I’m a mechanical engineer. I found this very interesting and genuine. In a parallel universe, I chose music as a career instead of a hobby. I’ll always wonder what if. Good luck to those of you who follow your dreams instead of the safe choice. For me, I’ve always said, “I’m a good enough musician to know I’m not a good enough musician.” I’ve also said half-jokingly, “I’d be a professional musician if there were such a thing.” (Yes that has two meanings, and Guy speaks to both in this video.) Thanks Guy you’re a joy and inspiration to watch!
This comment I can relate to. I’m a machinist who is super passionate about what I do but I have an equal passion for the world of composing music for picture but haven’t made a career. Everything he says easily applies to my career as a machinist. What brings me to this channel is my ever growing desire to possibly make that switch to be a composer. It’s hard to switch from one passion to another but the fundamental strides are the exact same. Be consistent every single day learning and making your craft.
Hey man, tons of professionals don't go to school for music. Most people recommend getting a stable job and pursuing music on the side. Getting a tutor is probably more useful and cheap than going to a university You can often email professors in composition or reach out to other professionals about tutoring, as they may be able to tutor you or refer you You made a smart decision doing mechanical engineering. But you can still learn music and become a professional
Exactly the same here, although I always wanted to be a mechanical engineer and I feel it's my deep calling, music is something that has always walked with me, but I always assumed I don't have the talent and never even tried. Now at the age of 40 I have started learning composition as hobby. I am at the point where I neither need to make money of it, nor do I care if I suck at it. It's just for the joy of it.
Not a composer myself, but the advice you just gave fits so well with so many different professional endeavors. 1) Know how to do the job. 2) Know how to follow instructions. 3) Bring something more to the job that is desirable than everyone else.
Very insightful! As an aspiring game composer I would ask that you cover more on topics like this. I'd also like it if you would make a video that more clearly defines what level the industry expects composers to be at. Basically I'm looking for a roadmap of skills I need to have an adequate handle of. I should probably just email the school like you said. lol
Interesting analysis indeed. I think that the statistics you showed address the main problem: everyone today has the tools (it has never been cheaper in the history to make music..), but very few have the knowledge and the craft. Besides I think also many focus too much on the technical side (quality of production, mix etc): that is obviously important, but more important than that it’s the music itself. I mean people should be humble enough to STUDY the music, especially the composers of the past; that’s the only way to achieve good writing and then concentrate on finding your personal voice.
You must never stop trying to write better music and studying is a key part of that. Also listening widely and creatively not just to soundtracks from the 1990's
Fabulous, Guy! I'm pleased that you highlighted the need for one's own 'Voice' in order to stand out. Of your listed criteria, I believe it's the hardest thing to find because it's the one thing that can't be learned. It has to be uncovered as part of one's own journey. I feel as though I have FINALLY found mine, or simply the confidence just to be myself, so perhaps that's why this resonated. I have found that people are responding to my work in a way they didn't before, and are asking for more, so I think it's the 'secret sauce' we're all after! Thanks for a superb channel; I love it!
Composing has been my full time gig for 4 years now. Not only just making a living, but doing quite well. Anything is obtainable, but I really think a certain level of obsession is required. Not only to get better at your craft, but also the amount of output necessary to make it in this field requires quite an effort (I've delivered over 600 songs/cues in a 4 year span) it's not easy and it isn't supposed to be, but to anyone reading this who is serious about it...I BELIEVE IN YOU
@@BraddersMusic I moved to LA in December 2018. The year before I moved here I was working 80 hrs a week between main job and side jobs, saving all the money I could. I'd eat disgusting lunches to save money like 2 McChickens at McDonalds (it cost $2.19 after tax) while I was at work I'd either listen to audio books or compositions to make me better in some way. Was waking up at 4am every single day and would write a song idea before I left my house for work at 6:30am. Sold everything I owned on ebay that wasn't a musical instrument, loaded my car up and drove to LA with $15,000. I got lucky, met the right people by saying yes to every opportunity/offer to hangout and got a gig writing for one of the biggest shows of National Geographic TV that has won multiple Emmy's and been nominated almost 20 times. Let me know if you want to know anything else, as that is kind of my career in a nutshell, but anything I can offer that maybe can help someone else on their journey I am all for!!! Cheers!
Thank you Guy, sometimes when you hear from experts on this topic, in any field, they can come across as quite cynical and jaded and put you off. This video manages to softly deliver the blow of the real world difficulty involved without completely sapping the drive to still aspire to it.
Thank you Guy. Really helpful video. Would be great to hear an example of what “professional” production sounds like compared with amateur production. Not everyone will recognise this and will send what they think is excellent! Really value your videos. Thanks so much.
