Though a lot of composers would really welcome feedback on why they didn’t get a job based on their submission, demo and/or meeting, receiving that feedback is fairly rare. Even when using a buffer like an agent to get feedback, it is unusual to get much more than a polite, “We really liked your client and his/her music. It was a tough decision, but we decided to go with someone else.” Here are some reasons why:
1. TIME
It is too time consuming to get back to— yet alone give meaningful input— to every composer, actor, editor, makeup person, costume designer, cinematographer, art director, songwriter, special effects artist, music supervisor, production manager, sound editor, stunt person and all the plethora of other folks who DIDN’T get the job.
2. FOCUS
Once the cast and crew are hired the focus is on working with the team assembled in getting the project made… not on those who weren’t selected for the team.
3. EFFORT
Giving meaningful feedback takes a fair amount of effort. Spread that out over the huge numbers of folks considered for a project, and it a especially huge task.
4. IT ISN’T SCIENTIFIC
Why someone is or isn’t chosen is often cryptic, even to the person making the decision. It is actually hard to understand, yet alone articulate, why someone (and often a group of decision makers) chooses one person over another.
5. TO AVOID AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION
It isn’t fun to tell someone what you don’t like about their work.
6. EXPECTATIONS
It is basically understood, “Don’t call us… we’ll call you.” Like it or not, that is largely how things are.
7. IT ISN’T PERSONAL
To most people considering submissions, listening to music and taking meetings isn’t personal, it’s just part of doing business.
THE EXCEPTIONS
Exceptions do occur:
1. A filmmaker has worked with the composer previously and wants to go a different direction on their next project. Often that does lead to a personal relationship conversation between the two.
2. The filmmakers requested a lot of time and effort of someone to meet/demo, especially if repeatedly.
3. The filmmakers want to keep a potential relationship with someone they may very much want to work with in the future.
4. It is the personal nature of the filmmaker to do so for whatever reasons.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
