THE INTENSIVE 2027
January 10 - 15, 2027
For ten years, the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive has brought composers together in Los Angeles for hands-on professional development under the guidance of experienced professionals working across film, television, recording, and the entertainment industry.
LAFCI's program, The Intensive, is designed for composers and songwriters seeking to expand their creative and professional skill set through focused work in composition, orchestration, conducting, music preparation, songwriting, and professional recording.
Today's media composer is asked to do more than write great music. Composers must be able to work across styles and recording environments, communicate effectively with musicians and collaborators, understand the recording process, and adapt creatively to the needs of each project.
The Intensive 2027 addresses these demands through seven days of programming—including one online preparatory day followed by six days in Los Angeles, and three distinct recording experiences.
Open to composers and songwriters at different stages of their artistic and professional development, The Intensive brings together a deliberately small cohort of no more than 14 Fellows for an intensive week of learning through doing.
THREE RECORDING SESSIONS
HYBRID SCORING
Each Fellow will compose music to a selected film clip and bring that work into a professional hybrid scoring session combining live musicians with their own electronic and sampled elements.
Fellows will receive an individual composition review, and the LAFCI music preparation team will provide music preparation services for the live recording session.
Live instrumentation:
Strings — 3/3/2/2/1
Recording Session at Capitol Studios
SONGWRITING
SONGWRITING & RECORDING WITH JESSE CARMICHAEL
The modern media composer is increasingly asked to work beyond the boundaries of traditional orchestral scoring.
Under the guidance of Jesse Carmichael, songwriter and founding member of Maroon 5, Fellows will explore the craft and creative process of songwriting before bringing original work into the recording studio.
This experience is designed to expand each participant's creative vocabulary while exploring another important dimension of contemporary music creation and collaboration.
Recording Session at The Roost Studios
FULL ORCHESTRA RECORDING
The week culminates with each Fellow taking the podium to conduct and record an original composition with the Hollywood Studio Symphony.
Prior to the recording session, Fellows will receive individual score and part review as well as dedicated conducting preparation.
Planned instrumentation:
2/2/2/2 – 4/3/3/1 – 3 Percussion – Harp – Piano – Strings 8/6/6/6/2
Standard woodwind doublings will be available. A detailed percussion list will be provided to accepted Fellows.
Recording Session at the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage at Sony Picture Studios
FELLOWS
Limited to a maximum of 14 FellowsFellows receive:
Participation in all classes, discussions, sessions, and guest presentations Hands-on work with LAFCI faculty and invited industry professionals
Three distinct recording experiences
Individual hybrid-session composition review
Private score and part review for the full-orchestra session
Music preparation services for the hybrid scoring session
A minimum of 15 minutes of podium time during each conducting session
Video files of conducting sessions
The opportunity to work directly with professional Los Angeles recording musicians
The opportunity to conduct and record an original composition with the Hollywood Studio Symphony
Audio mixes and Pro Tools session files from all three recording experiences
Dedicated conductor-camera footage
Tuition: $3,750
AUDITORS
Limited to a maximum of 10 Auditors
Auditors are invited to participate in classes, discussions, demonstrations, and guest sessions throughout The Intensive, providing access to the educational experience without individual conducting podium time or personal recording sessions.
Tuition: $600
MORE THAN THE RECORDING SESSIONS
Throughout The Intensive, Fellows will work in an intimate environment designed to encourage experimentation, refinement, and meaningful individual attention.
Areas of study will include:
Conducting technique and podium communication
Composition
Orchestration
Body movement and physical communication
Score and part preparation
Hybrid scoring and recording
Songwriting
Working effectively with professional musicians
Recording-session preparation and workflow
Professional communication and collaboration
All conducting sessions will be recorded for participant review.
Throughout the program, Fellows will learn alongside LAFCI faculty and invited industry professionals working across composition, orchestration, conducting, music preparation, recording, songwriting, and the broader entertainment industry.
Guest artists and industry professionals will be announced as availability is confirmed.
The online preparatory day, held approximately one month before the Los Angeles program, will provide an opportunity for program preparation, discussion, and additional sessions with LAFCI faculty and invited industry professionals. The date and complete schedule will be provided to accepted participants.
The emphasis throughout The Intensive is learning through doing. Fellows will write, prepare, rehearse, conduct, record, evaluate, and collaborate across multiple professional recording environments—developing skills and perspectives that can be carried directly into their continuing creative and professional work.
Admission to The Intensive is competitive and based primarily on the quality of submitted materials. Applicants should submit work that best represents their current compositional abilities.
To apply, please submit:
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One mock-up or recording of an original composition that best represents your work. Vocal and instrumental works are both accepted.
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A current CV outlining your musical education and professional experience.
While not required, a notated score of the submitted composition is strongly encouraged. Applications submitted without a notated score will receive full consideration.
For guidance on professional score presentation, applicants may consult the LAFCI Part/Score Formatting Recommendations available in the Resource Center.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 16, 2026
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Pre-Workshop (Zoom Session)
Day 1
Spotting Session
Composing for TV
Score & Part Preparation
Orchestrating Hybrid vs. Full Orchestra
Sample Libraries Panel
In-Person Intensive Schedule
Day 2
Welcome Reception
Community-building and introductions
Informal discussion on week overview and goals
Day 3
Hybrid Recording Day
Hybrid Score Recording Session
Each composer records and observes
Day 4
Morning Sessions
Score and Part Reviews
Conducting Basics
Conducting to Picture
Afternoon Sessions
Fellows Work Time (2 per room)
American Society of Cinematographers Tour
Evening Guest Speaker
Day 5
Morning Sessions
Songwriting with Maroon 5's Jesse Carmichael
Group Breakouts
Afternoon Sessions
1-Hour Final Adjustments
Songwriting Recording Session
Day 6
Morning Sessions
Piano Conducting Session (Star Wars excerpt)
Afternoon Sessions
String Quintet Session (Composer Pieces)
EveningGuest Speaker
Day 7
Morning Sessions
Faculty Q&A
Afternoon Sessions
Full Orchestra Recording Session with the Hollywood Studio Symphony
WORKSHOP REPERTOIRE
Planned repertoire includes:
Live-to-picture cue from Empire — Fil Eisler
Live-to-picture cue from Matilda — David Newman
Selections from Star Wars Suite for Orchestra — John Williams
Each Fellow's original composition
Repertoire is subject to change.
THE LAFCI EXPERIENCE
The Intensive is intentionally small.
With no more than 14 Fellows, the emphasis remains on meaningful individual attention, professional standards, artistic growth, and the opportunity to learn through direct experience. For ten years, LAFCI has created opportunities for musicians from around the world to come together in Los Angeles to study, experiment, collaborate, record, and continue developing their craft. The Intensive 2027 continues that tradition while expanding the experience to reflect the versatility demanded of today's media composer.
Seven days. Three recording experiences. One intensive professional development experience in Los Angeles.