This is great! I'm currently in college for composition and I'm hoping to do video game composition as a passion. I'm very happy to hear that it's growing so much! I also really appreciate how you line up what really makes a composer qualified when it comes to finding a job. I'm still new to this all, but one of the biggest problems I've had is trying to find out what exactly I need to work on/aim to do. This helped a lot!
Thanks Guy! Feels similar in a lot of creative industries right now. Your advice applies there, too: get your stuff up to par, have your own voice, and follow the flippin instructions! 😅
Nice work, Guy. There are so many folk on TH-cam etc, setting beginner's expectations high for what success looks like, whereas the reality is hard. Thanks for explaining this. There's a parallel with writing (fiction) where widespread computer availability lowered the skill threshold for writing. It enabled more folk to enjoy creative writing, with many of them having dreams of becoming a successful author and generating a steady comfortable income. In truth [I think] about 10% of writers finish a substantial work, 10% of those approach an agent, a small fraction of those reach publication, and a small fraction of those enjoy success with their book. I'm a hobbyist in sound design/composition, and in writing, but I don't have a realistic hope of going all-in to bid for work in such a competitive environment. I really enjoy it, and don't want to put anyone off with what I've said here; I've really restated the problem you set out in this video, and I'm all for equipping folk with realistic expectations and the tools to pursue their dreams.
As a professional musician of 25 years now focusing all my energy on composition, this short video has been an encouraging encounter and would like to say thank you for your sage advice. But mostly for it’s kind and open manner i thank you Xander
I've been in a situation where I was doing interviews and choosing people among many CV's. Although that was in a different kind of industry, situation was quite same, it's amazing how many people apply for a job without actually taking 5 minutes to carefully read what you expect from them. Well, now I'm trying to change my career and go into composing. That experience gives me some amount of comfort 🙂 Btw, thanks for the video, yes, I believe these kind of videos are useful, keep them coming!
If you're serious about this- talk to us about the MA. Its what it was designed to do -not in everyone;'s reach in terms of time and money but it does what it says on the tin
Absolutely love this. It’s great to get this kind of insight into the industry. Can we start a series where a composer can send you a track and you make a video about it? The pros and cons, and where improvements could be made.
Thank you Guy, it's very encouraging. I been watching more and more of your videos. I did a BA in Music back in 2005. I really enjoyed the film composition course that i did for it and I had planned to do a Master in composition focusing on film / tv but sadly didn't get accepted. Was a hard time and I moved into the world of IT to pay the bills and fell out of love with Music. 16 years later my IT job depresses me and I've wondered if I could get back into composition again but is it too late and could I make the switch? I'm taking small steps with watching your orchestral videos. Look forward to more video chat's like these.
Great video Guy! I took your course about music for media back in 2009. It was all sent by mail with DVD's. This is before online courses and everything that Thinkspace is today. All the best from Greece!
Es una maravilla escuchar que alguien con tanta experiencia comparta esta información tan valiosa. Es una delicia ver cada uno de los videos. ¡¡¡Muchas gracias por tu generosidad!!! Vamos por más...
A fantastic video! Very informative. Perhaps you could talk about paths to becoming a film composer in one the future videos. What advice would you give to students and graduates of classical composition courses at music universities looking to get a job? Are there still productions interested in having old-fashioned composers who write a score instead of using DAWs and then orchestrating? I personally prefer the old ways of Goldsmith, Morricone or Williams but unfortunately the industry seems to be going in the exact opposite way…
As someone who is just starting on the journey towards being a composer it is definitely very helpful (and generous) that you give us some industry insights. Thank you!!!
Thank you for sharing this one!! I am just starting my degree in music composition for film, tv, and games with Berklee and this is incredibly encouraging. Love your channel and the work you do! Thanks and be well 🙌🏻
Just amazing Guy. Yes, I would love it if you did more of these videos. I have been a musician and composer for 30+ years or so but I also work in the corporate world. I say this to people all the time in the corporate space, you will never be the smartest or most well-educated person in the room..... but let's assume you are, if you don't follow instructions or you are hard to work with you are STILL not going to get the gig (whatever "gig" it is you are shooting for). People work with people so think about being a better person who is easier to work with before being the best at any given skill. Knowing everything isn't as important as being a professional who knows enough to do their job competently. Thanks again Guy
This was incredibly helpful! I've always been worried about not being able to survive off composition alone and have even been thinking of switching out of it, but this is helping me change my mind. I would definitely love to see more of this
Very much appreciated and looking forward to more such information. (Also will be interesting to see how the Arturia keys that serve as elbow rests are going to hold up :).
