I’m a classical trained composer going through a transition to the world of visual media composing and I want to thank you a lot because I’ve watched tons of your videos and they are just so helpful. I admire you and thank you.
For historical purposes: Back in the 1970s and early 80s, music prep was a good way to get into the business. My wonderful high school music teacher, Paul Lipa at Southfield (MI) high school, was incredibly supportive, giving me the opportunity to compose works for the orchestra, and my first paying gig was to arrange for the marching band, giving me some rudimentary arranging and music prep chops. This led to starting my own business and expanding into a number of services: copying and transcription, especially making lead sheets for songwriters that gave me connections to arrange and produce recordings, then basic engineering, to eventually Pro Tools. I moved to Los Angeles and made every conceivable connection an aspiring film composer could ask for BUT, significantly, I apparently lacked the drive and perhaps the personality needed to succeed in that business. I got music degrees and eventually settled for a music-centric position at a university and retired with a pension. I still make music every day as a hobby, but the only steady stream -- really a trickle -- is royalties from a choral music composition that has sold pretty well to choirs around the world. This channel makes me re-live the dreams I had of getting "rich and famous" lol -- a glance at an alternate former self -- and I thank you for being such an inspiration on that level!
Thank you for this video. Usually people make videos about one particular "how to make money from this". But this video was a helpful overall outlook at composer income sources.
Thank you for this video, Anne-Kathrin. I hope to be a full-time composer in 5 years. (I hope to phase out my restaurant-pianist job; my current bread and butter.)
Very both interesting and useful video. I don't think there are many composers out there with just one string to their bow. Thanks a lot for sharing and all the best!
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Also is quite entertaining and delightful, I rather rewatch your videos than spend my time on Neflix. Personally I enjoy when you share your memories working in Cinesamples, kind of a "behind the scenes" when making sample libraries.
"Machete Stocks" have worked wonders for me. I usually carry at least one - sometimes two - to compensation/legal meetings. I feel that gently tapping said machete during negotiations usually yields positive gains on my part... but honestly, I really look the part... so you're mileage may vary.
Brilliant video! I can relate to this, sometimes almost all my income is from session work, I often supplement with teaching, assisting other composers and doing composing related webinars like the one we did ☺️ I’ve done some music editing too! Another wonderful video showing the true reality of life as a composer 🙌
This was a very honest video; I love the advice about the stocks because essentially you can't trust an organization to "shepherd" your $$$ because you may get a (🚫 so nice) surprise 🤔🤔🤔... when you need it most!!
I was wondering if you could sometime make a video dealing specifically with working with music libraries. Sort of the ins and outs if someone has never worked with one before. Like what are the industry standard fees for what you give them, which are the reputable ones, strategies to make the most $$ working with them, etc.... That's my request. Love the channel!
So if I compose tracks outside a contract in my own time, is it best to compile them and release an album or put them on youtube and monetise or just keep them and license them later to a buyer?
You could do all of it. Release it as an album, have whatever distribution service you're using put it on all digital platforms (including UA-cam) and then license tracks if people request them. The only thing you then can't do is put them into an exclusive music library later because they would want to be the only ones licensing your tracks.
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Thank you. I will keep working on it. I hope to create some passive income from music some day. One of the things I am curious about is industry albums. I don't know if that's even an option for an amateur. From what I understand they are only for media execs and not available publically which means I got no clue how to make one. It sounds like it is an insider thing so not an option for anyone who has not already worked in the industry.
Hello Anne thank you for your down to earth and honest video. Could you tell us a little bit about your team of composers and if it is possible to apply for a composer position as part of your team ? I would love to be a part of your team but have no idea how to go about it. Would appreciate if you could point me in the right direction :-) Many Thanks Alistair
Imagine if we lived in a society that valued their artists and musicians. Imagine if we didn't have to beg for money. Imagine all the artists beyond some stupid job when they should be working at their craft. Imagine all the artists and musicians who never become Masters because they have to work some stupid job just to eat. Imagine all the wonderful music that we don't have and will never hear because of this. It gives me a strange cross between sadness and rage.
It's always been that way though. The arts have always been something reserved for just very few people. If anything it used to be even more restrictive than it is now. Artists used to either have to be wealthy from birth or they needed someone to fund their lives for them - usually the church, or nobles, or other wealthy donors. In Western culture they also had to be white and male for the most part. Access has always been a problem. If anything, we now live in times where there's at least a little bit more equity, even though we still have a long way to go.
Hello. I loved the video and I feel like it was the right time for me to see that ! Btw, Im an aspiring film composer student at Burbank. I was just curious to ask, is there any way I could visit your studio and experience what it feels like ?
Sure thing! It's either someone a composer has full-time on the premises or someone who is hired in to do any kind of tech work. This can be upgrading and servicing computers, software, doing wiring, servicing the console, working on templates, fixing any tech that is broken... just basically keeping the tech side of the studio running.
Hi Anne. Amazing video! Some of these ways I wasn't even aware of. However, so many of these aren't even applicable where I am living right now - India. Could you tell me something or direct me towards resources that will help me find work in my country?
