With my current state of life, I look to be an 85% Investment Banker, 10% musician, and 5% composer. However, with 25 years loving music, 10 years of violin playing along with orchestras and bands. I'd hope to turn that around. I finally saved enough to invest in music education and assets. And I'm finally releasing my first written orchestration this month thanks to Spitfire's BBCSO Discover (got it for free via survey and waiting for two weeks). I'm also turning 26 years old this month by the way. So this release is sort of a birthday gift to myself :D Thank you Christian and Spitfire Team for helping people fight for such crazy, yet wonder-filled musical dreams.
I am going for 42, with dependants and a mortgage. And still I want to make it in the industry, despite this magnificent video of yours, all the difficulties, the incredibly sheer competition, the fact that I could get even more stressed than what I get as a software developer, and I could go on forever. I cannot live without music, I was born a pianist, musically speaking, and have played keyboards in bands, as well as arranging said bands' songs. Sure, I am still an ignorant in many respects, but I know a few things and am a fast learner, and I know I will succeed. Please, Christian, keep hitting us on our heads, reminding us middle-aged and older people how difficult this industry is. Cheers!
This is an incredibly assembled and accurate film for anyone starting out. As someone who does it full-time; in my opinion there's more useful, practical and insightful employment advice and industry-related content condensed into these 20 minutes than there is in most 3-year university courses dealing with music for media. Brilliant.
Steven Wilson said it well recently (for musicians, but I would say this for MCs as well) - don’t plan on making it a career; make music because you like making music, and if it turns out to be a part or full time career, even better. That way, you’ll never be disappointed
Good Lord, Christian. You are so incredibly generous on this channel, it sometimes makes me feel selfish just to watch your films. Thank you for sharing your knowledge (and all your talents) with the world. 5-year-old me: “I’m gonna’ be a film composer when I grow up!” 46-year-old me: I was MADE to be a HOD!!
I started my journey as a media composer after an almost 20 year long career as a full time working NYC keyboard player. So i started at it when i was about 40. It was difficult at that age to take a pay cut for 5 years or so (playing part time) while i got on with it but after 15 years of this journey, for me, it was well worth it as i love doing this much more than sitting in the pit of a show playing the same music over and over again. I did know how to sequence before i started (Studio Vision Pro) and had made contacts as a player from playing sessions and meeting musicians over the time i was a player that helped the transition.
Amazing! This is very encouraging to me, as I'm in the same boat - 10 years as an orchestral player, got sick and tired of it, and am now trying to build a new career as a media composer at the tender age of 42.
I remember Studio Vision Pro! It was my first software sequencer. I'm starting to make that transition myself after 20+ year career as a avant jazz French Horn player (I know, I know...) that ended when I developed Focal Dystonia of the Embouchure. Tough to keep the faith as I approach 60, though!
I highly respect you and take your words of wisdom on board with every video. And here I am 52 and in year 2 of chasing the composing career. So your opening monologue rained on my parade big time, to say the least! Thankfully at this point there are no kids and so I can devote all the time outside the day job to composing. Yes, I think I'm talented and have good taste! And I'm a people person! Needless to say I know I need to get on the fast track if I want to break the 10-15 year period before earning. I've had a modicum of success so far and its only the beginning of year 2. I've just pitched for my first short film (which is one of 3 goals this year that includes a console game). Lofty goals? Yes, but hey, I'm having a blast trying to achieve them. Thanks for these vlogs they are really inspiring.
@@Superdelphinus Hey, I appreciate the interest. So three years on and I'm getting TV placements via a music library I write for. I want to find a couple more to write for as finding the right library is a bit of a crap shoot. That's going to be the area of focus for the next year (I look at synchs as my potential retirement fund!). Writing for video games hasn't taken off as quickly as I thought or hoped but I am still working with the same game dev I had initial success with - MONITOR the game won the Games Developer World Championship in 2017 and is available on STEAM.
"I've never dreaded a middle eight more than this"... Classic Mr Henson! As one of your target audience for advice (mid-50's, looking to make media composition my second career), I actually found this vlogmore uplifting than you might imagine. If you have had kids in your twenties and thirties, then they are now in their twenties, been through education, out the other side, making meaningful relationships, maybe looking to get married (in short, have become adults themselves), no longer your responsibility every waking moment. Depending on how often you moved, maybe coming towards the end of a mortgage (or accepting that you will never own a house and will rent forever), payments less of an issue. So financial demands are become less than those, say, in your forties. And the list of questions that you pose that helps to tip the balance away from the impossibility of suddenly becoming a concert violinist at the age of twenty towards Ad Man, most of those I can answer 'yes' to. I'm not sure about your question "are you close to a media hub?" - I live (like you) in Edinburgh, which feels like it should or could become one, but not yet, and I have ties here that mean I don't want to move away - but most of the rest of the answers are either "the hell, yes" or at least "well, not bad"... At the moment, my main challenge is "what can I do that people will pay me enough money to live off, without dipping into savings?". Still working on that one. But your grumpy vlog has bizarrely given me hope. Thank you.
Good points about the differences between 40s and 50s! A forced career change at 56 is no joke, but I agree that some of the financial stressors have lessened a bit...
Very cool, and helpful video. Thanks so much for this Christian, and for responding directly to my original question. Your vlog has given me plenty to think aboutt, and has helped me clarify the direction I'd like to take my music making in. I've been struggling with some decisions and this has been a big help. I didn't find your vlog negative in the slightest, I actually found it heartwarming, both for the trouble you took to make it, and for your unfiltered honesty. Again, thanks very much.
You should still probably go for it, even in the face of the cliff face in front of you. Who knows, you may be better than you think! I'm of the mindset that it's better to try and fail rather than be 'sensible' and always wonder "what if..."
This genuinely made me feel better, thank you. I wasn't discouraged and giving up, but this video did paint the picture of the future being potentially very bleak.