Thank you for your encouragement! Working as a composer is what I'd call my biggest dream for the last 6 years, but I find myself not putting in the work to refine my skills. Mainly because I complerely have this mindset of writing music "just for fun" or "I'd never in my life be lucky enough to be picked with all that competition." So I never actually finished writing a single song because I put it on hold when I'm out of Ideas. Maybe hearing you list those statistics helps me realise that it's not that impossible, and that I should work on my skills to someday be at this level to become a professional
I thought this was an excellent and concise breakdown of the industry, made all the more useful because of the fact it was presented by someone who is clearly in the know. I haven’t done any of your courses, but I’d love to see more content like this roll out. Thank you!
Thank you Guy. This was very helpful and confirming. I am currently enrolled at Berklee School of music as a music composition for film, TV, and video games major. One of my classmates that does this for a living said almost exactly what you said. I’m a long time subscriber to your channel and it has been very useful, and helpful.
Many thanks for your video. Really important topic. I would note that answering the question “are there music composing jobs out there?” Is not the same as answering “can you make a living as a composer?”. It’s perfectly possible to find indie projects where they don’t pay enough to cover your expenses. Answering the question about making a living as a composer requires to include the variables income and expenses in the equation. That’s my take on this. What do you think?
Subscribed. Guy thank you SO MUCH for this video and an opportunity for your team to review our compositions. I’ve desperately needed this. I need to be told if I’m that delusional person. And if I’m not, what can I do to find work. Hearing a critique by those that are in the business is so imperative and critical for guys like me. It means more than words can EVER express that you provide this opportunity at no cost. I am excited for the critique, regardless of what it is. You validate me, Guy. Just providing this opportunity. Thank you so so much. I feel honored by you. This made my day!
Extremely valuable info, Guy. I started college as a music major but listened to more "practical" voices and went to work in IT for decades, and later going into debt trying to launch a video marketing agency. I've scored some indie and student films over the years, always daydreaming of making a living as a composer. Although I'm now in my late 50s, it seems like there actually may be an opportunity to make a living in music. Now, I just need to sell my car to afford going back to school. 🙂
I always enjoy your positive attitude, Guy; but I also really appreciate it when you get down to business and distill the truth of your experience as you’ve done here. Well done!
One thing along these lines that I think would be very entertaining would be for you to accept 2-3 pieces with a brief, and then critique (and fix?) them in a video. I'd watch and apply to that!
I’m creating music and sounds for a game. The developer is very aware of my shortcomings as a composer but won’t consider anyone else. It helps enormously that the developer is me.
I'm following your channel since a couple of years now, and I find this type of reflections very interesting. Thank you, and please keep sharing your opinions!
I hear the positivity; that if you keep striving to develop your 'sound' you will get there. Another message I've retained is to persevere. 90 percent give up after a while, those who stick with it start to be noticed. I finished my first major gig last year, which was super rewarding, but took a decade to complete. I can depart knowing I left something behind, many people appreciated. I've even been nominated for an award, which simply blows my mind when you look at the standards of some of the people in the games industry. I may not have a career, but I achieved my own goal only through constant unending output over many decades.
@@ThinkSpaceEducation One thinks it will never happen, and the it pops up out of nowhere. Thank you for inspiring and educating us all. We really appreciate it.
You're completely right in this. But it's still not easy for some of us who already are working for major tv series, documentaries and also feature films. The difficoult part for us is to build a constant flow of new works to make a stable living. The ones who already hired us, keep doing it. To get new ones is still hard, because the established directors or productions already have their trusted composers since years, and also because it is often needed to personally know and meet people involved in new productions to get known, but it's quite hard to do it. This is another aspect to keep in consideration, for the ones of us already working at high levels, but not yet with a constant and consistent flow of works to make a proper and stable living.
Very interesting talk. Thank you Guy. I would love to see a follow up that covers in more detail the level of competence and knowledge required to survive in the industry.
Definitely useful information. Thank you for sharing. I hope to hear more of this information. I do have a question. How do you put a price on your value as a composer/sound designer? And if you get a big contract, how is it best to handle payment? (break it into small chucks over the duration or take a sum up front and at the end?)
I think one important question you have to ask yourself is if you should make money as a composer in the first place. Any art form is really fun as long as you are doing it for your own pleasure. But as soon as the hobby is turned into a job this joy may be over. At this point you have to please the expectation of your client instead of your own and you have to be creative even if you are not feeling it at this moment. It's also a hard job and there will be most likely no time and creativity left for personal side projects. If you start this career then you'll have to go all in. On the other hand it's a very creative and rewarding job. Live your dream but be prepared to have a plan B. I'm personally glad that I didn't go that route even when I had the opportunity back in the day. Decades later I have a different day job that I love and I still love doing music as a hobby (apart of some favor work from time to time). In hindsight I'm pretty sure that a career in the music industry would have ruined music for me but I have some friends who still love it after all these years.
