schedule of Events for Day Two (of three): April 30, 2016

At the RDS Auditorium
(subject to minor changes - as of 4/2/16)

8:00 AM RDS center opens to iDIG Staff for pre show setup.

9:00 AM  General admission doors open for first event.

9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space, Artists Alley

As it was in day one:  We'll have a wonderful collection of game artists showing off their creations.  If you want to exhibit, contact zeldaconductor@gmail.com.

Daxter, by Ciaran Byrne

Iron Man, Meghan Stapleton

9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - IMIRT

The association of indie Irish game developers will have demos running of their new games. Get sneak peeks at these works in progress.

Danny Moffit's "Floaty Ball!

Ian Munt's Gobblin's Grotto

9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - GAME JAM!

Hosted by our Irish Game Developers, watch as they build games in real time!

9:30 -11:00 AM, RDS Auditorium, conducting seminar featuring Eimear Noone

About Eimear Noone: 

Eimear's iDIG 2015 Seminar

Eimear Noone is an award winning Irish composer and conductor, resident in Malibu California, who splits her time between composing for video games, feature films, TV, commercials, and conducting classical and game music concerts.  

Eimear composed and conducted for the iconic video game, "World of Warcraft" and the recent expansion, "Warlords of Draenor." The score for "WoD" received the 2014 "Hollywood Music in Media Award" for "Best Video Game Score" and was nominated for 5 "Annual Game Music Awards," and “The 2015 ASCAP, Composer’s Choice Award.”

Arguably the world's current premier conductor of video game scores (both in the studio and in the concert hall), her credits include the most respected in the genre.  In addition to "World of WarCraft," her credits include "Heroes of The Storm,'" "StarCraft II," "Diablo III." "Reaper of Souls," "Hearthstone," "Overwatch," and many more.  "Diablo III," as one example, smashed the record in game sales by selling over 3.5 million copies in the first 24 hours alone. It also won the 2012 GDC award for best audio - which includes the award for music, the 2012 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Score, and a 2013 BAFTA Nomination for Original Score.

This playlist exemplifies just a few of her performances as conductor for Blizzard Games.

In this seminar Eimear will discuss everything from the basics of conducting, beat patterns, and share her secrets about efficient stage and studio performance.

11:00 - 11:30, Planned Expo Break

11:30 - 1:00 RDS Auditorium, The European Premier of "Beep"

Beep is a documentary history of game sound from the Victorian arcades through to today, with a special focus on video game sound, but also including mechanical games and pinball. Beep is a feature-length film, a series of webisodes and DVD extras, a book, and a collection of resources here on this website. Beep began with a Kickstarter campaign in August/September 2014, and began filming in October 2014. Beep the film and book are scheduled for release in spring 2016. 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch and Expo Time

Be sure to explore the Artists Alley, Game Booths, and more!

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM, RDS Auditorium The Spooney Bards, Straight from Belfast, they return to iDIG to bring their rock twist to your favorite game scores.  

3:00 - 3:30 Auditorium, Meet Terran Gregory

We are pleased to welcome this special guest to the 2016 Dublin International Game Music Festival, award winning director for Blizzard Games, Terran Gregory.

Terran is a Project Director in Blizzard Entertainment’s Cinematics division, where he has been working on creating cutscenes, trailers, short films, and other visual media since joining the company in 2006. Terran creatively leads the World of Warcraft In-Game Cinematics team, which lets him pursue his two greatest passions: Filmmaking and Video games. Terran is eternally humbled and excited for every opportunity he gets to collaborate with the incredibly talented musicians of Blizzard Entertainment.

Terran will discuss his unique journey into the world of video games and share some of his most famous, stunning productions.

3:30 - 4:30 PM,  The Composer and Director Relationship featuring Blizzard Composer Neal Acree and Director Terran Gregory, Moderated by Eimear Noone

Neal Acree, Photo by Fran Marshall

We are doubly blessed at iDIG 2016 to have this multiple award winning pair to discuss their many collaborations.  Don't miss this rare opportunity to get a peek behind the scenes of how the images and music get put together.

4:30 - 5:00 RDS Auditorium, JJ McNamara Returns!

JJ McNamara, classical piano genius and avid game fan performs his version of his favorite game themes.  Since performing at iDIG 2015, he has earned countless awards and won even more piano competitions.  We are so pleased to have him return!