Wonderful video Christian! Thank you! I sincerely hope that this will make a few people turn arround or re-consider. Not be negative or lower competition, but because of the amount of friends I have seen causeing harm to themselves and those around them by not considering everything you just said. Thanks again for beeing this wonderful influence on our tiny world of mad, dream driven, romantics. ~Merlin
I started being a media composer 6 years ago, but I started to make music for medias consistently since 3 years ago. I started performing in a band and toured my country and overseas 14 years ago. I can say that in my country the competition is not that high compared to UK and US, and it's relatively easier to stand out from the crowd and break into the industry. But I also have seen a very high number of fellow musicians who had to make a U turn and put music as something they enjoy doing, not professionally. That's also important to note, that everyone is responsible for her/his own well being. Not many of us are that lucky to have a collaborative work ethic and have a good communication skills that are very very needed in this realm of music (and media) industry. So as long as we have the skills, the personality and the taste that is needed (just like Christian said), we can go far into it and grow as we go. Other than that, doing whatever thing (not just music) out of love and passion will also take us further, instead of doing it for the money. I try to always do things not only because of the money. If the project enables me to have more friends and gain more skills, then I will certainly take it. If the project enables me to collect more IPs, I will also do it. In fact, for the last 1 year I rarely said no to any project that came my way. But I think I have to figure out a way to delegate some works to more people that I can trust to be able to grow myself both personally and financially.
ah i also work as a producer for single and album projects, and that helps me a lot in expanding my color palette when i work as a media composer, not to mention that it helps me build my branding and my IP portfolio as well.
I too started working life as a baker and changed job professions a lot. Each time I was made redundant I would try music projects that would fizzle out very quickly as I had the doom of the mortgage to pay. You’ve explained the reality brilliantly in your video. I now own my house and have a good job and brill family. Interestingly these days I just enjoy creating music for the pure enjoyment and upload it to the usual music sites and occasionally collaborate. I think you would be top notch presenting a new TV show like Bake Off but for creating a new theme tune to a newly commissioned TV show. I.e “Theme Off” each week a group of music creative wannabes sat a MacBooks with their keyboard composing a track for a show and would be judged after each episode on how their theme was progressing. Just an idea. 👍
Thank you so much for your insights. It's unbelievably helpful to know that I'm not alone in many of the situations you describe. You are making a difference.
Thank you Christian - a master's degree of a post! One thing I wanted to add - I suspect you have many subscribers and customers who are advanced in years and have no desire to be competitors among the many talented people who watch your blog and buy your products. However the wealth of information and the quality of products provided by Spitfire is inspiring to a growing group of hobbyists and amateurs who have good jobs or are winding down non-music careers and are getting back to the things they love music and film. Thanks for sharing with us so generously.
You describe me as if we are in the same room and have known each other for 30 years, Haha. My family were coal miners from Scotland who emigrated to Salt Lake City. By the way, I love this channel, this is my #1 favorite channel on RUclips and I thank you for all the priceless information. Many thanks!
Ok Christian, you asked what we think about this video. Here is my take: This is so brilliant that you should turn it into a featured film (feel free to compose your own music for it) and it should be screened all over the elementary and high schools. So that kids (as well as their parents) understand how important it is make good decisions about what they invest their time into now - because later it might be too late (or too expensive and risky) for them to make significant change. IMO most of what you say is quite general and apply to other high skilled professions too. I am going to send URL link to my kids right now despite they do not know english well enough ATM!
It's tricky though. How many people know what they want to do as adults when they are kids? What I've wanted to do with my life has changed multiple times over the years. I've wanted to be involved with music for about 10 years and have only recently caught the composition bug. In 5-10 years, maybe that will be change too. If I'd invested my time in my earlier desires, I'd now feel like an idiot for wanting to do something else.
I agree, and on top of what you say imagine how many jobs did not exist 20 years ago - it is hard to prepare for a job that does not exist now. Yet, what I wanted to highlight in my original comment was the fact that as kids we have unique opportunity to learn things and build foundation that will last for the rest of our life. Doing it later is a lot more complicated. That is what resonates in me when I watch this Chris' video.
@@simonturner1 So true. I dropped music at school by the time I was 11. I hated it. I also dropped technical drawing because I was so crap at it. Since leaving school (1976) I took up music as a hobby (and still love it) and I am a mechanical design draughtsman by trade.
OMG you just described my last 13 years! I thought the struggle only happens in Chinese music market, now I understand there is no escape, it's universal... Thanks Christian.
Fantastic, brutally honest yet fair and balanced breakdown and industry advice. As a songwriter/producer myself (i'm a pop tart but have dipped my toe into tv comp with the late David Ferguson during my early years) and 20+ years in, I myself have been through the pit-falls and gained a modicum of success, yet still have to navigate an extremely turbulent industry as competition is now fiercer than ever. Kudos to you dude!
Dreaming about being really successful makes 90+ % of all people eventually very unhappy. This is a great realistic video - and also a good vlog on its own, especially the beginning is great paced. It's not like I'm not dreaming anymore, but I do what I like (which is software programming) and while I love music and wanted to be in a band or maybe be a composer/songwriter - and I even wrote tons of songs around 20 years back - it's not going to be my career. It can still be my hobby I can get better at, without any pressure. And on that road we are blessed with many great RUclips channels that help us to learn more - just like this one. Thanks. (BTW: That songwriting wasn't completely without success, girls liked it. So it's not all in vain.)
Christian thanks again for yet another informative and thought provoking vlog. I am very much in the constituency that this vlog is about I'm in my early 50s and I'm attempting to write music for media for the first time. I have been a jobbing muso for 30 years and have managed to support myself through performing, teaching and other music related activities ie copying and arranging. I don't have any kid's but I'm married and have a mortgage. In my situation I do not see this as a career change but a diversification of my current skill sets. However my ambition for this new pursuit is not over ambitious, if in the next few years I do a student short or a corporate video etc then I will have consider that I have succeeded. For me it is about managing my expectations I am acutely aware of the toughness of this business but I don't want to to be deterred by that. The one thing that I don't want to do, is wake up in 20 years time and ask myself, 'I wonder if I could have written music for a moving image?' Is it a bad thing to have very modest ambitions? For me over ambition can be a burden, which at this point in my life I don't think I could carry.
