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.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED
PRODUCTIVE NETWORKING
Cultivating Strong And Healthy Professional Relationships
By Trinity Velez-Justo
THE DAY-TO-DAY LIFE OF A NEW COMPOSER
Dreams, Reality, And Training
A Q&A with Green Seo
A LOOK BACK AT AN EARLY CAREER START
Making The Most Of Every Opportunity, Then And Now
A Q&A with Sean Beeson
WORKFLOW – AND WHY IT MATTERS TO COMPOSERS
Understanding Where You Fit in The Big Picture
By Ian Anderson, Tim Fritz, and Scott Hallgren
HOW TO WORK WITH THE PICTURE EDITOR
The Relationship and Process Of Editing
A Q&A with Tracy Nichole Cring
CHAPTER 2: STICKING IT OUT
YOU CAN WORK FROM ANYWHERE
Doing Indie Game Music Work - From Chicago
A Q&A with Megan Carnes
YOUR FIRST MAJOR PROJECT
Finishing Your First Feature and Beyond
A Q&A with Carlos Garcia
SELF PROMOTION FOR COMPOSERS
A PR Professional Tells You How To Put Your Best YOU Forward
By Thomas Mikusz
THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC (FOR PICTURE)
Educating Yourself About The Value Of Your Work
A Q&A with Anna Kelberg-Kim, Msq
FINDING YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Telling Musical Stories Through Any Medium
A Q&A with Claire Batchelor
CHAPTER 3: FINDING SUCCESS
A DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Why We Love Original Music So Much
A Q&A with Rick Page
THE VALUE OF MENTORSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS
A Busy TV Composer Talks About Her Journey
A Q&A with Rebecca Kneubuhl
WHY TO JOIN A PERFORMANCE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
An Important Move For Sustaining Your Career
By Erin Collins
OTHER ROLES FOR THE MODERN COMPOSERAdvertising Work, Engineering, and Insights on Success
A Q&A with Jake Fader
EVERYONE SHOULD BE HEARD
Additional Composing and The Composer Diversity Collective
A Q&A with Sandro Morales Santoro
CHAPTER 4: GETTING AHEAD
FINDING YOUR OWN WAY
From Theme Parks To Theaters
A Q&A with Rob Pottorf
A CAREER IN GAME MUSIC
An Industry Veteran Becomes A Leader
A Q&A with Will Roget
WHAT DOES A MUSIC EDITOR DO?
The Music Editor As Composer As Music Editor
A Q&A with Shie Rozow
THE REALITY OF REALITY TV
The Challenges And Rewards at the Top
A Q&A with Mark T. Williams
WHAT AN AGENT IS LOOKING FOR
Beating The Composer Catch-22
A Q&A with Ari Wise
CHAPTER 5: STARTING AGAIN
OTHER ROLES ON THE SOUND TRACK
Ways A Composer Can Sonically Expand In The Industry
A Q&A with Duncan Watt
TEACHING – A POWERFUL WAY TO BRANCH OUT
Success in Multiple Arenas Helps Students and You
A Q&A with Hummie Mann
STAGES (OF A CAREER)
Success Can Be Many Things Over Time
By Mark Watters
EDUCATION, REVOLUTION, AND THE MEANING OF A MODERN MUSICAL FORMATION
How Music Traditions, Educational Reality, And The Internet Are Colliding
By Mark Nowakowski
MOVING INTO PRODUCING AND DIRECTING
How A Composer in Iran Makes This Work
A Q&A with H.R. Nikoofar
Biography
Scott W. Hallgren has an extensive list of works as a composer and musician for film, television, and games, including multiple Emmy-nominated, Telly, Golden CINE, and film festival award winners. He currently is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media Production at Kent State University.
