The Musical Journey of Fabien: From Drums to Cinema Scores
fabien’s musical journey began at the tender age of 5, playing the drum in the brass band of his hometown, Gien, in Centre-Val de Loire. His passion for rhythm led him to study drums at the DANTE AGOSTINI school by the age of 10, and by 16, he was playing in balls and concerts with an AC/DC tribute band called “Wise BLOOD.” A pivotal moment came at 17 when he started working as a bartender in a nightclub, where he soon transitioned to becoming an apprentice DJ and later, a resident DJ. Simultaneously, he began teaching himself guitar, piano, and bass while learning to use recording equipment. At 20, he started working as a studio assistant, absorbing knowledge like a sponge, and establishing himself as a sought-after drummer for demos.
His DJ career spanned 32 years, but his real passion was the mixing consoles in recording studios: NEVE, API, SSL, which drew him deeper into the world of sound engineering. This fascination led to his work with Audio Energy in Bourges, where he mixed live performances and connected with many artists, solidifying his place in the music world. Today, at 63 years old, fabien continues to live his passion intensely.
From DJ to Film Composer
fabien’s transition into film composition happened somewhat serendipitously. After years in the music industry, he reconnected with an old client who was now working in filmmaking. The client, Olivier Goujon of OGFilms, asked fabien if he could compose music for a feature film called MENESTREL, after two previous attempts with other composers had fallen through. Although new to film scoring, fabien took on the challenge, writing 12 minutes of music in just 10 days. His work impressed Goujon, who gave him “free rein” to complete the entire score. Since then, fabien has composed for three of Goujon’s films.
fabien’s approach to film composition emphasizes collaboration with the director or production team. He prefers having direct conversations to understand the creative vision, recording these discussions to capture every detail. After receiving the film’s screenplay and a first cut, he watches the film multiple times, taking careful notes before diving into the composition. He stresses the importance of respecting deadlines, noting that simplicity in composition is often harder than it seems.
Tools of the Trade
fabien’s creative process is driven by an impressive array of tools. He uses Logic Pro on an Apple MacStudio Ultra M2, accompanied by various UAD Apollo interfaces for Dolby Atmos projects. His studio includes GENELEC speakers, Sennheiser headphones, and Native Instruments keyboards. He relies on a wide range of sample libraries, including CineSamples, Heavyocity, and Cinematic Alpha, to create rich, textured scores. Multichannel tools like Cinematic Rooms Professional are essential for his Dolby Atmos work, though fabien emphasizes the importance of thoroughly mastering such complex tools.
Influences and Musical Philosophy
fabien’s musical influences are rooted in both classical and contemporary genres. His father’s collection of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Verdi left a lasting impression on him. As a DJ, he was shaped by artists ranging from Neil Young to Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, and Michael Jackson. His experience as a DJ taught him to navigate a vast array of musical genres, from disco to funk, trance, and jazz.
When it comes to film composition, fabien admires legendary composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer, but he’s also excited by newcomers who push boundaries and break traditional molds. He believes that in film, music should complement the visuals, not overpower them.
The Future of Film Music
fabien expresses concern about the future of film music, noting a decline in quality despite technological advancements. “I’ve noticed a decline in quality across many industries, including music. I don’t see much of an evolution, in fact, it seems to be going in reverse,” he says.
Even in big-budget films, he observes a return to styles from the past. “It feels like the 80s are making a comeback,” highlighting a lack of innovation in some areas.
However, fabien acknowledges the potential of new technologies like Dolby Atmos and IMAX. “Technology has made great strides,” he notes, but questions how many cinemas are fully equipped to take advantage of these advancements.
He emphasizes the critical role sound quality plays in a film’s success. “Nowadays, sound quality accounts for over 40% of a film’s success. If your music doesn’t sound right or you don’t have the right tools, it’s very difficult.”
To stay on top of these changes, fabien dedicates time each day to learning about new instruments, libraries, and AI technologies, ensuring his work remains innovative and relevant.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fabienbourgeais1573
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13879711/
Allocine:https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=987195.html
E-Mail: fbghosty@outlook.com
Author: Andrew Fly
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