43 years old here, professional organist, choir director, composer... but the only thing I really like to do is make music for media. Have pumped out hundreds of tracks and success has been, lets say, not a complete waste, but honestly almost absolutely nothing. Usually get my tracks accepted with up to media tier libraries, even some tv use but this is a complete jungle of a world. My heart kind of stopped at 3:26 cause even though the reality of things is like you put it, the dream can always continue, and this dream of mine has been going since I was 16. However I always went the safe route, where I could get a job that pays well and that Im pretty good at. I live in Iceland, so I fit your middle age ass living in god knows island faraway in nothing land category, don´t remember the exact wording :). However, one can always get lucky in this business, although hard work is more rewarding. I think today the name of the game is being versatile and to have music all around the place. 100$ a month from spotify, 10$ from soundcloud, 50$ pond5, 40 audiojungle, etc etc etc. These things can add up. Then one needs to keep trying for the high tier libraries, cause if you get in there you are one step nearer to the world of being a media composer. Love your videos although this one kind of but me in a mood... thank you for all the hours you put into helping people like me, are solitary bears trying to come out of their cave.
This is a great video and from my own experience very true. My advice, and what has helped me on my journey as a media composer is also teaching private music lessons. It’s difficult because you essentially then have 2 jobs, but when you’re starting out as a Media composer(for me 15 years ago) the work is not steady enough to make a living. In general as a musician you really have to hustle and the best way to succeed is to be able to do many things. For me, in college I double majored in classical composition and music production. So I’ve made money in Music by engineering, gigging as a drummer, teaching and composing. I’m finally reaching a point where I can make a living just composing, but yeah it really did take 15 years of hours and hours of work. There is a lot of experience and practice involved at the beginning which means doing short student films for low or no pay, lots of growing pains. But my advice, and Christian is a great example of this, diversify within the industry, try and teach or gig if you can, while you are getting your composing chops up!
Working as a creative is so hard (and many people don't and won't realise how hard you have to work to make things a success). I studied music at college and university before accidentally falling into teaching in music and music technology. I got to my late 30s and wanted to do something else and I picked up a dslr and suddenly had a whole new lease of life. I worked hard, I made mistakes but I met good people. These people I'd work for (often for free or a small fee) but they helped me to build up a portfolio and also develop my network. Gradually my work built up more and more and I developed a niche that has given me good regular work. A couple of years ago I took a sabbatical to see if I could make a go of things and thankfully it was successful and I now work full-time doing stills. video and music (and those three areas interact quite nicely). As Christian and others have said this industry is hard work with lots of risks and pitfalls. Be nice to people, turn up on time, do the job to the best of your abilities and turn it round for your clients as quickly as possible and know the value of your work and where you fit in within the sector. It takes a long time (it took me 10 years to do two jobs and manage the stress of doing two jobs on a couple of hours sleep a night) but find people who you can work for and can help you. Find an area you can stick out in and keep your options open.
Christian. Great wisdom in this one. Your warning to be careful about what you wish for (combining the things you love into a career) is critical. Your view that middle-aged people have a responsibility to plan rather than hope and dream is true. Why would you not deploy the experience and skills gained across a career? But equally, emerging composers, whether writing songs or writing scores (or perhaps having written something in the past that they still cling to) are dreamers. Regardless of age, we dream of being more, of self-actualising. Writing a successful song, writing a successful film score, being recognised for our talent. Your efforts to keep us right in terms of understanding the constraints out there are really valuable.
Thanks, Christian, for the honesty and the (as always) insight. I'm fifty, now, and have been a part-time musician for my whole life (teacher of English, as well) and I have always seen anything that comes from music as a bonus. My gigging supports my home studio purchases (leaving family money for the family and leaving me guilt-free). I suppose I have never considered dropping what I am doing to change careers, but neither have I given up on the hope that something "big" could happen in time. (I did score a well-reviewed independent film in 1997 and some connections from that film are still making movies, so, who knows...) But your most important point is about family. If something happens, great, but I have made my choices and come to this point as a dad and as a husband. It just so happens that I cannot stop writing music. For me, that comes first, so the pains of seeing it "become a job" are something I have always dreaded. (My dad, an orchestrater and arranger, used to beg me to keep music for myself and not make it a career for just that reason.) At this point in life, I am good with composing and hoping (and, of course, submitting shit tons of music to libraries). But, if it all ends in my puttering in my home studio and releasing videos to RUclips, that's great, too. Thanks again.
Brilliant video and although it might all sound a bit grim, I think the views that you put in are very much grounded in reality. And the presentation is fab. Thanks Christian 😊
This entire video was amazing, your editing has gotten so great through the last 95 films, also, thanks for being honest with us, not too common these days on this site.
As a gigging musician it's quite tough seeing 'pub' way at the bottom of the list.. But depending on the gig, it can really be quite satisfying entertaining people and making them happy
Simon Gregory I must confess my nose was slightly pushed out of joint with that one and I would argue that the craft of having to entertain and engage with a live audience is not as lowly as some people may think. In fact, I've seen far better musicians than I am fail miserably because they lack the right skills - horses for courses?
A painfully honest video that touches a few nerves. I work mainly in theatre & dance & have fantasies of being a media composer where I get paid enough to afford a Smythson briefcase & maybe work more from home but after hitting 50 I’m beginning to be more realistic about those unacted upon ambitions & become thankful for where I am on the food chain. Also great to call out the narcissists & make their behaviour unacceptable as with all power abusing relationships!
