Quick thought regarding the Discovery and any other similar situation.
Seems to me that if they want you to sign away your royalties retroactively or they'll...
One of the libraries in the U.S. that I have been supplying for several years has asked me urgently for new music, for 2020. Client is Discovery.
I told him ...
As we continue to discuss the Discovery Channel situation, I think it absolutely vital to keep one thing in mind - this is not a debate about using “quality” vs...
I am joining the discussion about Discovery/royalties. Over the years I have provided music for 50+ of their shows across all their platforms (Animal Planet, Hg...
I just had the most emotional experience of my film composing life, at a screening of a documentary I scored.
The doc tells the story of a woman who had a ye...
I HATE seeing composers ripped off. Hate it. Because I was painfully ripped off. I HATE seeing composers get bad advice or have bad teachers. Because I was give...
There’s been a lot if push back from the industry toward pro-women and ‘me too’ movements. I understand it. Controversies and other issues or just plain fear ma...
My mom passed away this past Tuesday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. I am at peace that she is no longer afflicted with that horrible disease. Of course t...
I see so many career suicides happen because of Facebook. We are a small community, so please value each friendship and connection! Always be sensible, compassi...
Yes, it went by so fast but it was so damn good. Huge thank you and enormous appreciation to Bernard Duc, Thomas Mikusz, Chandler Paul Polig and Spitfire Audio ...
Dear Perspectivites,
On January 4, 2018, I posted a question here about composers and motherhood, to see if there are any composers I know who are also mothe...
I wanted to thank Cole Masaitis with my whole heart for his incredible generosity with his time, terrific help and being a team player on a complicated and intr...
Today I got a call from a *major producer* about a *major project* I'm working on now. He wasn't aware I got hired for it and he started the call by saying : 'J...
Through a filmmaker friend I've been asked to score a feature length horror film. The fee is £150 + 1% of UK sales profits and needs to be done within 4-5 weeks...
How to turn a room into an instrument: a (very informal and DIY) tutorial inspired by Hildur Guðnadóttir's approach for Chernobyl.
Step 1: record room tone.
...
It is the story of how I lost a competition but won the gigs. (And I am stealing Bear’s title because it fits too perfectly.)
This summer I was in Spain (whi...
I don’t know if anyone will find this interesting but I always enjoy reading about other composer’s processes.
Earlier this year I was working on my last two e...
I recently commented here on a post about quitting that on every project I have ever done I have contemplated faking my own death. While it was meant as a joke ...
“Arggh!” I could hear my longtime, longsuffering, assistant, Bijan, cry. “What are they teaching them in schools these days?!” He was proofing the Sibelius work...
I’ve lived in LA for one whole year! Time really flies! In this time, I’ve interned around the film music scene. Here’s what I’ve learned and what I think someo...
Added the drawer today after moving into a new apartment. The desk is actually a solid-core door that I cut shorter by 10in. Legs and drawer supports are galvan...
I've got a short story for you all about something that happened to me today. I'm currently interning for a composer, and I was helping set up lunch for a work ...
Hello everyone and greetings from New Zealand. Richard Kraft’s post on lurking has been turning over in my brain of late and he makes a salient point indeed. Th...
Starting the music composer journey as a percussionist and drummer has definitely shaped the way I approach music and music production. Many times I set aside m...
I was throwing away old paperwork and found this pamphlet from Mark Northam from around 20 years ago. I didn't bother scanning the whole thing but even just the...
In putting together this assistant guidebook (which is almost done!), the most frequent response from composers was that they wished their assistants had come i...
I was at a screening tonight of a short film I scored. Afterwards, two friends of the director came up to chat to me and compliment me on my music. I was totall...
Hi everyone - I wanted to say thank you Miriam Mayer for setting up this truly helpful resource as I just finished a nearly 4-hour orchestral score with help I ...
About the Oscars:
I was moved by Ludwig Goransson's acceptance speech. Not the fact that he won but by what he said: "Who would've thought we'd be standing her...
I promise I'm not trying to bombard you with posts, but watching both of the Fyre Festival documentaries this weekend reminded me of something a college profess...
This is a question I've contemplated for years now, and which I've asked composer colleagues about, be it in person or over discussion boards. I still think abo...
This subject has probably been discussed ad nauseam but it's been on my mind lately. I've always been of the mind that if you don't pay your dues on the way in,...
I've been thinking a lot lately about what PERSPECTIVE means to me and Richard Kraft's recent post encouraged me to share it here. This is a bit long and person...
Over the years, I've noticed patterns in the way successful people and companies operate.
I took those patterns and applied them to the way I build my own ca...
Recently I had a lunch with big film/TV composer. He mentioned that Christopher Young went to sleep some nights in a cemetery, right there on the graves, to get...
I'm building and outfitting a new home studio and have a totally open mind about how to approach this. I would love to see pics of how you have set up your spac...
Hey gang. During my recent whirlwind UK/US book promotion tours I attended a couple of conferences where I got to chat with a LOT of people. I even got to do so...
This probably isn’t going to be what you think it is so please bear with me. I actually LOVE awards and awards shows. Awards celebrate excellence in our respect...
Inspiration favors the quiet mind. Find a place (and or a task) where you can go to clear your thoughts and relax your mind. Go there at the beginning of the da...
I had a REALLY shit experience this year, like had to sue a producer kind of shit who fucked me pretty hard. It happens, and its part of the landscape of our bi...
I have a confession to make. I'm an introvert and would probably never leave the house if I didn't have to. Going to parties and big events takes a lot out of m...
1. Personal recommendations go a long way, but don't guarantee you'll get hired.
Just because someone referred you doesn't mean you're a shoe in. You still h...
Inner Film nerd moment. The missus is out, its me solo with the kids now asleep. I decide to go with the original "Predator" as movie of choice, perhaps egged o...
Composers putting reels together: here's some really useful info you should take into consideration when making your reels.
Analytics data from ReelCrafter s...
When you’re at an SCL event and you see a man and a woman together, who do you assume is the composer? To whom do you direct your conversation?
When you’re a...
It was 2 years ago today that my family and I rolled into LA. I haven't posted much on this forum for quite awhile, but I lurk often, and I'm very grateful for ...
Since I was Miriam Mayer's guest at the Emmy event a couple of nights ago, when I saw her recent post I felt bad so I reached out to see if there was anythi...
I would like to point out something quite astonishing from last night’s John Williams concert (other than the music of course). Steven Spielberg was presenting ...
The tremendous highs of my career are indescribably cool and memorable. And there are many many of those I cherish. But the ugly is in there too. I've had an as...
Hello everyone. This post is meant for young composers applying for assistantship positions!
I want to take you through my process of finding a new ass...
If a client asks you “Can you write country music?”, just say YES and then start listening to country music and learn as you go!
If a repeat client wants you...