It's pretty interesting that they reached out to a few people who managed to fit the profile.... only to find out they were already occupied with other work projects. I'm not surprised, but still funny. Life is easy for those on top ;)
thank you for sharing Mr Guy, I feel like calling you Sir Guy. I watched the Cats carton show with my kids before seing your youtube video on how you scored it. It was so informative please continue sharing. I like it, I like it a lot. I am in South Africa and looking to get into this space.
Excellent, this video, this explanation is very helpfully, thanks And if this advice serves anyone, I prepared as a sample three fake "trailers" with music and video and published them to have them as a business card.
Jolly useful Guy. As always, thanks for sharing your insights and tips. Hoping that having moved to the Chichester seaside, that new musical inspirations will come rushing through the door 🎶🎉💨
I have a question I was hoping you could answer. Can you take a look at AI music and give your thoughts on whether it might replace commercial music applications? For example, film score, videogames, etc. Obviously it's not there yet musically and some people will always want an emotional connection to music (likely that isn't created by an AI), but do you think for budget reasons companies may use AI to generate music similar to how samples are used for a lot of budget films nowadays instead of real live orchestra? Would love your perspective.
I look at the art industry and see a lot of low-budget jobs being taken by generative art AI like midjourney and I worry that if music AI ever gets to a comparable level of quality we might see the same thing with music.
Thank you so much for this it is so informative. I have been involved with music, recording studio work etc for a long time and only now got the tools to be adventurous. Regards Andre SA
This is a great video. I really wish this kind of info was out there when I completed my composition degree 15 years ago. I’m now a web designer after having given up on the idea. This has made me feel differently now. Thank you
![5 BIG Mistakes people make writing music ......[and how to FIX them!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ul_XQWaWrVM/mqdefault.jpg)
"Can you imagine an industry, where 90% of the time you lose money." ... Yes, the Music industry. Though I'd say it's more like 95% of the time.
yeap, the big whales cover the labels loss on the hordes of one hit wonders
Preach 😂
Good point.
Ikr?! I couldn't believe he just asked that question of musicians hahah
I’m a mechanical engineer. I found this very interesting and genuine. In a parallel universe, I chose music as a career instead of a hobby. I’ll always wonder what if. Good luck to those of you who follow your dreams instead of the safe choice. For me, I’ve always said, “I’m a good enough musician to know I’m not a good enough musician.”
I’ve also said half-jokingly, “I’d be a professional musician if there were such a thing.” (Yes that has two meanings, and Guy speaks to both in this video.)
Thanks Guy you’re a joy and inspiration to watch!
This comment I can relate to. I’m a machinist who is super passionate about what I do but I have an equal passion for the world of composing music for picture but haven’t made a career. Everything he says easily applies to my career as a machinist. What brings me to this channel is my ever growing desire to possibly make that switch to be a composer. It’s hard to switch from one passion to another but the fundamental strides are the exact same. Be consistent every single day learning and making your craft.
Hey man, tons of professionals don't go to school for music. Most people recommend getting a stable job and pursuing music on the side. Getting a tutor is probably more useful and cheap than going to a university
You can often email professors in composition or reach out to other professionals about tutoring, as they may be able to tutor you or refer you
You made a smart decision doing mechanical engineering. But you can still learn music and become a professional
Exactly the same here, although I always wanted to be a mechanical engineer and I feel it's my deep calling, music is something that has always walked with me, but I always assumed I don't have the talent and never even tried. Now at the age of 40 I have started learning composition as hobby. I am at the point where I neither need to make money of it, nor do I care if I suck at it. It's just for the joy of it.
Same but I'm chasing it... Mechanics just doesn't cut it for me. I hope both our futures shine man...
Not a composer myself, but the advice you just gave fits so well with so many different professional endeavors. 1) Know how to do the job. 2) Know how to follow instructions. 3) Bring something more to the job that is desirable than everyone else.
These composer chats are really great! Please keep doing this!
Yes, please keep content like this coming! I enjoy almost anything you put out there, but please do more of this!
Will do
Very insightful! As an aspiring game composer I would ask that you cover more on topics like this. I'd also like it if you would make a video that more clearly defines what level the industry expects composers to be at. Basically I'm looking for a roadmap of skills I need to have an adequate handle of. I should probably just email the school like you said. lol
Interesting analysis indeed.
I think that the statistics you showed address the main problem: everyone today has the tools (it has never been cheaper in the history to make music..), but very few have the knowledge and the craft.