I have watched this video so many times. And Christian is spot on!! I worked in a studio in the late 80’s (best job I have ever had but worst paid too!!). Was eventually pressured into getting a ‘proper job’ and move into an industry that I am still in 30 years later. One which I hate!! I continue to do music as a side line which earns me a bit on the side. I would love to make it my full time job again but wife, mortgage, kids and my sanity make this sadly a pipe-dream. Christian hit the nail on the head in his opening remarks. When I was younger, I would play my keyboards in every waking hour (I’m sure it drove my parents mad!!) however, when I did it for a job I stop playing for fun which was the bit I most enjoyed.
Brilliant. I started scoring films about 6 years ago and have a wife and kid. I did not see this as negative at all! It's absolutely realistic. +1 on all counts.
Great Video Christian! Its honest and to the point. If you want to calve a career you have to adapt, its crucial. I started out at about 26/27 after working in retail and playing in bands (Which I thought was pretty late) Now Im 31. I make a living now but I have different revenue streams which again was me adapting . I write music and audio design for Museum installations, Short Films (Still not a feature film), I have written stuff for documentaries, Lots of regular corporate clients. I also teach drums and have a regular musical director position for a pantomime. It has been and still is a HUGE challenge! For every email or phone call, expect 5 or 10 responses saying "Thanks but No Thanks" .Having said that, I have been lucky and have a very supportive family. My advice to anyone would be learn to love struggle and use it as inspiration.
Just became a subscriber. I have loved all of Christian's videos except for this one. I'm just a guy doing this for fun, but I have to say, no matter what your age, and as long as you love music for music's sake, go for it. Yeah, you may not score the next Nolan film or TV show, but you might have some creative fun with some other folks making an indie or something and have fun in your community and grow as an artist. It's a personal journey. While I understand where he is coming from to a certain degree, whenever someone tells me I can't do something, I tend to go for it. Guess I'm rebellious that way.
I work 7 days a week constantly in order to make something of a living as a composer. You really do need to love composing and also to be able to diversify and be willing to learn learn learn constantly !
Christian... I think it would be amazing if you did a quick tutorial on how to felt a piano as I’m sure there are plenty of people out there (myself included) who would love to know how to get the most out of it, love your work!
As a young'un (just 17) with a burning desire to make it in this industry and a healthy amount of the qualities you describe as necessary, this vlog has given me a lot of hope, as well as determination to keep on this path in addition to CS. Thanks.
Learn, learn, learn, learn, learn everything you can. Experiment, play, fuck up, fail, make interesting mistakes, analyse the shit out of everything you like. Analyse the shit out of everything you hate. Work out why mediocre stuff isn’t brilliant. Aim of perfection and brilliance, but throw the towel in when the time runs out. Keep going going going, and don’t be swayed off the path. Every now and then test the waters to check you’re not deluding yourself. Admit your mistakes, but always figure out the lesson. Rank your own work so that you start to develop taste, discernment, self-critique but NEVER self-criticism. Adopt the mantra “everything I do is shit, but I’m a genius so I can fix it”. Edit out all the ho-hum stuff, so you’re only left with gold. Work out why your inspired genius fucking A moments are SO good and why the other parts are just filler, and then see what clues the fucking A stuff can give you for elevating the rest. Collaborate with mad people. Do work for free with interesting people, until it’s time to say fuck it, I cost a shit load and you’re paying me. And just keep going, playing, experimenting. Buy lots of cheap stuff and learn the hell out of them. Cut up tape and make loops of your favourite classical music motifs and figures. Listen to music you hate or can’t stomach or that leaves you cold, but is acclaimed by others to stretch your tastes and appreciation, but stick to your guns. Write a list of musical pieces that you’re embarrassed to like and see what clues they give to you about what your true voice might be. And, yeah... make the most of being young, it’s a huge resource - time, fresh perspective, energy and resilience. Make a habit of those things. And soar......
Hi Christian. A wonderfully useful and entertaining video, as always. Something I have been battling with for a while is finding my 'sound' - that aspect of my music that makes me unique and (hopefully) sellable. I'd be so interested to hear about your journey to finding your sound. How would you describe your USP as a media composer? Asside from your obvious professionalism, hard work, experience and ease to work with, what aspect of your music do filmmakers that employ you tend to be most interested in?
Thanks for this Christian. Your flowchart of the parallel Pop and Media Composer career tracks makes so much sense. I'm curious how you feel about the trailer game. I know it's probably lumped in the category of Ads but it seems like a) still can pay well b) production value is high c) comes with a bit more prestige than say, a car commercial. Obviously an incredibly competitive field, but do you think there's potential for upward mobility in the industry for someone who's landed some movie trailers?
And that’s why I looked at the big picture, early 30’s working as a barista while doing production music and starting to sell small sample libraries.... and bought the coffee shop I worked for. Eases the financial pressure somewhat while leaving time to work on projects.
Oh Christian,your timing is perfect. Here I am a 72 year old ex pro musician,having one last go at Songwriting as a career. My problem is in a past life I had a publishing contract with Island Music which being recognised by a publisher meant to me, that a had the goods. So I thought,but not so fast!There was also a record deal,big management interest followed by the deal falling through and lots of sulking on my part. I had a job at the Grand Hotel ,Eastbourne with a trio making a very good income and should have dusted myself off and got on with the Art of songwriting during the day.But was to short sighted to see I still had a terrific opportunity to still write Your comments about the amount of time it takes to get anywhere in the music industry are right on. Ever since I heard my musical ideas in my first studio,Teac 4 track,Soundcraft mixer, I was done for. Actually before that.As a singer/ drummer in a 60 s pop group,my first experience in a studio was at Pye recording studios in London! 23 years old,just too exciting!Theres more to the story of course,but Im going off topic. Your videos have been a delight to me.Thanks, as always.Chas Obrien
Really great insight Christian. A variation on a theme, perhaps a part 2, could you weigh up the value of an ‘investment’ in a Composition for Screen course against the use of that money in time for opportunities, gear and other investments? I have an offer to study at RCM from September but am still caught in a financial conundrum
What would you use that degree for if it didn't result in composing for screen? What value does the degree have overall remembering that for scoring to picture connections and experience portfolio are key.... i.e. catch 22.