Here's JJ performing "Tetris" as Franz Liszt

5:00 - 6:00 PM, RDS Auditorium, Classroom Battles

Classroom Battles Go Sonic!  A crowd favorite from 2015, they return with a vengeance to iDIG 2016 with there spin on the music from Sonic!

6:00 - 7:00 PM RDS Auditorium

The Triforce Quartet.  Straight from sold out performances at PAX, VGL and the MAG Fest, returns to iDIG to  put their unique stamp on game music!

Hear the Triforce Quartet play the Legend of Zelda Theme

Tickets and more info about The 2016 Dublin International Game Music Festival:  

http://www.idigmusicfest.com

iDIG 2016, Schedule of Events for Day 1 (of 3), April 29th, RDS Auditorium

The Second Annual Dublin International Game Music Festival

Schedule of Events for Day One (of three): April 29, 2016

At the RDS Auditorium
(subject to minor changes - as of 3/18/16)

8:00 AM RDS center opens to iDIG Staff for pre show setup.

9:00 AM  General admission doors open for first event.

9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space, Artists Alley

We'll have a wonderful collection of game artists showing off their creations.  If you want to exhibit, contact zeldaconductor@gmail.com

9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - IMIRT

The association of indie Irish game developers will have demos running of their new games. Get sneak peeks at these works in progress.

Danny Moffit's "Floaty Ball!

Ian Munt's Gobblin's Grotto

9:00 AM (and all day), Expo Space - GAME JAM!

9:30 -11:00 AM, RDS Auditorium, technology demonstration featuring Craig Stuart Garfinkle

Craig Stuart Garfinkle (composer, World of Warcraft; Warlords of Draenor, Baldur's Gate, Dark Alliance II, Fallout Brotherhood of Steel, and trailers for Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Trek) will demonstrate the tools that film and game composers use to create video game music, using the actual sessions from some of his most famous scores.  Learn the secrets to producing slamming game and trailer tracks from this award winning and Emmy nominated composer and music producer.

11:00 - 11:30, Planned Expo Break

11:30 - 12:00  PM, RDS Auditorium - Runes of Aran, A Sneak Peek with Alan Duggan and Eimear Noone

Alan Duggan's "Runes of Aran"

With music by iDIG creator Eimear Noone, we are so pleased to be able to present this " in development " role playing game, set in Ireland's prehistory - a first of it's kind for the genre.

12:00 - 1:00 PM,  RDS Auditorium - IMERT Presentation.

Learn about this dedicated group of Irish indie game developers and see some what they have in store for 2016 and beyond.

Sandor Teli's "Symbol of Destruction" aka "SOD the Game"

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch and Expo Time

Be sure to explore the Artists Alley, Game Booths, and more!

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM RDS Auditorium,  THE DEMO DERBY!

Hosted by iDIG producer, Craig Stuart Garfinkle, our panel of visiting composers, game developers and directors, will spend a full two hours this year, listening and critiquing music submitted by our attendees.

Our 2015 Demo Derby Panel, including Grammy winner Chris Tin, 

Blizzard music head Russell Brower, World of Warcraft cinematatics composer Neal Acree, 

and game music legend Tommy Tallarico.

Composers, Join the list for the DEMO DERBY!

4:00 - 5:00 PM, RDS Auditorium,  A conversation with Blizzard audio and music head, Russell Brower.

Russell Brower

Blizzard Entertainment is know for consistently delivering award winning game scores - due in no small part to the efforts and skill of Blizzard audio and music head, Russell Brower.  Join us to hear him speak of his creative process and how he helps mold Blizzard's scores.

5:00 - 6:00 PM The DIT Traditional Irish Music Ensemble

Another triumphant return to the iDIG Music Festival, The DIT Traditional Irish Music Ensemble will ] present a special "Celtic Link" performance, debuting excerpts from the upcoming CD "The Celtic Link; featuring themes from The Legend of Zelda."

The impetus to create "The Celtic Link" was born at the 2015 festival, when the audience themselves, so moved by the DIT Ensemble's performance of the great game music themes, insisted the DIT ensemble needed to be recorded and a CD released.  A successful Kickstarter campaign followed.

6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner (on your own for this one!)

7:00 PM - ??? PM "Cosball" at the Dublin's Opium Rooms,  26 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, a short bus or cab from the RDS.

Featuring custom dance remixes of your favorite video game themes, here's your opportunity to show off your best cosplay!  Cosplay is not required, but is encouraged!

To submit your game music remix, email zeldaconductor@gmail.com

Tickets and more info about The 2016 Dublin International Game Music Festival:  

http://www.idigmusicfest.com

A Special Video for Our Crowd Created HALO Orchestra!

