10 Lessons on “Breaking In”

I often get asked for a checklist of things one can do to break in to the business. Here is my personal “top ten” of lessons learned.

Producing Your Score

Nothing will give your music heart, soul, the real human touch, better than the sounds of skilled musicians. Even if you yourself are the finest, with years of experience, even adding just one pro player will double your firepower, and even casual listeners will notice. So, now that you are off the phone and someone is on his or her way, it’s time to think about just how to interact for the best possible results. This is where you will be called on to put on your “producer” hat. Let’s talk about what that entails…

Nan Avant: Being a Pro at All Times

Professionalism should be that standard by which we work at all times, no matter the type of project, the size of the budget, or the people for whom we are working. What you do at every step, how you conduct your business and professional life, will determine your career.

Nan Avant: Audio, Delivery, and a Quick Response

My experience as a composer has been primarily working with independent filmmakers with smaller budgets on short, feature, and documentary films. As I read through the articles from this month’s SCOREcast writers, I found similar scenarios that I also encounter in my work — one of them being the question of audio demonstration. Whether the project is with a local filmmaker or an out-of-town client this is certainly a factor to consider, and I have learned to ask many questions at the beginning of a new project.

Ryan Leach: Long Distance Scoring

Today’s technology has made it possible to score a project with anyone no matter where they’re located. However, long distance scoring does come with plenty of challenges.

Shut Your Trap

From time to time it’s the case that I first meet a filmmaker in the context of trying to land their picture—as opposed to having met them in some other capacity beforehand (and thus already knowing them when it’s time to talk about their latest project). I’m reminded what a bad scenario the former case is. Far, far better to have some social interaction prior to that meeting in which you have to sell yourself. Either way, though, one thing I recommend avoiding at all costs is talking too much. I was up for a small picture a few years ago, and had to take a “cold” meeting with a pair of producers (I was…