Depending on your current situation, attending a college/university course could be one of the smartest moves you make. Not because of the piece of paper you'd receive at the end, that amounts to absolutely nothing in this industry (unless you want to teach). And also not really because of what you'll end up learning there as that can be learned on the job and online nowadays, but 100% because of the contacts and network you'll create whilst on the course. I've been working as a "semi" successful media composer for the last 15 years, mainly within the video game industry. By "successful" I mean i'm able to pay the mortgage and live a relatively comfortable family life. In a nutshell, the reason I'm able to do this is because of the people i met whilst studying. Those friends I made, collaborated on student projects with, got pissed with etc etc have turned out to still be the core of my network today, and many other clients I've had since then have been introduced/passed on to me through them. Courses such as the National Film and Television school in the UK design their courses with this in mind, so you'll be meeting and working with the producers, directors, editors, and sound designers of tomorrow. So if you're just starting out, and have got 3 years to "spare", then i would definitely recommend it as a great means of laying the foundations for your career network.
If a 'normal job' would detroy your soul, you may have no choice... but it's a risk, and you have to understand and accept the risk you take. I would go personally.
I appreciate the honesty, here. With any job in any creative field, it's still a *job* and there's going to be a whole lot of bad to go along with the good. Obviously nobody would do this unless they liked making music and putting it to picture, but the serious question you have to ask yourself before entering this field is, "Am I ok with the shitty parts?" Because, if put in all of your time and money and sacrifice and work really hard and all of your dreams come true and you've actually made it to the point where you have a real career, your reward is that you get to do it for the rest of your life.
Just discovered your channel after searching for reviews on Albion V. What an excellent video! I'm far too thin skinned (and people averse) to want to write music for a living, but it was fascinating to get a feel for the reality of what would be involved. Thank you . Subbed :)
I'm in my 40s and just starting at the bottom of the ladder doing student shorts etc part time. I have no mortgage or young kids to support though and realistic ambitions, if I never earn a living I'll still make music because I love it; if it pays for itself it will be a bonus. I spent this weekend hitting my guitar and various kitchen implements making a library after being inspired by this blog (best result was the lid from an egg poacher!) It all depends on your circumstance and ambition, for me positive feedback on the music I make is enough in itself.
Well... I must say, this is much better advice than my old man gave me, when at 17 and an aspiring guitarist his advice was, "Well.... everything sounds like 'thunka-thunka'.
TLM Music Productions I can relate to this. I started teaching after Music school and I now divide my time between Media composition and teaching, I’m teaching less now because the composing is finally starting to take off, but teaching is a great option for paying the bills whilst your trying to get your dream off the ground!!
Thank you for this vlog. For me, it is not depressing at all. It pushes me even further. btw..there is a very famous composer who once said "There is no Plan B"
I've watched videos like this yet something really hit me close with the truth and a fucking tear breaks. Wtf right? Well, as I got older I avoided ever getting too close and freaking out before the point of marriages ... because my passions came first, even before career. Now I'm at the age where all I have is music on hard-drives, books never shared, and now to finally realize I have nothing of value in this world of mine. Still, thanks for the chat.
This vid makes reminds me to do it all FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC. In this biz, we if romanticize too much we are bound to get a slap in face. Money is still money...nothing easy when it comes to money.
Another fantastic vlog Christian! As a female composer currently popping out children whilst also tying to maintain her position in the industry, I couldn’t agree more with what you say. I’d also have a heck of a lot of advice for people who try to balance family life with work especially as a female. There’s unfortunately a sad reason for it being a male dominated industry! Really enjoy your vlogs!
Just picked this up - what a great video Christian - not many people are getting the facts out there in the way you have done here today - much more than just a warts n' all reflection on the industry.. Keep up the excellent work.
As an extension, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on a fellow 'jack of all trades' musician (mostly working as a freelance instrumentalist - bands/musicals/tours/cruise ships! etc) who perhaps doesn't wish to consciously dive straight into to 'Media Composer' territory but would love to supplement their income with the odd sync here and there or otherwise make use of some standalone tracks that have been more a labour of love rather than productive workflow. Always worked in music and with good home production setup etc Would welcome your thoughts!
Know what you want to get out of it before you get in..... if you can. For me, Media composition is a 2nd (Part-time) career, and was always planned this way. Background: 37 year old ex pat living in the USA. Started a home based recording studio (Been engineering for over 15 years), mainly recording VO's for short films, indie's radio etc, but really saw the income in industrial video narration and the odd pop record recording, so thats where i'm currently aiming my services to be the master at that area. I'm an engineer by (part-time) trade, can't play music very well, but I can by ear, and have recorded 3 film scores so far. My business plan (CRITICAL) was to be able to have another income stream, not be or replace my primary income source, and that has by in large worked out wonderfully. I only grossed about $15,000 last year but for something that is the next level above being just a hobby, it isn't bad at all. You have to be a realist in this game. Every point Christian made in the video is spot on. I knew that I would likely never achieve a full time career in media composition, so i ensured my plan B was in place. I try to find the time to do this in a sliver of whatever time I have between wife, kids, etc. I dont know what the future holds for me personally, but If I can continue to gross what I have the past few years, i'll have achieved my goals, comforted with the thought that while i'm not able to play in the park full-time with the cool kids, i'm able to on occasion, and make some money off of it..... and this ticked both boxes of both being a childhood dream, and my aspirations of earning something from an activity that I love to do.
excellent, if also slightly depressing. i would be very interested in seeing a video about making effective library music and strategies to maximise income from it.