Besides I think also many focus too much on the technical side (quality of production, mix etc): that is obviously important, but more important than that it’s the music itself. I mean people should be humble enough to STUDY the music, especially the composers of the past; that’s the only way to achieve good writing and then concentrate on finding your personal voice.
You must never stop trying to write better music and studying is a key part of that. Also listening widely and creatively not just to soundtracks from the 1990's
I went to bed last night feeling hopeless and woke up to this and regained some spark. You could not have timed this any better.
Glad to help
Absolutely love this! Thank you so much for you continual sobering optimism, Guy!
Yes! More like this please! Thank you for your honesty & candor. This information is VERY much appreciated.
will do
Thank you Guy! Composer with aspirations so doing my homework research and this video very clear and straightforward.
Fabulous, Guy! I'm pleased that you highlighted the need for one's own 'Voice' in order to stand out. Of your listed criteria, I believe it's the hardest thing to find because it's the one thing that can't be learned. It has to be uncovered as part of one's own journey. I feel as though I have FINALLY found mine, or simply the confidence just to be myself, so perhaps that's why this resonated. I have found that people are responding to my work in a way they didn't before, and are asking for more, so I think it's the 'secret sauce' we're all after! Thanks for a superb channel; I love it!
Composing has been my full time gig for 4 years now. Not only just making a living, but doing quite well. Anything is obtainable, but I really think a certain level of obsession is required. Not only to get better at your craft, but also the amount of output necessary to make it in this field requires quite an effort (I've delivered over 600 songs/cues in a 4 year span) it's not easy and it isn't supposed to be, but to anyone reading this who is serious about it...I BELIEVE IN YOU
Congratulations Frankie, that’s a lot of confidence, motivation and talent! I’d like to hear more about your crusade!
@@BraddersMusic I moved to LA in December 2018. The year before I moved here I was working 80 hrs a week between main job and side jobs, saving all the money I could. I'd eat disgusting lunches to save money like 2 McChickens at McDonalds (it cost $2.19 after tax) while I was at work I'd either listen to audio books or compositions to make me better in some way. Was waking up at 4am every single day and would write a song idea before I left my house for work at 6:30am. Sold everything I owned on ebay that wasn't a musical instrument, loaded my car up and drove to LA with $15,000. I got lucky, met the right people by saying yes to every opportunity/offer to hangout and got a gig writing for one of the biggest shows of National Geographic TV that has won multiple Emmy's and been nominated almost 20 times.
Let me know if you want to know anything else, as that is kind of my career in a nutshell, but anything I can offer that maybe can help someone else on their journey I am all for!!! Cheers!
Thank you Guy, sometimes when you hear from experts on this topic, in any field, they can come across as quite cynical and jaded and put you off. This video manages to softly deliver the blow of the real world difficulty involved without completely sapping the drive to still aspire to it.
I have no place for cynacism and yes I completely agree. Be realistic about the difficulties but cynacism is just career death
SOOO GOOD to hear advice on this subject that is constructive and uses actual examples - thank you so much!
youre welcome
Thank you Guy. Really helpful video. Would be great to hear an example of what “professional” production sounds like compared with amateur production. Not everyone will recognise this and will send what they think is excellent!
Really value your videos. Thanks so much.
Thank you sir.
I've been focusing on film, but perhaps I should reconsider that based on your advice.
This is great! I'm currently in college for composition and I'm hoping to do video game composition as a passion. I'm very happy to hear that it's growing so much!
I also really appreciate how you line up what really makes a composer qualified when it comes to finding a job. I'm still new to this all, but one of the biggest problems I've had is trying to find out what exactly I need to work on/aim to do. This helped a lot!
Thanks Guy! Feels similar in a lot of creative industries right now. Your advice applies there, too: get your stuff up to par, have your own voice, and follow the flippin instructions! 😅
Nice work, Guy. There are so many folk on TH-cam etc, setting beginner's expectations high for what success looks like, whereas the reality is hard. Thanks for explaining this.
There's a parallel with writing (fiction) where widespread computer availability lowered the skill threshold for writing. It enabled more folk to enjoy creative writing, with many of them having dreams of becoming a successful author and generating a steady comfortable income. In truth [I think] about 10% of writers finish a substantial work, 10% of those approach an agent, a small fraction of those reach publication, and a small fraction of those enjoy success with their book.
I'm a hobbyist in sound design/composition, and in writing, but I don't have a realistic hope of going all-in to bid for work in such a competitive environment. I really enjoy it, and don't want to put anyone off with what I've said here; I've really restated the problem you set out in this video, and I'm all for equipping folk with realistic expectations and the tools to pursue their dreams.