As many of you know, at the May 1st, 2016 Video Games Live show in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Dublin International Game Music Festival (April 29-May1st, Dublin Ireland), we are attempting to set a Guinness record for the greatest number of individuals involved in a crowd created orchestra.  

The chosen composition for the project:  The classic "Theme from HALO" by Marty O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori.

Many of you have already signed up to perform (200+) and are working on your own videos to contribute - that's just awesome!  (Click here to learn how to participate) 

And we have just started to see the results of your efforts in our inbox via "wetransfer."

But the first video we received came from Catherine Stay.

Catherine Stay

She was so inspirational, we thought we should share a bit of her story with you in her own words (with her permission).

"What do video games and video game music mean to me? 

The fact that I am wheelchair-bound by way of cerebral palsy means I can't do a lot of things without assistance (travel, make food, take care of my cat, etc).   

With such physical limitations existing, I had two choices: allow myself to dwell on what I couldn't do (and give up), or strengthen my mind in any way possible.  

Video games were/are a form of escape for me.   When I was younger, I could put myself in the shoes of the character and live their story for a few hours.   

As I got older and needed to spend increasingly more time in the real world, I would play video games for a different reason: the music (I've even bought some video game soundtracks).  

When I got out of school for good (regular school, what a nightmare), that was when I started taking music seriously.  Before that, I taught myself the basics of the treble clef; I took choir at school; & I've kind of noodled around on the piano since age 8. 

I decided at age 19 to start learning the violin and I'm almost 27 now. 

Our personal reaction:

When so many of us allow the small barriers in life to keep us from expressing our art and music, it's inspiring to see someone who does not allow any barriers to exist.

And for those of us who help create video games, hearing Catherine tell of her experience as a gamer puts the real value of games into perspective.  In the games, we all can fly.

We invite you to check out and share Catherine's YouTube Channel to hear some of the other projects she's been creating and to show her your support.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCauDZhWxUpOWPsmtcDJ2zWQ 

And of course, to all you musicians out there, we invite you to participate in our Dublin International Game Music Festival by  joining our crowd created HALO Orchestra!

And of course, please join us for our Video Games Live show on May 1st, 2016, at the Dublin Convention Center!  See the debut of this ground breaking video, synchronized with our live orchestra, conducted by Eimear Noone.

http://www.flavorus.com/event/IDIG-MUSIC-FESTIVAL-2016/294613

Best,

Craig Stuart Garfinkle and Eimear Noone

Help us "Crowd Create" the Theme from HALO - and Break a Guinness Record.

Attention All Musicians and Game Music Fans!

Help Eimear Noone, The Dublin International 
Video Game Music Festival and Video Games Live

Break a Guinness World Record.

As many of you know, on April 4th, 2015, at the 1st Dublin International Game Music Festival, Eimear Noone combined 134 musicians and singers on stage at the Convention Center Dublin, with 128 videos submitted from musicians around the world - all coming together to "Crowd Create" Eimear's"Malach," theme from the original score to "World of Warcraft; Warlords of Draenor."  It was one of the great highlights to the festival and the headlining Video Games Live Show.  You can see the result below.

A big thanks to Malukah for her absolutely brilliant performance as the "high priestess" of the piece.

Eimear Noone's "Malach," Crowd Created Version.

As we plan for year 2 of The Dublin International Game Music Festival, (April 29-30 at the RDS, and May 1st at the Convention Center Dublin), everyone is asking us the question, "What epic event will the iDIG Music Fest team pull off this year.

After much consideration, we've decided it wouldn't be enough to just create another crowd created video, but this time, we need to set a Guinness World Record for the most videos of individual players combined to recreate a single piece of music.  

With this goal in mind, we decided that the "Video Games Live" version of the original theme from "HALO," (by Marty O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, orchestrated by Emmanuel Fratianni, Laurie Robinson, & Benoît Grey) would be the perfect piece to accomplish this task.  

So we reached out to both our friend Tommy Tallarico (of Video Games Live) and our friends at Microsoft to see if they would be on board.  They instantly agreed to the idea - but it's taken a bit to work through the details.  We've been waiting for the approvals...

Which just came through -  so we are off and running.  We are thrilled!

Sign Up Now

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The Process:

Step 1:  

Click on this link.   The link will take you to a sign-up page where you will find the download link to all of the parts and the audio guide track for the "Halo Theme."  You must sign up to download the files.