Brilliant as ever Christian. Composer at middle age? Not likely is it given the connections you'd need to have and well, sheer out-and-and luck of the devil. Clint Mansell (from my home town btw) got his break from basically finding himself penniless in New York but by having the good fortune to know & be put up by Trent Reznor. The rest is history as they say. It's taking those life-defining gambles that you can only really do with time (i.e youth) on your side.
well, my sole credential is that i can do a pretty tasty rendition of Avril 14th on my 7/8 classical and any pianee. will i be able to get a job interview? also, who ever is considering.. i have the utmost admiration for your work. yours sincerely
Christian Henson Music haha Just kidding... Question: How do you manage your time with your children vs work? I am all that you mention in your video (kids, wife mortgage etc) whilst running a small business (nothing to do with music sadly) and always feel my family get less and less time with me. Do you have advise on how to juggle it all?
One question for all of you professional composers: How did you get your first jobs? Was it by knocking on a producers/directors door? Was it someone who knew your music and thought you would do really good scores? Or was it other kind of connections that started it all off?
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With my current state of life, I look to be an 85% Investment Banker, 10% musician, and 5% composer. However, with 25 years loving music, 10 years of violin playing along with orchestras and bands. I'd hope to turn that around.
I finally saved enough to invest in music education and assets. And I'm finally releasing my first written orchestration this month thanks to Spitfire's BBCSO Discover (got it for free via survey and waiting for two weeks). I'm also turning 26 years old this month by the way. So this release is sort of a birthday gift to myself :D
Thank you Christian and Spitfire Team for helping people fight for such crazy, yet wonder-filled musical dreams.
I am going for 42, with dependants and a mortgage. And still I want to make it in the industry, despite this magnificent video of yours, all the difficulties, the incredibly sheer competition, the fact that I could get even more stressed than what I get as a software developer, and I could go on forever. I cannot live without music, I was born a pianist, musically speaking, and have played keyboards in bands, as well as arranging said bands' songs. Sure, I am still an ignorant in many respects, but I know a few things and am a fast learner, and I know I will succeed. Please, Christian, keep hitting us on our heads, reminding us middle-aged and older people how difficult this industry is. Cheers!
This is gold!! Thank you for so honestly sharing your talent & wisdom...and, your videos are very entertaining to watch!
This is an incredibly assembled and accurate film for anyone starting out. As someone who does it full-time; in my opinion there's more useful, practical and insightful employment advice and industry-related content condensed into these 20 minutes than there is in most 3-year university courses dealing with music for media. Brilliant.
Steven Wilson said it well recently (for musicians, but I would say this for MCs as well) - don’t plan on making it a career; make music because you like making music, and if it turns out to be a part or full time career, even better. That way, you’ll never be disappointed
Jure Jerebic that's a great quote, but I just can't find it. Where did he talk about that?
Good Lord, Christian. You are so incredibly generous on this channel, it sometimes makes me feel selfish just to watch your films. Thank you for sharing your knowledge (and all your talents) with the world.
5-year-old me: “I’m gonna’ be a film composer when I grow up!”
46-year-old me: I was MADE to be a HOD!!
I started my journey as a media composer after an almost 20 year long career as a full time working NYC keyboard player. So i started at it when i was about 40. It was difficult at that age to take a pay cut for 5 years or so (playing part time) while i got on with it but after 15 years of this journey, for me, it was well worth it as i love doing this much more than sitting in the pit of a show playing the same music over and over again. I did know how to sequence before i started (Studio Vision Pro) and had made contacts as a player from playing sessions and meeting musicians over the time i was a player that helped the transition.
Amazing! This is very encouraging to me, as I'm in the same boat - 10 years as an orchestral player, got sick and tired of it, and am now trying to build a new career as a media composer at the tender age of 42.
Difficult to be an orchestral player in this day and age. Good luck!
I remember Studio Vision Pro! It was my first software sequencer. I'm starting to make that transition myself after 20+ year career as a avant jazz French Horn player (I know, I know...) that ended when I developed Focal Dystonia of the Embouchure. Tough to keep the faith as I approach 60, though!
I highly respect you and take your words of wisdom on board with every video. And here I am 52 and in year 2 of chasing the composing career. So your opening monologue rained on my parade big time, to say the least! Thankfully at this point there are no kids and so I can devote all the time outside the day job to composing. Yes, I think I'm talented and have good taste! And I'm a people person! Needless to say I know I need to get on the fast track if I want to break the 10-15 year period before earning. I've had a modicum of success so far and its only the beginning of year 2. I've just pitched for my first short film (which is one of 3 goals this year that includes a console game). Lofty goals? Yes, but hey, I'm having a blast trying to achieve them. Thanks for these vlogs they are really inspiring.
I’m always interested in this sort of comment - what did the next three years look like after you wrote this?
@@Superdelphinus Hey, I appreciate the interest. So three years on and I'm getting TV placements via a music library I write for. I want to find a couple more to write for as finding the right library is a bit of a crap shoot. That's going to be the area of focus for the next year (I look at synchs as my potential retirement fund!). Writing for video games hasn't taken off as quickly as I thought or hoped but I am still working with the same game dev I had initial success with - MONITOR the game won the Games Developer World Championship in 2017 and is available on STEAM.
Those are such fantastic advices that I’m going to ignore them all! ;) oh, maybe except the business plan one!
Thanks for sharing your experience. It was insightful. I'm 59 and just getting into media composition. I'm looking forward to the challenge.
Real talk! Thanks very much for insight and willingness to share and educate!
"I've never dreaded a middle eight more than this"... Classic Mr Henson!
As one of your target audience for advice (mid-50's, looking to make media composition my second career), I actually found this vlogmore uplifting than you might imagine. If you have had kids in your twenties and thirties, then they are now in their twenties, been through education, out the other side, making meaningful relationships, maybe looking to get married (in short, have become adults themselves), no longer your responsibility every waking moment. Depending on how often you moved, maybe coming towards the end of a mortgage (or accepting that you will never own a house and will rent forever), payments less of an issue. So financial demands are become less than those, say, in your forties.
And the list of questions that you pose that helps to tip the balance away from the impossibility of suddenly becoming a concert violinist at the age of twenty towards Ad Man, most of those I can answer 'yes' to. I'm not sure about your question "are you close to a media hub?" - I live (like you) in Edinburgh, which feels like it should or could become one, but not yet, and I have ties here that mean I don't want to move away - but most of the rest of the answers are either "the hell, yes" or at least "well, not bad"...