As a professional musician of 25 years now focusing all my energy on composition, this short video has been an encouraging encounter and would like to say thank you for your sage advice. But mostly for it’s kind and open manner i thank you Xander
Would love to see a breakdown of what to charge to score a video game, show, movie, etc.! Appreciate you Guy!
I've been in a situation where I was doing interviews and choosing people among many CV's. Although that was in a different kind of industry, situation was quite same, it's amazing how many people apply for a job without actually taking 5 minutes to carefully read what you expect from them.
Well, now I'm trying to change my career and go into composing. That experience gives me some amount of comfort 🙂
Btw, thanks for the video, yes, I believe these kind of videos are useful, keep them coming!
If you're serious about this- talk to us about the MA. Its what it was designed to do -not in everyone;'s reach in terms of time and money but it does what it says on the tin
Thanks for this video Guy. I would definitely be interested in hearing you talk in more detail about composing for video games and tv.
Absolutely love this. It’s great to get this kind of insight into the industry. Can we start a series where a composer can send you a track and you make a video about it? The pros and cons, and where improvements could be made.
that would be amazing - maybe even a composing competition like Ryan Leach does!
Don’t think these guys have the bandwidth to handle this size of project, ha-pay to be wrong!
That would be really really interesting 👍
Great video. Thanks Guy! Have you done or could you do a video about how to find your own voice as a composer?
This is exactly what I needed. Someone told me I should sell my music for a game. I feel I have a unique sound. Moody music for games is essential!
Thank you Guy, it's very encouraging. I been watching more and more of your videos.
I did a BA in Music back in 2005. I really enjoyed the film composition course that i did for it and I had planned to do a Master in composition focusing on film / tv but sadly didn't get accepted. Was a hard time and I moved into the world of IT to pay the bills and fell out of love with Music.
16 years later my IT job depresses me and I've wondered if I could get back into composition again but is it too late and could I make the switch?
I'm taking small steps with watching your orchestral videos.
Look forward to more video chat's like these.
Great video Guy! I took your course about music for media back in 2009. It was all sent by mail with DVD's. This is before online courses and everything that Thinkspace is today. All the best from Greece!
Es una maravilla escuchar que alguien con tanta experiencia comparta esta información tan valiosa. Es una delicia ver cada uno de los videos. ¡¡¡Muchas gracias por tu generosidad!!! Vamos por más...
I’m a lifelong composer and multi instrumentalist. Thanks for encouragement. I’ve just started my channel😊
Thank You Very Much Sir!
🙂🙏💛
This was an ABSOLUTELY wonderful video!!
This is a VERY important video, very well made with honesty and clarity. Thank you
A fantastic video! Very informative. Perhaps you could talk about paths to becoming a film composer in one the future videos. What advice would you give to students and graduates of classical composition courses at music universities looking to get a job? Are there still productions interested in having old-fashioned composers who write a score instead of using DAWs and then orchestrating?
I personally prefer the old ways of Goldsmith, Morricone or Williams but unfortunately the industry seems to be going in the exact opposite way…
As someone who is just starting on the journey towards being a composer it is definitely very helpful (and generous) that you give us some industry insights.
Thank you!!!
Hey Guy, great content as usual. On an unrelated note, did you switch to the Arturia because it has a better piano keybed than the Kontrol S88 MKII?
Thank you for sharing this one!! I am just starting my degree in music composition for film, tv, and games with Berklee and this is incredibly encouraging. Love your channel and the work you do! Thanks and be well 🙌🏻
This is a GREAT video Guy, appreciate the candid truths you're dropping on this one 🙌
lol this is great, i'm just casually clicking on everyones profile and listening to their music. cool discoveries so far!
Thanks for this video. Would love more on how to be a working media composer.
Good to know personality/orginiality is still right up there when people are sifting through these entries. The world needs new and unique art.
Thank you very much for this honest and brutal reality check!
Just amazing Guy. Yes, I would love it if you did more of these videos.
I have been a musician and composer for 30+ years or so but I also work in the corporate world. I say this to people all the time in the corporate space, you will never be the smartest or most well-educated person in the room..... but let's assume you are, if you don't follow instructions or you are hard to work with you are STILL not going to get the gig (whatever "gig" it is you are shooting for).
People work with people so think about being a better person who is easier to work with before being the best at any given skill. Knowing everything isn't as important as being a professional who knows enough to do their job competently.
Thanks again Guy
This was incredibly helpful! I've always been worried about not being able to survive off composition alone and have even been thinking of switching out of it, but this is helping me change my mind. I would definitely love to see more of this
Its hard dont get me wrong but completely doable
Thanks, Guy. This was a great video. I, for one, would love more of these types of videos 😊.