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer I especially liked the last tip as my wife and I have just started to learn about investing (learned bout ETFs on Saturday from a friend)
Hahaha, I've had to neglect my channel for a few weeks due to work and have been hovering in the 19k range for a while. It's fine, I still have 0 ambitions with this channel. :-)
I received my first copyright for my music when I was in high school 🏫 Some Los Angeles companies wanted to make a deal with me. 😃 I rejected them. Years later, I found out that they were trying to rip me off! 😡 You have good advice! 👍
Thanks for sharing🙏🏻 May I ask I’m just curious, how did you move to LA as a musician? What kind of visa needed for musicians interested in moving there? Thanks
The most interesting answer is missing.. "nobody" is interested how the movie/Tv production is paying you upfront or not, but how to GET those film/TV/Game what ever jobs. Normal you know some one that knows etc. system.. or is there ways t get hired throughout librarymusic or… ..there is a need for songwriters/lyricist at music theater ? where? inner circle people knows some one again, or.. way’s to get involved??
The one time I was offered a film composing gig the upfront fee was negative £3000. As well as paying that money to the production company I was asked to fork over more than half of the publishing (legal maximum was 50%) in a complicated deal. That was my one brush with fame apart from a shakuhachi session I did for Hans Zimmer which he dropped from the mix. Ah yes it's a tough business:)
I’m a classical trained composer going through a transition to the world of visual media composing and I want to thank you a lot because I’ve watched tons of your videos and they are just so helpful. I admire you and thank you.
Wow, thank you! I'm so glad my content is helping you!
For historical purposes: Back in the 1970s and early 80s, music prep was a good way to get into the business. My wonderful high school music teacher, Paul Lipa at Southfield (MI) high school, was incredibly supportive, giving me the opportunity to compose works for the orchestra, and my first paying gig was to arrange for the marching band, giving me some rudimentary arranging and music prep chops. This led to starting my own business and expanding into a number of services: copying and transcription, especially making lead sheets for songwriters that gave me connections to arrange and produce recordings, then basic engineering, to eventually Pro Tools. I moved to Los Angeles and made every conceivable connection an aspiring film composer could ask for BUT, significantly, I apparently lacked the drive and perhaps the personality needed to succeed in that business. I got music degrees and eventually settled for a music-centric position at a university and retired with a pension. I still make music every day as a hobby, but the only steady stream -- really a trickle -- is royalties from a choral music composition that has sold pretty well to choirs around the world. This channel makes me re-live the dreams I had of getting "rich and famous" lol -- a glance at an alternate former self -- and I thank you for being such an inspiration on that level!
Just would like to say that with internet, everything is possible now if you wish to give it a try again.
@@JusTVIDSE Indeed, I’ve been thinking (and doing a bit) about it! Much appreciated.
Fam ,this is way too long🥴🥴
Thank you for this video. Usually people make videos about one particular "how to make money from this". But this video was a helpful overall outlook at composer income sources.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this video, Anne-Kathrin. I hope to be a full-time composer in 5 years. (I hope to phase out my restaurant-pianist job; my current bread and butter.)
Danke!
Very both interesting and useful video. I don't think there are many composers out there with just one string to their bow.
Thanks a lot for sharing and all the best!
Thank you for watching!
Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Thank you very much, your videos are so informative and in depth, love your content.
So glad my content is helpful!
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Also is quite entertaining and delightful, I rather rewatch your videos than spend my time on Neflix. Personally I enjoy when you share your memories working in Cinesamples, kind of a "behind the scenes" when making sample libraries.
Great list here for composers, Anne-Kathrin!
Thanks for your suggestions, big fan of your channel and work!
"Machete Stocks" have worked wonders for me. I usually carry at least one - sometimes two - to compensation/legal meetings. I feel that gently tapping said machete during negotiations usually yields positive gains on my part... but honestly, I really look the part... so you're mileage may vary.
Great video! I might add conducting music as another gig. Studio or live conductors.
True, that's another one!
Brilliant video! I can relate to this, sometimes almost all my income is from session work, I often supplement with teaching, assisting other composers and doing composing related webinars like the one we did ☺️ I’ve done some music editing too! Another wonderful video showing the true reality of life as a composer 🙌
Thank you for the video. It’s a comment to support your channel. Keep on doing a good content :))
I recommend M1 for long-term investing. Set it and forget!
Simply put, this Irish lass rocks! Well done!!
This is video that I really need
Thank you so much
Glad I could help!
Thank you this is very helpful!
Thanks for sharing! I learn a lot with you! This channel is awesome 🤩 🎹🎶
Happy to hear that!
Hey! Love your content as always! Did you get a new camera? I see a new view, lighting, and camera? Looks so great!
This was a very honest video; I love the advice about the stocks because essentially you can't trust an organization to "shepherd" your $$$ because you may get a (🚫 so nice) surprise 🤔🤔🤔... when you need it most!!
If I were Rich I would have really given you so much of what I have! Great job daughter and keep it up!