At the moment, my main challenge is "what can I do that people will pay me enough money to live off, without dipping into savings?". Still working on that one. But your grumpy vlog has bizarrely given me hope. Thank you.
Good points about the differences between 40s and 50s! A forced career change at 56 is no joke, but I agree that some of the financial stressors have lessened a bit...
Very cool, and helpful video. Thanks so much for this Christian, and for responding directly to my original question. Your vlog has given me plenty to think aboutt, and has helped me clarify the direction I'd like to take my music making in. I've been struggling with some decisions and this has been a big help. I didn't find your vlog negative in the slightest, I actually found it heartwarming, both for the trouble you took to make it, and for your unfiltered honesty. Again, thanks very much.
This was an absolutely perfect video for me. Thank you for the candid advice.
I feel really down now. Happens every time I'm faced with the reality of this industry. Thanks again Christian for your honesty.
8O(
You should still probably go for it, even in the face of the cliff face in front of you. Who knows, you may be better than you think! I'm of the mindset that it's better to try and fail rather than be 'sensible' and always wonder "what if..."
This genuinely made me feel better, thank you. I wasn't discouraged and giving up, but this video did paint the picture of the future being potentially very bleak.
Just buckets full of truth here!! I couldn't agree MORE with all of this. Bravo Christian!!
Every syllable of this is solid gold. Thank you, Christian.
Wonderful video Christian! Thank you! I sincerely hope that this will make a few people turn arround or re-consider. Not be negative or lower competition, but because of the amount of friends I have seen causeing harm to themselves and those around them by not considering everything you just said. Thanks again for beeing this wonderful influence on our tiny world of mad, dream driven, romantics.
~Merlin
I started being a media composer 6 years ago, but I started to make music for medias consistently since 3 years ago. I started performing in a band and toured my country and overseas 14 years ago. I can say that in my country the competition is not that high compared to UK and US, and it's relatively easier to stand out from the crowd and break into the industry. But I also have seen a very high number of fellow musicians who had to make a U turn and put music as something they enjoy doing, not professionally. That's also important to note, that everyone is responsible for her/his own well being. Not many of us are that lucky to have a collaborative work ethic and have a good communication skills that are very very needed in this realm of music (and media) industry.
So as long as we have the skills, the personality and the taste that is needed (just like Christian said), we can go far into it and grow as we go. Other than that, doing whatever thing (not just music) out of love and passion will also take us further, instead of doing it for the money.
I try to always do things not only because of the money. If the project enables me to have more friends and gain more skills, then I will certainly take it. If the project enables me to collect more IPs, I will also do it. In fact, for the last 1 year I rarely said no to any project that came my way. But I think I have to figure out a way to delegate some works to more people that I can trust to be able to grow myself both personally and financially.
ah i also work as a producer for single and album projects, and that helps me a lot in expanding my color palette when i work as a media composer, not to mention that it helps me build my branding and my IP portfolio as well.
I too started working life as a baker and changed job professions a lot. Each time I was made redundant I would try music projects that would fizzle out very quickly as I had the doom of the mortgage to pay. You’ve explained the reality brilliantly in your video. I now own my house and have a good job and brill family. Interestingly these days I just enjoy creating music for the pure enjoyment and upload it to the usual music sites and occasionally collaborate. I think you would be top notch presenting a new TV show like Bake Off but for creating a new theme tune to a newly commissioned TV show. I.e “Theme Off” each week a group of music creative wannabes sat a MacBooks with their keyboard composing a track for a show and would be judged after each episode on how their theme was progressing. Just an idea. 👍
Nick P
That is a great idea. I don't watch those kind of shows normally but I would watch that one!
Excellent ! What a good job, not only insightful in your industry but I know this is true of
other creative careers.
Thank you so much for your insights. It's unbelievably helpful to know that I'm not alone in many of the situations you describe. You are making a difference.
My favorite part of the video was how good those lights looked on those synths!
Thank you Christian - a master's degree of a post! One thing I wanted to add - I suspect you have many subscribers and customers who are advanced in years and have no desire to be competitors among the many talented people who watch your blog and buy your products. However the wealth of information and the quality of products provided by Spitfire is inspiring to a growing group of hobbyists and amateurs who have good jobs or are winding down non-music careers and are getting back to the things they love music and film. Thanks for sharing with us so generously.
You describe me as if we are in the same room and have known each other for 30 years, Haha. My family were coal miners from Scotland who emigrated to Salt Lake City. By the way, I love this channel, this is my #1 favorite channel on RUclips and I thank you for all the priceless information. Many thanks!
Ok Christian, you asked what we think about this video. Here is my take: This is so brilliant that you should turn it into a featured film (feel free to compose your own music for it) and it should be screened all over the elementary and high schools. So that kids (as well as their parents) understand how important it is make good decisions about what they invest their time into now - because later it might be too late (or too expensive and risky) for them to make significant change.
IMO most of what you say is quite general and apply to other high skilled professions too. I am going to send URL link to my kids right now despite they do not know english well enough ATM!
It's tricky though. How many people know what they want to do as adults when they are kids? What I've wanted to do with my life has changed multiple times over the years. I've wanted to be involved with music for about 10 years and have only recently caught the composition bug. In 5-10 years, maybe that will be change too. If I'd invested my time in my earlier desires, I'd now feel like an idiot for wanting to do something else.
I agree, and on top of what you say imagine how many jobs did not exist 20 years ago - it is hard to prepare for a job that does not exist now. Yet, what I wanted to highlight in my original comment was the fact that as kids we have unique opportunity to learn things and build foundation that will last for the rest of our life. Doing it later is a lot more complicated. That is what resonates in me when I watch this Chris' video.
@@simonturner1 So true.
I dropped music at school by the time I was 11. I hated it.
I also dropped technical drawing because I was so crap at it.
