How To Make A Living Composing For Media FULL TIME!
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- Опубліковано 16 січ 2024
- Composing for film, tv and games was not always my full time gig. However, there are specific actions I took over 10 years ago to make it so that everyday I get to wake up and write music on increasingly exciting projects. This video is meant to help aspiring composers learn how I did that and give you actionable steps you can take to make composing full time a reality.
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Chapters:
01:57 - Go Where The Money Is
04:14 - Balancing Personal Projects With Assisting Gigs
06:31 - Diversifying Your Skills
08:00 - Be A Problem Solver
10:50 - Solving The Location Problem
11:37 - Ask Yourself These Questions
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#filmcomposer #composer #filmscore
Dude, not only is the knowledge you drop in these videos absolute gold, the production value of the videos themselves is top notch! I'm just waiting for this channel to blow up! Thanks for all you do and congrats on what you've achieved in your career thus far. Wishing you the best, and a future of continual success!
Really appreciate it Brandon 🤘
The most articulate explanation on this subject. a clear, clean, common sense reality check. Bravo... You've worked hard to have your chops and you've earned each reward. You're a light to those who are walking into the room blindfolded. thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you very much for these videos. Please keep them coming, they are amazing and very valuable. I'm saving money to buy your course. Thank you for your time and effort🤘
My pleasure - hoping to do more as soon as my current projects wrap up
Great insightful tips!
I've spent the last hour watching your videos, I am glad I found your channel.
Thank you for your content!
Hi Jonas! Always appreciate your perspective & experience in the industry as a guiding point for those of us in the earlier stages of our careers. I've been struggling for almost 10 years to work as an assistant in the LA area. I've been rejected and/or let go by numerous studios either after being tried out or auditioned in those settings. I have unique skills and abilities in not only composition, but as an instrumentalist - jazz/classical trumpet & piano, arranger, transcription, etc, but earlier in my career, struggled with audio editing & music production. Since then my production chops are a whole lot better and my music sounds as professional as I can make it with the tools I have, but now I can't find opportunities and feel like I'm not getting anywhere. I'll continue based off of your suggestions however and try to reach out to bigger opportunities / open doors as well as expand my skills, though it lately has been disheartening. I want to thank you for making this video since it's restored my faith and inspired me to keep going. If you have any pointers on where to look, it would mean a lot! Thanks again for all that you do in the UA-cam space!
@thomasj.peters6726 - It's my pleasure! I understand your struggle and the truth is that this is a reality for many composers (hence why I made this channel / Modern Scoring Mastery). Many of the most successful composer's I've worked with have a similar story to be honest. One of them told me how they moved out to LA and scored a Christmas film and then didn't get another gig for 8+ years. They had become a sound designer and then suddenly a chance meeting with a more successful composer (who they went on to assist) changed the course of everything for them.
If you're getting let go from multiple studios or not getting multiple opportunities, it's really important to understand why. In a productive way, be critical and analytical of yourself as a professional in this field. What are you missing that is leading to this outcome? I'm not saying this is the case for you, but I've found in my experience MANY composers get replaced because of their attitude and work ethic before it's for their skillset. Skills in many cases can be learned and improved upon, but attitude and work ethic is more often than not baked in deeper. This is why I mention how important it is to be a hyper-focused problem solver.
I'm glad to hear this video has been helpful, just remember there's no race to being able to do this work. People find their way at many different points. If you love the work keep going and I hope implementing some of these lessons will be helpful on your journey!
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond Jonas! It means a lot! Everything you said is super insightful and I will definitely apply it to every aspect of my own career and job opportunities. Also what you've created & shared on your channel has been a lifechanging find for me and it's helping to provide tools / valuable lessons for any upcoming composers / musicians who feel stuck or are looking for guidance and mentorship. Means the world that you took time to personally respond to this message. Thank you again and I'll take this all to heart :) @@jonasfriedman
Great man from watching from Palestine
Love this video!!! The details you've provided here, into the world of composing as an industry and career path. Its crazy to hear that you were working/writing for other composers. That seems like such a huge stepping stone/goal to me to even reach that. Let alone, to eventually, be a self-contained composer on my own. And I love how you related it to having a diversified skillset. It's almost like those skills not only enabled you to get hired by other composers, but also, probably, allows you to have a certain level of confidence in yourself to know that you can be an MD all by yourself and take on gigs/roles as a lead composer.