Step 2:  

Download the parts as well as the audio guide track from the second link.  The guide track is a click track layered upon a mono mix of the arrangement we are recreating.  The zip has parts for the entire orchestra - find your part.

Step 3:  While listening to the guide track on an earbud or headphone, using a cell phone or video camera, video yourself playing your part/parts.  

If you have a way to record with a proper microphone and synchronize your audio to the video, then do so.  If you don't have that capability the audio recorded on the phone will work just fine.

Step 4:  

Make sure you identify the video file(s) with your name in the title so we know who to put in the credits!

Step 5:

Using "Wetransfer.com," send your video(s) to zeldaconductor@gmail.com.  Do not send the video as an attachment to an email as that will crash our email server.

Format:  

TUNING IS A440!

Ideally, your video file should be a 16 X 9, H.2.6.4 QuickTime file with stereo audio.  

Audio should be at 48K.

But if what you just read seems like gobbledygook to you, don't worry;  just send us the video.  We can import just about anything.

Synchronization:  

Below is a snapshot from the score.  You will notice the first bar is in 4/4 and the notation states "4 clicks to bar 1."

On the audio recording, in bar zero(the very top), you will hear a synth pad.  Then in bar 1 you will hear a gong and gran casa roll into bar 2, where the iconic theme is stated in male voices.  That's how you know where you are.

While listening to the click, if you could clap your hands exactly on the downbeat of bar one, that would be ideal.  This is the equivalent of the old "slate" you would see executed in a movie.  We use that clap to line-up your video with all the others.

If your part does not start until much later in the piece:

Clap your hands exactly on the downbeat 2 bars (or so) before you come in.  We'll know where you are and as long as you are accurate with your clap, we can line you up.

Try to do your part in one continuous performance.  This way, once we have the clap exactly lined up on the downbeat, as long as you play in sync with the click and guide track, your entire performance will be in sync when your part is lined up with our master session.

If one continuous take is not possible, that's OK too.  Likewise, if you don't include a clap.  These tools just make lining things up easier.

Click Instructions:

1.  The parts we are using come straight from the Video Games Live library and certain elements are originally designed to be specifically conducted and directed.  We've created a new click for this purpose.

Therefore at the top we have constructed a rubato click for the vocal part that follows the subtlety of the performance.  Likewise, for the tag in measure 139, the click goes momentarily into an 8th note click in order to be able to direct you through the ritard.  A listen or two to the click against the track and you will get it.

We've added these notations in your part (ignore the "Click Out" from the original part in measure 139).

2.  There are two guide tracks uploaded.  The first has the click hard right and the music hard left.  The second version is in mono with the click married to the guide track.

Depending on your method of recording, you might want one or there other, for example, if you record with just one headphone, use the mono version.

ATTIRE OR BACKGROUNDS IN THE VIDEO:

Please avoid clothes with logo's, game images, or anything that might cause us to infringe on a trademark.  Don't worry if you have already sent a video, we'll simply have to blur out logos.  

If you have an iDIG or VIDEO GAMES LIVE T-Shirt, those are OK!  Likewise, if you want to show off your band's T-shirt, that is OK too - as long as it's your brand.  

A million people may see this video - use it to show off your band.

Last Performance Notes:

As much as you might hate the sound of your voice or instrument without reverb, we ask that you send your tracks dry!  If your track is dry, then it's easier to make it blend with the rest of our tracks by giving all of them a matching reverb!  

Two examples follow, excerpts from Malach - just to give you an idea of what is expected of your video:

Mark Scholl, Percussion - we created the montage,

you send all the video individually.

Joe Pignato, Guitar

UPDATE

We just posted this montage from videos from Joe and Mark, created for this year!

It rocks!

Deadline:

THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED.  We would like to have all the videos by March 29, 2016 as we know it will take 6 weeks to compile, synchronize and mix everything.

If you can get your tracks in early, that's even better as every moment counts when undertaking such a complicated adventure.

The video will debut at the Video Games Live Show, May 1st at the Convention Center Dublin, Ireland, during the closing act of the Dublin International Game Music Festival.  We'd love to see you there is you can make it!

INCLUDE YOUR NAME IN THE TITLE OF YOUR VIDEO!

DON'T LET YOUR WORK GET LOST!

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Hear a live performance of the VGL HALO Theme

Get your tickets to the 2016 iDIG Music Festival.

An overview of The Dublin International Game Music Festival
April 29 - May 1st, 2016

The first video we received:  A truly special story.