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You’re Not Ready

By   /   June 28, 2011  /   55 Comments

You’ve been told you’re talented. You just graduated music school. You have your plane ticket. You’re gonna be famous. Not so fast, Johnson.

  • If you don’t like movies, you’re not ready.
  • If fear makes all your decisions for you, you’re not ready.
  • If you can’t bring yourself to consider a location change to where the industry is, you’re not ready.
  • If you dislike having to be flexible, you’re not ready.
  • If you pout when people tell you “no”, you’re not ready.
  • If your friends and family are the only people who have told you you should be in film music, you’re not ready.
  • If you have a hard time making choices, you’re not ready.
  • If you have a large Twitter following, but they’re all composers, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t know how to operate a DAW, you’re not ready.
  • If you think you need an agent, you’re not ready.

If you want to be famous, you’re not ready.

  • If you want to get rich, you’re not ready.
  • If you’ve never A/B’d your music against professionally produced material, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t know how royalties work, you’re not ready.
  • If you illegally download your music or software, you’re not ready.
  • If you have never created a budget for anything in your life, you’re not ready.
  • If you can’t work with a team, you’re not ready.
  • If you can’t handle criticism, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t have a website, you’re not ready.

If you snap under pressure, you’re not ready.

  • If people tend to accuse you of being disorganized, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t know what “counterpoint” is, you’re not ready.
  • If you lack everyday common business skills (i.e. returning correspondence, being punctual, etc.), you’re not ready.
  • If you get paralyzed by fear in networking situations, you’re not ready.
  • If you can’t “sell an idea” to someone behind a desk, you’re not ready.
  • If you never connect emotionally with fictional characters, you’re not ready.
  • If you are “waiting for someone to give you your big break”, you’re not ready.
  • If the acronym “IMDb” is Greek to you, you’re not ready.
  • If you attend meetings in t-shirts or flip-flops, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t understand pacing, you’re not ready.

If you talk more than you listen, you’re not ready.

  • If you don’t like to negotiate, you’re not ready.
  • If you “only want to write the music”, you’re not ready.
  • If you think loops are enough, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t care about the greater film music community, you’re not ready.
  • If most of what you write is at 120 bpm and in “C”, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t have a demo reel, you’re not ready.
  • If you think you are irreplaceable, you’re not ready.
  • If you don’t understand the difference between the “independent system” and the “studio system”, you’re not ready.
  • If you are searching for an easy way, you’re not ready.

If you think this list is unreasonable (or in any way complete)… you’re not ready.

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About the author

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

SCOREcast founder and editor-in-chief, Deane Ogden, is an American composer, recording artist, and studio and live drummer for radio and records. As an advocate for professional creative arts education, Deane speaks globally at creative and cultural conferences and is passionate about the convergence of art and business.

  • me

    And if you care so much about bussiness and little about music, you are not ready. And if you write a list of things that make you “not ready”, but doesn’t have one of what makes you Ready, you are NOT ready!
    No one is ready! but music is ready to hear what we have to say anyway.

  • me

    If you’re arrogant enough to write a list like this, you are NOT ready. Bernard Herrmann was not ready as well according to most of this list.

    • Anna

      which is why he was put out of business for about 20 years during his life

  • Eli Correa

    i’m new to ScoreCast online, and I can’t express how much I’m grateful to have found this site, especially as a beginning composer looking for that extra push and motivation from a large community of composers.  Thank you guys very much!

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      We’re thrilled you are here, Eli! Where are you in the world? Are you part of a local SCOREcast chapter yet? That’s where you can hook up with a lot of great folks and learn a ton of useful stuff in realtime. Send me an email and let me know where you are. I can point you in the right direction. http://www.deaneogden.com/contact-2/

  • Eli Correa

    holy crap!, i’m defnitely not ready, but i’m taking it one day at a time

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      I don’t think any of us truly are, Eli! :) Thanks for reading!

  • Jorge_Costa

    Hi Deane, 
    I’m not ready yet but working hard on it!
    Thanks for the article!
    Jorge 

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Thanks Jorge! I don’t think any of us are ready. :)

  • Pingback: Sundays Are For… | deaneogden.com » composer and creative firestarter

  • TG

    If you define your vision in the negative, then you’re not ready.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Good one.

  • Crap

    Have to be honest and say I find this article a little elitist and narrow minded. A persons journey is their own and only they will know if they are ‘ready’ through their own experiences and not those of others.

    • Ben

      It’s true that every successful composer you talk to will have a different story of how they got to where they are, but the idea of the list is a bare minimum of what you need in a situation where nobody’s handing anything to you. I believe Deane is trying to give a list of negative skill-based and attitude-based attributes that may become obstacles if you don’t address them early on. As for the tone of the article, while it may seem harsh, I think it’s meant to humble you. If you’re not willing to be humbled, you’re not ready.

      • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

        Thanks, Ben! Glad you caught the drift. ;)

  • Pingback: If You’re Not Willing to Fight… “You’re Not Ready” | deaneogden.com » composer and creative influencer

  • Dominik Johnson

    this reads like an Allen Ginsberg poem…

  • Hugh Doolan

    I wasn’t ready for that but I’m liking it.
    Have my first feature documentary premiere in a few days so good to sit and read with that project behind me and reflect while considering the above

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Well? How was that premiere, Hugh? I”m dying to know! Hope it was the most amazing thing ever for you, man. I love going to premieres of stuff I’ve worked on. It’s so nice to see it all come together in a room full of your collaborators. There’s a huge sense of accomplishment there. Good for you for getting it done and seeing it through to the finish! THAT, in and of itself, is a huge feat!

      DO

  • Alex Stone

    Browning wrote ” a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for.”

    If you don’t understand this you’re not ready..

  • Mike Marino

    Wow!  This is such a great checklist.  I’m not ready…but I’ve got some great people helping me, mentoring me during my journey.

  • http://artists-edge.com CoachDebra

    But just because “you’re not ready” does that mean you should sit on your bum until you’re ready?  NO!  This is really just a list to use when identifying where you are in your learning curve.  It’s a process.  And the only way to get ready is to get in action.

    Some of the items in this list have to do with lack of skills (time management, organization, working with a team, etc.) – and you can learn new skills.

    Some of these items have to do with emotional intelligence (dealing with fear, pouting when people tell you “no”) – and these are also skills that can be learned.

    A lot of what’s on this list, however have to do with mindset (wanting to be famous, thinking your irreplaceable, illegally downloading software – otherwise known as ETHICS) – and this underlies everything.  If you don’t have an entrepreneurial mindset, you will likely not put in the time, effort or commitment it will take to get ready.  But you can change your mind – just think different thoughts…

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Absolutely right, Debra! It’s ALL about your perspective. Sometimes, you just need a slight paradigm shift in the way that you perceive certain things. Are they obstacles or opportunities to be better, and thus, more competitive? A person can only decide that for themselves. (Great to see you here, by the way! Your website and services are awesome!) :)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHES7JR4QDVOV2HLCAURHWJAWE No

    Everything seems rational except the the jab at people who d0n’t pay for their software. It doesn’t make good business sense to spend money on something you can get for free, and your attempt at shaming those who have better business sense doesn’t cover up your insecurity about having to pay out the [orifice].

    • http://www.scorecastonline.com Jai Meghan

      1. Thanks for NOT using your name. You really *do* download illegally, don’t you!

      2. The fact that you had to compose your message twice (yes, we do moderate the comments, and we see *every one*) is testament to the fact that you really had to think hard about how to convey what little you did here.

      3. Business sense? Feel free to lay out your thinking on how you arrived at that brilliant conclusion so that we all can be enlightened.

      • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

        I just re-read this response… and I have to say something about it…….

        I LOVE when you get all full of piss and wind!! LOL
        m/

    • Stevie

      Wow “No”, that comment shows that you are seriously lacking maturity. 
      If people follow their “good business sense”, there will be no more libraries, that easy!
      Seriously, I feel ashamed that your post is among the other composers here.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      il·le·gal[ih-lee-guhl]–adjective
      1. forbidden by law or statute.

      “Good business sense” or not (I don’t agree), perhaps you’ve missed the part where piracy is internationally illegal.

    • Mike Plas

      Whoa.

      Intellectual property rights include software, music, scripted television and film, etc.  To deny the very people that work so hard to create this property is illegal and rightly so.

      If you’re unwilling to pay for music, movies, DVD’s, CD’s, software, games, etc., not only are you seeking to work in the wrong field, you’re missing the boat entirely.

    • Ben Cox

      I suspect you and Deane are talking about different things. You may be referring to open source / free software (e.g. Linux). I think Deane was referring to piracy.

      • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

        I pray it’s just a misunderstanding. Otherwise… yeesh! :-0

    • Anonymous

      Actually…I have a feeling that more things in Deane’s list than just the “jab at people who don’t pay for their software” hit a little to close to home for you Dr. No.  

      Perhaps some serious reflection on your current life path and the train you are on to get there may be in order.  I mean…just wow!

  • Mike Plas

    Hey Dean, this list (much like your site) is awesome!  The only thing I’d possibly add is this:

    If you believe your cues are so precious that revisions (or multiple revisions) are out of the question, you’re not ready.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Absolutely agree. It’s that “being flexible” thing, and it’s a MUST. m/

  • Ioannis

    if your parents or whoever doesn’t pay your bills for quite a few years till/if you ever make it….you’re not ready….

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Ha!!