Appreciate it! Yes all those skills to help build confidence and the capability of being an MD
Thank you Jonas for sharing the information that can help many composers around the world!
My pleasure!
Ridiculously practical, down-to-earth, and so freakin' informative. Thank you thank you!
It’s my pleasure! Happy to know it’s helpful🤘
Great advice, as always. Thank you so much for sharing!
My pleasure
This might be the fastest 14 minutes video I've experienced! Great tips and I really enjoyed the background music. Thanks alot"! :)
Happy to know it’s helpful
Great video Jonas, thank you!
Glad you liked it!
that "problem solving" concept.....I needed that...thanks buddy.
My pleasure - always happy to know it’s helpful
Love this video, there's actually real world advice here. The "be a problem solver" is advice that's worth it's weight in gold!
Appreciate it @DanielBastionMusic !
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Wow, SO FREAKIN INFORMATIVE. I'm binge watching at my day job, LOL! Thank you for the knowledge and looking forward to learning even more as I go thru your videos. Thank YOU!!!
awesome! happy to know it's all helpful
Lol. Ditto.
The moment you said "Go Where The Money Goes" I knew you were for real, cause that is the BIGGEST piece of advice I'd always give students, can't pay bills with your passion, you need money from services provided by your passion. What do you want to do? Okay go where the money is for that thing and 2nd is Learn The Software that is most commonly used in whatever niche of the audio world you want to work in, doesn't have to be your go-to or choice but you gotta speak the language. Everything you said is spot on advice from anyone that actually works on a professional level. Words to live by 'Become an irreplaceable asset'.
Really appreciate this comment - happy to hear my approach resonates
production value is 🔥
Appreciate it 🤘
Great video as always man! Your channel reminds me a bit of Venus Theory as far as production quality goes. Like a Netflix show on UA-cam!
Love Venus theory so appreciate the compliment! Thanks so much
Love it!
Appreciate it
While your videos on music production/composition have been so helpful, videos like these are invaluable! it's really refreshing to get a take from someone who's actually in the business.
Thanks @Nathan.Rodrigues, happy to hear it’s helpful!
Nice video (as always), I like the pragmatic approach. At the moment I'm in that phase where I wish to work into a real life project or better to assist a composer to get better level or knowledge growing my composer carreer (what I wish would be my evolution carreer as a musician)
It’s a slow moving career for everyone I have ever met, so if you’re passionate about it keep at it!
The advice here is so ACTIONABLE! Thanks for sharing, Jonas!
I’m curious what you think about the work life balance at this stage of your career. Has that changed over time as you grew into new roles?
Work life balance early in my career did not exist - I worked literally all day 7 days a week.
Now my income and my royalties have given me the ability to pass on projects so I don’t need to over extend myself if I chose I don’t want to for a certain period. I still work a lot, but the truth is that because I am interested in and enjoy lots of different projects. - but I don’t have to do it which feels very different than just five years ago. Also important to note that sometimes shit happens - a project comes in late and over laps with another so I have to just grind hard for a few months, but that’s now the exception throughout the year instead of the rule.
@@jonasfriedman thank you, that's very insightful -- early on in my career myself and appreciate the work ethic you describe that lead to your current position. warm regards!
Thanks Jonas, I'm quite impressed (and a bit jealous) that you've worked with Mark Snow, he's in my top 3 of my favourite composers. I'd love to find opportunities to work alongside another composer but unless it's something that can be done remotely, there aren't that many opportunities in my local area. Besides at my age, I'm not sure that's necessarily the right step to begin but again I would love the opportunity.
I learned a ton from Mark. There are more positions happening remotely as I mentioned in the video.
Regarding age, I’m not sure how old you are but JXL I believe was in his forties when he began working under hans zimmer - so I don’t believe there’s ever a wrong time although I absolutely appreciate how life becomes more complicated as we all get older. All the best!
