Si
Newbie
Joined: 12 Mar 2003
Posts: 2
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| Music for tv/film |
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I am a graduate in Sound Engineering and a musician/composer looking to get work in providing music for a variety of mediums. TV, film, advertising, web - I am interested in them all.
It would be good to hear from others trying to break in to this field, or especially those already in it to gain advice and tips, and generally begin some discussion on the subject.
Having sent a cd-rom portfolio of some of my work to various production companies I'm now looking at targeting agents. But I'm sure it's a minefield out there, so has anyone any info on this subject? |
Wed Mar 12, 2003 7:08 pm |
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Ginger
Tape Op
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Posts: 25
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I wish I
did
have some good tips for you. My ultimate ambition is to be involved in TV or Film sound production as well (although I have to say, I haven't got the stunning list of formal qualifications you have!) Despite an unflagging determination, dogged persistence and a high standard/quality of work I must admit I'm totaly stupified as to how anyone can break into the recording/production industry - even
with
a pocket full of half decent contacts. My approach has always been to grasp each oppertunity firmly with both hands and treat it as a learning experience that'll hopefully lead further. I've done work for a major TV production company in the UK called Mentorn, small stuff for the BBC - even a spoken word version of a poetry book - all of which have hit brick walls for no reason I can fathom (and believe me I've tried to find out, just to see where, if anywhere, I might be going wrong). I've always emphasised the 'show' rather than the 'tell' side of promoting my skills (we all know how many good talkers there are in the media industry and I know when I'm outclassed!), the goal being that once I can get my name associated with something, or along side someone with credibility it would say more than my credentials alone.
Alas, I am fast running out of ideas as to how I can best achieve this and am fast coming to the conclusion that luck, personal connections/bias and bullsh*t are the biggest factors - how else could so many truly under talented people (and I've met more than my share!!) be doing so well?
Sorry to rant! I guess I'm just trying to say that all people like us can do is make the best of it, keep honing our skills and have faith that we'll get the oppertunities our creative talents truly deserve! I wish you the very best of luck
PS: I'd be very interested to hear some of your work |
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Tue Mar 18, 2003 7:17 pm |
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Si
Newbie
Joined: 12 Mar 2003
Posts: 2
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Hi Ginger,
Great to get a response, even if it is a frustrated one! You're absolutely correct about the qualities required to make it...especially the bullshit!
It seems you have enjoyed some involvement in the field and it's disheartening to hear that you're still 'stuck'. I guess we all dream of that one break that snowballs to wonderous things, but it's an elusive bas**rd!
Have you targeted agents at all? This is an area I'm to explore next. I also carry a copy of my cd portfolio at all times as my job in property letting (how mundane?) means I meet many people. Like you say, it's usually not what you know but who you know that counts, so I'm forever compromising my 'professionality' by exclaiming my intentions as a musician!! Well, bollocks, you gotta promote yourself!
I'd be equally interested to hear your work and to discuss this topic further, but have to exit right now.
Thanks again for the reply. |
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Tue Mar 18, 2003 8:20 pm |
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Ginger
Tape Op
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Posts: 25
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Agencies - I must admit I've had a little difficulty trying to locate some (see my other posting). I know they exist, but despite exhaustive searches on the web using every search criteria I can think of, I haven't had much luck. As I mentioned in my other post, I know they exist because I knew an Australian about 4 or 5 years ago who got loads of work as a location sound engineer for TV and seemed to have known where to find them as soon as she got off the plane!! I kick myself that I never quized her more thoroughly about them, I was a gigging musician at the time, only just starting to plump the murky depths of engineering and foolishly assumed that if a freshly arrived foreigner could find them, I shouldn't have too much trouble when I was ready (hah!!!)
I don't suppose you know of any? Someone kindly replied to my other post but the website they recomended has more to do with the British film industry, which while good, doesn't give details on more general jobs which would be the bread and butter kind of work we're looking for. At this stage I figure the more proffessional work I can show to someone, the more likley they are to give me more, the more varied my portfolio and the more experience I'll have for dealing with prospective clients - at this stage, I find the pricing of a job the most daunting prospect: You want to give a competetive quote that'll secure you the work but you don't want it to be too cheap or you'll set a prescedent that'll never afford you a decent living in the future (know what I mean?!!")
On a slightly different note, a friend of mine has recently aquired some authoring software for Dolby digital surround sound - in view of creating as many strings to my bow as possible, I'm trying to get hold of a copy and learn it but have no idea if it's the
right
software to learn this kind of thing on, I'd hate to learn it inside out only to find that the industry use something completley different (eg: I've yet to visit a studio that's ever used or had a good opinion of Cakewalk as a sequencer!!) |
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Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:57 pm |
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