This book is a collection of essays written by and interviews with working composers for film and television, and video games, exploring the business side of composing, addressing the lack of understanding about career development and business responsibilities as they relate to composers.
Over 30 industry professionals, composers, directors, educators and business agents at all levels dispel myths about the industry and provide practical advice on topics such as how to break into the field; how to develop, nurture, and navigate business relationships; and how to do creative work under pressure. Readers will also learn about the entrepreneurial expectations in relation to marketing, strategies for contending with the emotional highs and lows of composing, and money management whilst pursuing a career in composing.
Written for undergraduates and graduates studying composing, sound production, and filmmaking, as well as aspiring composers for film, TV, and games, this book provides readers with a wealth of first-hand information that will help them create their own opportunities and pursue a career in film and television.
Author(s): Scott W. Hallgren
Series: PERFORM: Succeeding as a Creative Professional
Publisher: Routledge/Focal Press
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 227
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED
PRODUCTIVE NETWORKING
Cultivating Strong and Healthy Professional Relationships
THE DAY-TO-DAY LIFE OF A NEW COMPOSER
Dreams, Reality, and Training
A LOOK BACK AT AN EARLY CAREER START
Making the Most of Every Opportunity, Then and Now
WORKFLOW – AND WHY IT MATTERS TO COMPOSERS
Understanding Where You Fit in the Big Picture
HOW TO WORK WITH THE PICTURE EDITOR
The Relationship and Process of Editing
CHAPTER 2: STICKING IT OUT
YOU CAN WORK FROM ANYWHERE
Doing Indie Game Music Work – From Chicago
YOUR FIRST MAJOR PROJECT
Finishing Your First Feature and Beyond
SELF PROMOTION FOR COMPOSERS
A PR Professional Tells You How to Put Your Best YOU Forward
THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC (FOR PICTURE)
Educating Yourself about the Value of Your Work
FINDING YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Telling Musical Stories through Any Medium
CHAPTER 3: FINDING SUCCESS
A DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Why We Love Original Music So Much
THE VALUE OF MENTORSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS
A Busy TV Composer Talks about Her Journey
WHY TO JOIN A PERFORMANCE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
An Important Move for Sustaining Your Career
OTHER ROLES FOR THE MODERN COMPOSER
Advertising Work, Engineering, and Insights on Success
EVERYONE SHOULD BE HEARD
Additional Composing and the Composer Diversity Collective
CHAPTER 4: GETTING AHEAD
FINDING YOUR OWN WAY
From Theme Parks to Theaters
A CAREER IN GAME MUSIC
An Industry Veteran Becomes a Leader
WHAT DOES A MUSIC EDITOR DO?
The Music Editor As Composer As Music Editor
THE REALITY OF REALITY TV
The Challenges and Rewards at the Top
WHAT AN AGENT IS LOOKING FOR
Beating the Composer Catch-22
CHAPTER 5: STARTING AGAIN
OTHER ROLES ON THE SOUND TRACK
Ways a Composer Can Sonically Expand in the Industry
TEACHING – A POWERFUL WAY TO BRANCH OUT
Success in Multiple Arenas Helps Students and You
STAGES (OF A CAREER)
Success Can Be Many Things over Time
EDUCATION, REVOLUTION, AND THE MEANING OF A MODERN MUSICAL FORMATION
How Music Traditions, Educational Reality, and the Internet Are Colliding
MOVING INTO PRODUCING AND DIRECTING
How a Composer in Iran Makes This Work
INDEX