Very much appreciated and looking forward to more such information. (Also will be interesting to see how the Arturia keys that serve as elbow rests are going to hold up :).
Thanks Guy. As always super insightful, helpful, hopeful and pragmatic. It’s why you stand out from the rest. You’re just great.
Nice! Thanks for this great video!
Thank you for your encouragement!
Working as a composer is what I'd call my biggest dream for the last 6 years, but I find myself not putting in the work to refine my skills. Mainly because I complerely have this mindset of writing music "just for fun" or "I'd never in my life be lucky enough to be picked with all that competition." So I never actually finished writing a single song because I put it on hold when I'm out of Ideas.
Maybe hearing you list those statistics helps me realise that it's not that impossible, and that I should work on my skills to someday be at this level to become a professional
Go for it
I thought this was an excellent and concise breakdown of the industry, made all the more useful because of the fact it was presented by someone who is clearly in the know. I haven’t done any of your courses, but I’d love to see more content like this roll out. Thank you!
Thank you Guy. This was very helpful and confirming. I am currently enrolled at Berklee School of music as a music composition for film, TV, and video games major. One of my classmates that does this for a living said almost exactly what you said. I’m a long time subscriber to your channel and it has been very useful, and helpful.
Good luck - keep focussed
Always great to see folks being up front and honest about what it takes to make a go in the industry
This was really useful - great to hear these insights from the 'hiring' side. More like this please! Thanks Guy!
Thanks so much for these inspiring and encouraging video's!
Many thanks for your video. Really important topic. I would note that answering the question “are there music composing jobs out there?” Is not the same as answering “can you make a living as a composer?”. It’s perfectly possible to find indie projects where they don’t pay enough to cover your expenses. Answering the question about making a living as a composer requires to include the variables income and expenses in the equation. That’s my take on this. What do you think?
You are right. In the video he basically states only 1% will make it.
This is SO relevant and useful
A very interesting video. Thank you very much. More on this topic would definitely be very much appreciated.
OK
Subscribed. Guy thank you SO MUCH for this video and an opportunity for your team to review our compositions. I’ve desperately needed this. I need to be told if I’m that delusional person. And if I’m not, what can I do to find work. Hearing a critique by those that are in the business is so imperative and critical for guys like me. It means more than words can EVER express that you provide this opportunity at no cost. I am excited for the critique, regardless of what it is. You validate me, Guy. Just providing this opportunity. Thank you so so much. I feel honored by you. This made my day!
:)
Extremely valuable info, Guy. I started college as a music major but listened to more "practical" voices and went to work in IT for decades, and later going into debt trying to launch a video marketing agency. I've scored some indie and student films over the years, always daydreaming of making a living as a composer. Although I'm now in my late 50s, it seems like there actually may be an opportunity to make a living in music. Now, I just need to sell my car to afford going back to school. 🙂
I always enjoy your positive attitude, Guy; but I also really appreciate it when you get down to business and distill the truth of your experience as you’ve done here. Well done!
Thank you
One thing along these lines that I think would be very entertaining would be for you to accept 2-3 pieces with a brief, and then critique (and fix?) them in a video. I'd watch and apply to that!
I’m creating music and sounds for a game. The developer is very aware of my shortcomings as a composer but won’t consider anyone else. It helps enormously that the developer is me.
This is extremely encouraging, more of this please Guy.
Just finished my studies in composition, so this is perfect! Would love to see more of this 😊
I'm following your channel since a couple of years now, and I find this type of reflections very interesting. Thank you, and please keep sharing your opinions!
Yes! More real talk. People like me who are just starting out need to hear the truth about this industry.
Great will do
Thank you! I'd love to hear your take on more about this.
This is super interesting and useful Guy, thank you for your insight
youre welcome
Interesting stats I had no idea. Absolutely I would love to see more of this topic covered tnx!
I hear the positivity; that if you keep striving to develop your 'sound' you will get there. Another message I've retained is to persevere. 90 percent give up after a while, those who stick with it start to be noticed. I finished my first major gig last year, which was super rewarding, but took a decade to complete. I can depart knowing I left something behind, many people appreciated. I've even been nominated for an award, which simply blows my mind when you look at the standards of some of the people in the games industry. I may not have a career, but I achieved my own goal only through constant unending output over many decades.
Productivity is really important - congratultions on your nomination!
@@ThinkSpaceEducation One thinks it will never happen, and the it pops up out of nowhere. Thank you for inspiring and educating us all. We really appreciate it.
I've been studying composition for the past couple months, I hope to get good enough to stand out someday.
You're completely right in this. But it's still not easy for some of us who already are working for major tv series, documentaries and also feature films. The difficoult part for us is to build a constant flow of new works to make a stable living.