So, what problems can I solve for you? 😊 Great video, thanks as always for sharing your knowledge!
Hi Jonas! Thanks for this really great video. I find this to be invaluable. I am looking to transition into music composition in media. I am in the process of developing my skillset within the realm of composition, virtual orchestration, and production. That said, I was wondering if you recommend having a portfolio is absolutely essential and if so, what should be included in a portfolio of works? Thanks!
@JasonSeymore - Happy to know that you've found the information helpful. To answer your questions, yes, having a portfolio of music is absolutely essential. Having a portfolio of score-to-picture is actually less necessary. This is because when pitching for projects people are just reviewing the music.
The music you include in your portfolio should be tailored to the opportunity. So for example, don't send a full animated style, orchestral track to a director, producer or other composer, that's looking for very serious, minimal dramatic score. This is why it takes time to build a career, it takes time to build a portfolio of great music that can be used to pitch for various opportunities in different genres. One of the best pieces of advice I've received though was don't try and give meat to a vegetarian. If they're looking for a certain sound, just demonstrate that sound, and if you don't have it...try and create it for the pitch!
Thanks for the very informative video. I was wondering what you thought about working remotely as a composer. How far could one go working remotely? Are there many circumstances in which a composer needs to show up to a certain physical location to work with others or does it mostly get done online?
In my opinion, this topic would make a really interesting video
Thanks
This is a great question that requires a more nuanced response, here’s a quick one in the meantime..you can do this job from anywhere but I personally believe spending time in the central hub (LA) is still very beneficial when building a career. I spent 5 years there - I now work from New England and have been busier than ever, but I don’t believe that would be the case had I not made connections by going to where people in the industry hang out most commonly.
If you are working from a more remote location as I am now…it’s important to show up when it matters. Big producer / director meeting where people will be together in person? Fly out … scoring session? Fly out… you want to still get FaceTime but it’s less demanding than it used to be by A LOT in my experience and opinion.
Games are a totally different beast and you can be anywhere in my experience, they’re very accustomed to having people on their teams from all over the globe
Great content as always Jonas. So I had tried to get assistant work and did work for someone for like 4 weeks but it didn’t really fit. I’m much older than the majority of assistants and have a small child at home, so it was too much. I’d love to hear if you have any other thoughts on pursuing this career in other ways. I think doing additional music for people may work if I can do from home, but doesn’t seem like that happens unless you first do the regular assistant type work for years.
Assisting other composers is definitely not the the only way and it’s important to note 99% of my work was as additional music - not a traditional assistant route. I was able to work from my own studio for most of my collaborations other than JXL who sometimes I worked from his studio - other times my own. If going this route it’s important to adopt the philosophy that any sounds the composer you work with is using you will add to your arsenal to make your sound palettes similar. This served me well and ended up paying for itself many times over.
This still requires building trust though - getting FaceTime to get to know people in person as much as you can - even if it’s just for lunch - early in a relationship FaceTime matters I think.
Other ways forward I think are to really establish yourself as a music artist with something to offer the community - social media is the best way to do this and in doing so you can attract others to your work rather than always trying to cold email. More videos on this to come
@@jonasfriedman Thanks for the reply.
Great video, you definitely dropped some hard-to-swallow pills here.
Glad you enjoyed it, I do hope you found the information helpful and inspiring!
The side camera angle thing is super annoying. Why do so many content creators do this? It immediately makes me think you're talking to someone else, not me, and takes me out of the zone. Otherwise, great information, but... hard to watch for that reason.
Love this comment because literally a split second before this I was responding to someone complimenting the production. Proves that everyone has their own taste - the side camera allows cuts to be more seemless - I prefer that to jump cuts and while this is an educational channel - the aesthetics are for me an artistic endeavor I enjoy 😊
For me, these side shots look great and make the overall experience smoother. To have the front shot all the time gets boring quickly. Looking great here.
Thank you for this video🫶🏻 I’m loving the angles it looks so professional
Thank you so much!!