I was wondering if you could sometime make a video dealing specifically with working with music libraries. Sort of the ins and outs if someone has never worked with one before. Like what are the industry standard fees for what you give them, which are the reputable ones, strategies to make the most $$ working with them, etc.... That's my request. Love the channel!
Very helpful video and inspiring as well!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this great video!
Great video!, thanks for sharing
This is a really concise and helpful summary
Very informative video! Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
When you started to create music have you worked for the music libraries first,Anne- Kathrin?
So if I compose tracks outside a contract in my own time, is it best to compile them and release an album or put them on youtube and monetise or just keep them and license them later to a buyer?
You could do all of it. Release it as an album, have whatever distribution service you're using put it on all digital platforms (including UA-cam) and then license tracks if people request them. The only thing you then can't do is put them into an exclusive music library later because they would want to be the only ones licensing your tracks.
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Thank you. I will keep working on it. I hope to create some passive income from music some day. One of the things I am curious about is industry albums. I don't know if that's even an option for an amateur. From what I understand they are only for media execs and not available publically which means I got no clue how to make one. It sounds like it is an insider thing so not an option for anyone who has not already worked in the industry.
Hello Anne thank you for your down to earth and honest video. Could you tell us a little bit about your team of composers and if it is possible to apply for a composer position as part of your team ? I would love to be a part of your team but have no idea how to go about it. Would appreciate if you could point me in the right direction :-) Many Thanks Alistair
Your video is super informative! Thanks a lot :-)
So happy to hear that!
I love your advice. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Imagine if we lived in a society that valued their artists and musicians. Imagine if we didn't have to beg for money. Imagine all the artists beyond some stupid job when they should be working at their craft. Imagine all the artists and musicians who never become Masters because they have to work some stupid job just to eat. Imagine all the wonderful music that we don't have and will never hear because of this. It gives me a strange cross between sadness and rage.
It's always been that way though. The arts have always been something reserved for just very few people. If anything it used to be even more restrictive than it is now. Artists used to either have to be wealthy from birth or they needed someone to fund their lives for them - usually the church, or nobles, or other wealthy donors. In Western culture they also had to be white and male for the most part. Access has always been a problem. If anything, we now live in times where there's at least a little bit more equity, even though we still have a long way to go.
Helpful advice - no doubt!!
Glad to hear it!
And then of course... How do you find these gigs? :)
I'd say that very much depends on your location most of the time and who you know personally... or rather who knows you personally and professionally.
Networking.
Hello. I loved the video and I feel like it was the right time for me to see that !
Btw, Im an aspiring film composer student at Burbank. I was just curious to ask, is there any way I could visit your studio and experience what it feels like ?
Thanks for the video! would you elaborate more on what is Music Tech? Thanks!
Sure thing! It's either someone a composer has full-time on the premises or someone who is hired in to do any kind of tech work. This can be upgrading and servicing computers, software, doing wiring, servicing the console, working on templates, fixing any tech that is broken... just basically keeping the tech side of the studio running.
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer Thank you!
Hi Anne. Amazing video! Some of these ways I wasn't even aware of. However, so many of these aren't even applicable where I am living right now - India. Could you tell me something or direct me towards resources that will help me find work in my country?
When are you getting your presence of love poster? :D
Thanks for this informative video :D
Glad it was helpful!
@@AnneKathrinDernComposer I especially liked the last tip as my wife and I have just started to learn about investing (learned bout ETFs on Saturday from a friend)
I think I have more baskets than eggs...
Thanks Anne, and don't look behind : 20K incoming.
Hahaha, I've had to neglect my channel for a few weeks due to work and have been hovering in the 19k range for a while. It's fine, I still have 0 ambitions with this channel. :-)
Thanks sis your video so helpful.
My pleasure 😊
Hi, thank you very much for the video! Which are the libraries where I can upload music and receive money from the libraries? Cheers
I received my first copyright for my music when I was in high school 🏫
Some Los Angeles companies wanted to make a deal with me. 😃 I rejected them.
Years later, I found out that they were trying to rip me off! 😡
You have good advice! 👍
Thanks for sharing🙏🏻 May I ask I’m just curious, how did you move to LA as a musician? What kind of visa needed for musicians interested in moving there? Thanks
Looks like you upped your production value a bit! Can I ask what camera you are using?
The most interesting answer is missing.. "nobody" is interested how the movie/Tv production is paying you upfront or not, but how to GET those film/TV/Game what ever jobs. Normal you know some one that knows etc. system.. or is there ways t get hired throughout librarymusic or…
..there is a need for songwriters/lyricist at music theater ? where? inner circle people knows some one again, or.. way’s to get involved??
How about the recent fad of NFTs, can there be music NFTs or you're not into that sort of thing.
Hello Anne some valuable advice there from such a young lady ,,keep up the great work composing ,, and you look fantastic btw. Best regards Phil 👍
The one time I was offered a film composing gig the upfront fee was negative £3000. As well as paying that money to the production company I was asked to fork over more than half of the publishing (legal maximum was 50%) in a complicated deal. That was my one brush with fame apart from a shakuhachi session I did for Hans Zimmer which he dropped from the mix. Ah yes it's a tough business:)