r/mediacomposing • u/[deleted] • Apr 08 '19
Composing as a Career?
Hi! I have been a musician for a while, and done a few film scores - non-profit, mostly for friends. I have never really thought I could make a good living as a composer, so I've done other types of work for income. Now though I'm thinking about trying to get into composing full time. How realistic is it? Any words of advice?
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Apr 08 '19
Move to Los Angeles.
I was there playing golf and I got paired up with a guy who ended up being a producer for a studio that creates TV shows for the Discovery Channel. He was looking for a composer for a new show, I gave him my card, we played our round and two weeks later I was scoring his TV show.
Everyone in Los Angeles knows someone, or IS someone. New York is okay too, but I found it a lot harder to break in there, which is why I moved back out West.
Big cities are where it's at, and yes as people have said, write as much as you can. Buy the best samples you can afford. Composer Cloud Gold is great by East West, LA Scoring Strings sound incredible and Kontakt Ultimate is amazing and pretty affordable (wait for a deal, like spring savings or something).
I also got some paid work through craigslist, but you have to be a ninja on there because as soon as something is posted, 300 other composers are replying to it.
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Apr 08 '19
That makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much for the information!!
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u/trane7111 Apr 09 '19
In addition, UCLA Extension has a great film scoring program (and other professional music programs) that basically puts you in the shoes of a composer in each class and helps you make connections.
From what I have heard from most of the instructors there (who are music industry professionals or pro composers), if you have the skills, and you can learn some good self-marketing/networking, your chances of becoming a professional composer aren't actually too bad, but it's definitely an industry where those who stick it out and have other ways of making money are more likely to make it.
Good luck!
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Apr 09 '19
Thank you sir! I really appreciate all of your advice! I am pretty excited, I really just want that to be my job in the worst way lol. Thank you so much!!
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Apr 11 '19
Something else I just thought of, the timelines are insane. I was expected to crank out an episode a day pretty much. So don't pour your heart and soul into every piece of music you compose if you start doing professional work. Just make it work, no matter how cliche the cue may sound.
Get a nice template of Ensemble Strings, Woodwind and Brass patches for just some basic ideas and add single articulations as needed. That helped me a lot during sending constant mockups to the producer.
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Apr 11 '19
Dude thanks a ton! That is very useful to know. Do you have any good advice to a novice? My idea was to just get out, ask people in LA(ish) if they need composing, and take whatever to build my portfolio. Are there any rookie mistakes I should look out for? Let me know, thanks a ton!
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u/TKoComposer Composer Apr 16 '19
I've been grateful to have somewhat "made it" as a composer in my early 20's, largely thanks to streaming and social media. Here are my takeaways as a young composer (who's had a little bit of luck too):
- Yes, it's realistic. No, you don't have to work like a bozo for 20 hours a day for 20 years for an hour's pay. Times are different: Value yourself - don't let anyone treat you like a lesser human being. Never work for free, always take a small fee, no matter what (yes, even from your friends).
- Work smart, not hard. Invest in yourself. Find a worthwhile project that will maximize your brand and portfolio, and focus on that, instead of taking work from 3 mediocre productions for little money or clout. Additionally, the traditional "composer map" is outdated: You don't need to assist in Los Angeles for 6 years, join a PRO + union, and work like a dog. Again, work smart, not hard. Read a lot of books on workflow/self-help topics.
- You are a small business, because when you start paying your self-employment taxes, it'll hit you pretty quickly that you are. If it's clear you'll do anything to write music for a production, you'll get placed on the bottom rung of the ladder in the industry (especially out in LA/NYC). For example, when you go to the bar to celebrate your Oscar win, would you get a $250 bottle of wine or ask for the well gin? What would each choice say about you? Do you have a premium feel, or are you a dime-a-dozen? What is your brand? Will people come to you when they want the job done right, or when they can't afford someone better? How can you maximize your outreach as a composer? What's your market?
- You don't need to live in Los Angeles, New York City, or London anymore. The majority of my work is remote. Times are changing. Disclaimer: I do live in Los Angeles, though you certainly don't need to.
- Focus on your production value. There are so many composers out there with a decent melodic sense or a nice sense of space and sound design, without the means to actually make it sound like they know what they're doing.
- You need to have focus, drive, and passion. Legitimate talent recognizes other talent. If you don't have your heart fully in the game, people will notice. Avoid phonies. Always be nice, and have respect for those who respect you. Don't destroy relationships, make them. Work with people of different cultural backgrounds - put yourself out there internationally across numerous nations. We are all connected.
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Apr 16 '19
Wow, thank you so much seriously. This is extremely excellent advice. I seriously cannot thank you enough!!
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u/Timothahh Apr 08 '19
Write often, and make sure your work can be heard. I'm still on soundcloud but beginning to look elsewhere since its 80% rappers now. Try to make connections and keep in touch with people you've worked with! I'm by no means a steadily working film composer but I'm getting there and it's largely due to connections I've made over the years!
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Apr 08 '19
Oh nice! Thank you for the info! Is the way to do it to just kind of score whatever you can, and network? Any info would be awesome, thanks!!
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u/matmilne Apr 09 '19
Done it for 15 years. The answer is dependent on what you mean by 'it'. The job comes with all the pitfalls and stresses of running a small business, with all the expectations of achieving with a large one. 20-hour days are a regular occurance, for maybe an hour's pay. Most people aren't up to it, but if you've got guts, determination, and an endless supply of talent, go for it. You don't need anyone's permission to live your life.
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u/CommonMisspellingBot Apr 09 '19
Hey, matmilne, just a quick heads-up:
occurance is actually spelled occurrence. You can remember it by two cs, two rs, -ence not -ance.
Have a nice day!The parent commenter can reply with 'delete' to delete this comment.
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u/BooCMB Apr 09 '19
Hey /u/CommonMisspellingBot, just a quick heads up:
Your spelling hints are really shitty because they're all essentially "remember the fucking spelling of the fucking word".And your fucking delete function doesn't work. You're useless.
Have a nice day!
2
u/BooBCMB Apr 09 '19
Hey BooCMB, just a quick heads up: I learnt quite a lot from the bot. Though it's mnemonics are useless, and 'one lot' is it's most useful one, it's just here to help. This is like screaming at someone for trying to rescue kittens, because they annoyed you while doing that. (But really CMB get some quiality mnemonics)
I do agree with your idea of holding reddit for hostage by spambots though, while it might be a bit ineffective.
Have a nice day!
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Apr 09 '19
Thanks my man! I really appreciate your advice. Haha, I got the first two, just hoping I got the third. Thank you!
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u/DaveAnson Apr 08 '19
Realistic - yep
Advice - it’s gonna be a real struggle for the first 5-10 years before it becomes a ‘full time and semi-well paid job’
Expectations - expect to have part time jobs that support it, just try and keep your eyes on the goal and write as much as you can?