    • Anna

      Well, that’s not true. My parents are non-supportive of my dream so I’ve
      worked in multiple jobs at the same time to finance school, rent,
      insurance and food ever since I was 21 years old – until I could finally finance myself by writing music. And I know other people who had to do the same because their parents simply didn’t have enough money for support. Laying back and letting your parents pay is just the easy way to go and I sincerely think that one appreciates a lot of things more later on if one takes the hard way.

      • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

        Great point, Anna!!

  • http://twitter.com/pwhitfield pete whitfield

    If you think you’ll do the the job properly when the budget is right, you’re not ready.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Someone will always wish it was better—especially YOU!

  • http://www.twelvescore.com/ Mike Torr

    If you don’t know how to manage digital archiving and backups effectively, you’re not ready.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Hallelujah!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1166716212 Eric Santiestevan

    Bravo, Deane!

    If you can’t see this list as a series of milestones to be achieved rather than obstacles that are implacable, you’re not ready.  ;)Seriously, Deane has just handed down a to-do list for anyone who is wondering how to ‘be ready’ (for the ‘big time’).  It should provide a sense of peace to anyone who feels frustrated (hey, that includes me and probably the rest of you!) at not being able to get to the next level–why, we ask, aren’t the opportunities being handed to us?  Here’s a list of why.  It’s not a list that should daunt you; rather, it should excite you.  Here’s a sampling of what you need to master.  Savor those milestones, think about them, and work towards them.  Furthermore, during the process of mastery, you should not be hard on yourself for not having suddenly fast-forwarded 10 years to success.  If you’re hard down on yourself at the beginning and in the middle, firstly, you are hampering your progress, and secondly, if and when you do make it, you will not have learned how to be happy during the process, and will expect happiness only at the conclusion.  This will lead you to never being happy.  (think of your favorite tortured-soul celebrity.  Mine is Jim Carrey, although, I think he’s happier these days.  I hope so.)  However, there IS no conclusion–there is no creative professional who isn’t striving to do something bigger, better, or different (maybe ‘smaller’!) with their work.  As for me, I’m not quite ready.  In my mind, being ready is kind of like the Buddhist conception of enlightenment–there are lots of levels of ‘readiness’ to achieve.  Maybe I’m at Ready 0.9 , but when I get to Ready 1.1, that is legwork for Ready 2.0.  (You are welcome to debate these semantics.)

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Glad you got to the “heart” of this, Eric. Important to bear in mind that my perspective is one of over a decade of the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. :)

  • Russell Bell

    If you have the Remote control repertoire safely under your belt…..your not ready(but you may get an internship lol)

    If you have already seen your name in lights and walking the red carpet….your not ready

    If you weep salty tears of sadness because no one ‘facebook liked’ your last piece…your not ready.

    ‘Who the hell is Ennio Morricone and Bernard Herrmann anyway’…your not ready.

    If you start writing massive brass pomp and everything starts to sound like ‘The Planets’…you may be related to John Williams but either way…your not ready.

    If you think doubling up every string motif with a Wagner section will elevate you to Zimmer greatness…..take a lie down….your not ready.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Wait, Wagner doubles won’t make me famous? I quit. ;)

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Actually, your comment about Herrmann and Morricone is important. I’m always struck by just how many “composers” I meet who have zero knowledge of film music history. Baffling.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ericgoetz Eric Goetz

    Great list!  Only thing I would add is, there’s nothing wrong with not being ready (I’m not).  Don’t wait until you’ve achieved some sort of external success to be happy.  And don’t let “not being ready” stop you from doing it.  Be aware of your flaws, but don’t let them hold you back… there’s already enough obstacles out there without you creating more for yourself.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      True that there is nothing wrong with being ready—everyone has something to work on. However, I would caution against not being ready but charging into battle anyway. You’ll get creamed trying to storm the castle without some of these important things in place.

      • http://www.facebook.com/ericgoetz Eric Goetz

        I totally agree, Deane.  I wouldn’t recommend quitting your day job or pitching to a studio feature film until this stuff is in place.  By “doing it”, I was more referring to getting your feet wet by working on low budget indie shorts or web-series.  Some of these things can only be learned with experience — for example “handling criticism”.  There’s a difference between intellectually saying “yes, I handle criticism well”, and pouring your heart and soul into a cue for two days, only to be told by the director that he wants something different.

        • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

          Okay, yeah. Gotcha. You are right—nothing should scare you away from getting going. And, in regards to your last statement… that even sucks when you’ve had it happen a million times. That one never sits easy. :)

  • David M Saunders

    If you need to wait for inspiration, you’re not ready

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      Great one, David! Rarely is there time in a film schedule to wait on inspiration to strike.

  • http://www.adrianelliscomposer.com/AdriansBlog Adrian Ellis

    If you think you’re ready, you’re not ready.

    • http://deaneogden.com Deane Ogden

      So true. What the saying? “Pride comes before a fall?” ;)

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