The ones who already hired us, keep doing it. To get new ones is still hard, because the established directors or productions already have their trusted composers since years, and also because it is often needed to personally know and meet people involved in new productions to get known, but it's quite hard to do it.
This is another aspect to keep in consideration, for the ones of us already working at high levels, but not yet with a constant and consistent flow of works to make a proper and stable living.
Very interesting talk. Thank you Guy. I would love to see a follow up that covers in more detail the level of competence and knowledge required to survive in the industry.
Thats a question we get a lot but hard to generalise
Thank you very much for sharing this information! Extremely helpful and very much appreciated 😊
Definitely useful information. Thank you for sharing. I hope to hear more of this information. I do have a question. How do you put a price on your value as a composer/sound designer? And if you get a big contract, how is it best to handle payment? (break it into small chucks over the duration or take a sum up front and at the end?)
this. thank you. I've been thinking about getting back into music editing so this helps a lot.
Great stuff. Really appreciate the practical, no nonsense info.
21 thousand people have watched this in its first three days.. that should tell people how huge the pool of composers is.
This is exactly what I needed when I hopped on today. Thank you.
This was exactly what I needed to watch! Keeping me focused and hungry 🙏
Thank you Guy. The answer is yes! This kind of videos are super useful.
I think one important question you have to ask yourself is if you should make money as a composer in the first place. Any art form is really fun as long as you are doing it for your own pleasure. But as soon as the hobby is turned into a job this joy may be over. At this point you have to please the expectation of your client instead of your own and you have to be creative even if you are not feeling it at this moment. It's also a hard job and there will be most likely no time and creativity left for personal side projects. If you start this career then you'll have to go all in. On the other hand it's a very creative and rewarding job. Live your dream but be prepared to have a plan B.
I'm personally glad that I didn't go that route even when I had the opportunity back in the day. Decades later I have a different day job that I love and I still love doing music as a hobby (apart of some favor work from time to time). In hindsight I'm pretty sure that a career in the music industry would have ruined music for me but I have some friends who still love it after all these years.
Excellent, topic covered brilliantly. Please, more!
As a professional composer/musician, this is honest and helpful advice. Thanks for sharing!
Really appreciate the statistics and insights! So helpful!
It's a wonderful art but a horrible business.
Agreed!
Solid, accurate foundational advice Guy.
Many thanks for putting this out.
It's pretty interesting that they reached out to a few people who managed to fit the profile.... only to find out they were already occupied with other work projects. I'm not surprised, but still funny. Life is easy for those on top ;)
I love how your personality comes through on your delivery - I could listen to you all day, and I love the humour - A very dry subject sometimes!
thank you for sharing Mr Guy, I feel like calling you Sir Guy. I watched the Cats carton show with my kids before seing your youtube video on how you scored it. It was so informative please continue sharing. I like it, I like it a lot. I am in South Africa and looking to get into this space.
These short, sharp, professionally-targeted chats are a welcome complement to your regular content. I hope you continue to offer them.
Agreed, it helps to keep our feet on the ground and potentially going in the right direction. Thanks, Guy great, as always.😊
Yes Yea Yes! As someone who is exploring this as a side gig this was very insightful. Thanks Guy.
Wonderful advice! Very informative. Thanks Guy.
Excellent, this video, this explanation is very helpfully, thanks
And if this advice serves anyone, I prepared as a sample three fake "trailers" with music and video and published them to have them as a business card.
Jolly useful Guy. As always, thanks for sharing your insights and tips. Hoping that having moved to the Chichester seaside, that new musical inspirations will come rushing through the door 🎶🎉💨
I have a question I was hoping you could answer. Can you take a look at AI music and give your thoughts on whether it might replace commercial music applications? For example, film score, videogames, etc. Obviously it's not there yet musically and some people will always want an emotional connection to music (likely that isn't created by an AI), but do you think for budget reasons companies may use AI to generate music similar to how samples are used for a lot of budget films nowadays instead of real live orchestra? Would love your perspective.
I look at the art industry and see a lot of low-budget jobs being taken by generative art AI like midjourney and I worry that if music AI ever gets to a comparable level of quality we might see the same thing with music.
Thanks so much Guy ! I need to study mire so I can be better ! Wish me luck for my future !
Thank you so much for this it is so informative. I have been involved with music, recording studio work etc for a long time and only now got the tools to be adventurous. Regards Andre SA
Thank you, it brings really good peace of understanding the vector of further development
This is a great video. I really wish this kind of info was out there when I completed my composition degree 15 years ago. I’m now a web designer after having given up on the idea. This has made me feel differently now. Thank you
I really need this type of content about music industry! Thanks