How are musical scores written to synchronize to films?

Question

The musical scores to movies synchronized to films perfectly! What are the processes involved in how this works so flawlessly? Is the music written after the final composition of the movie? If not, is a shorter version of a score rerecorded if the movie is, for example, shortened?

Thanks,

Derek

Answer 1

The composer watches the cut of the film then composes the score which is done in a studio with an orchestra while the film is being played back. This is the final cut of the film so that the integrity of the score is complete. Then it's add to the soundtrack and what you hear is the end result.

Answer 2

Generally, the fine edit or final edit is presented to the composer with a time stamp visible.  The composer views the film and composes the music to key scenes using the length of the scene and the time stamp as "markers".  The sheet music is written timed to the length of the scene and the film with visible time stamp is generally playing (without audio, naturally) in the recording studio for the composer to keep track as he either plays or conducts the music that is being recorded.

Answer 3

they actually record the score while syncing it with the film at the same time via a giant movie screen in the band hall.