Since leaving school (1976) I took up music as a hobby (and still love it) and I am a mechanical design draughtsman by trade.
Thanks Christian. Timely and much appreciated.
OMG you just described my last 13 years! I thought the struggle only happens in Chinese music market, now I understand there is no escape, it's universal... Thanks Christian.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit in the face." ~ Mike Tyson
Fantastic, brutally honest yet fair and balanced breakdown and industry advice. As a songwriter/producer myself (i'm a pop tart but have dipped my toe into tv comp with the late David Ferguson during my early years) and 20+ years in, I myself have been through the pit-falls and gained a modicum of success, yet still have to navigate an extremely turbulent industry as competition is now fiercer than ever. Kudos to you dude!
Excellent insight and advice.
Dreaming about being really successful makes 90+ % of all people eventually very unhappy. This is a great realistic video - and also a good vlog on its own, especially the beginning is great paced.
It's not like I'm not dreaming anymore, but I do what I like (which is software programming) and while I love music and wanted to be in a band or maybe be a composer/songwriter - and I even wrote tons of songs around 20 years back - it's not going to be my career. It can still be my hobby I can get better at, without any pressure. And on that road we are blessed with many great RUclips channels that help us to learn more - just like this one. Thanks. (BTW: That songwriting wasn't completely without success, girls liked it. So it's not all in vain.)
Christian thanks again for yet another informative and thought provoking vlog.
I am very much in the constituency that this vlog is about I'm in my early 50s and I'm attempting to write music for media for the first time.
I have been a jobbing muso for 30 years and have managed to support myself through performing, teaching and other music related activities ie copying and arranging. I don't have any kid's but I'm married and have a mortgage.
In my situation I do not see this as a career change but a diversification of my current skill sets. However my ambition for this new pursuit is not over ambitious, if in the next few years I do a student short or a corporate video etc then I will have consider that I have succeeded.
For me it is about managing my expectations I am acutely aware of the toughness of this business but I don't want to to be deterred by that.
The one thing that I don't want to do, is wake up in 20 years time and ask myself, 'I wonder if I could have written music for a moving image?'
Is it a bad thing to have very modest ambitions? For me over ambition can be a burden, which at this point in my life I don't think I could carry.
43 years old here, professional organist, choir director, composer... but the only thing I really like to do is make music for media. Have pumped out hundreds of tracks and success has been, lets say, not a complete waste, but honestly almost absolutely nothing. Usually get my tracks accepted with up to media tier libraries, even some tv use but this is a complete jungle of a world. My heart kind of stopped at 3:26 cause even though the reality of things is like you put it, the dream can always continue, and this dream of mine has been going since I was 16. However I always went the safe route, where I could get a job that pays well and that Im pretty good at. I live in Iceland, so I fit your middle age ass living in god knows island faraway in nothing land category, don´t remember the exact wording :). However, one can always get lucky in this business, although hard work is more rewarding. I think today the name of the game is being versatile and to have music all around the place. 100$ a month from spotify, 10$ from soundcloud, 50$ pond5, 40 audiojungle, etc etc etc. These things can add up. Then one needs to keep trying for the high tier libraries, cause if you get in there you are one step nearer to the world of being a media composer. Love your videos although this one kind of but me in a mood... thank you for all the hours you put into helping people like me, are solitary bears trying to come out of their cave.
Somebody give this man a medal for 'Real Talk'... Great (grumpy) video.
This is a great video and from my own experience very true. My advice, and what has helped me on my journey as a media composer is also teaching private music lessons. It’s difficult because you essentially then have 2 jobs, but when you’re starting out as a Media composer(for me 15 years ago) the work is not steady enough to make a living. In general as a musician you really have to hustle and the best way to succeed is to be able to do many things. For me, in college I double majored in classical composition and music production. So I’ve made money in Music by engineering, gigging as a drummer, teaching and composing. I’m finally reaching a point where I can make a living just composing, but yeah it really did take 15 years of hours and hours of work. There is a lot of experience and practice involved at the beginning which means doing short student films for low or no pay, lots of growing pains. But my advice, and Christian is a great example of this, diversify within the industry, try and teach or gig if you can, while you are getting your composing chops up!
Working as a creative is so hard (and many people don't and won't realise how hard you have to work to make things a success). I studied music at college and university before accidentally falling into teaching in music and music technology. I got to my late 30s and wanted to do something else and I picked up a dslr and suddenly had a whole new lease of life. I worked hard, I made mistakes but I met good people. These people I'd work for (often for free or a small fee) but they helped me to build up a portfolio and also develop my network. Gradually my work built up more and more and I developed a niche that has given me good regular work. A couple of years ago I took a sabbatical to see if I could make a go of things and thankfully it was successful and I now work full-time doing stills. video and music (and those three areas interact quite nicely).
As Christian and others have said this industry is hard work with lots of risks and pitfalls. Be nice to people, turn up on time, do the job to the best of your abilities and turn it round for your clients as quickly as possible and know the value of your work and where you fit in within the sector. It takes a long time (it took me 10 years to do two jobs and manage the stress of doing two jobs on a couple of hours sleep a night) but find people who you can work for and can help you. Find an area you can stick out in and keep your options open.
Gotta love the honesty. Great video.
Christian. Great wisdom in this one. Your warning to be careful about what you wish for (combining the things you love into a career) is critical. Your view that middle-aged people have a responsibility to plan rather than hope and dream is true. Why would you not deploy the experience and skills gained across a career? But equally, emerging composers, whether writing songs or writing scores (or perhaps having written something in the past that they still cling to) are dreamers. Regardless of age, we dream of being more, of self-actualising. Writing a successful song, writing a successful film score, being recognised for our talent. Your efforts to keep us right in terms of understanding the constraints out there are really valuable.
I'm only 5 minutes in & it's already the best "state of the union" that you've done thus far.
Thanks, Christian, for the honesty and the (as always) insight. I'm fifty, now, and have been a part-time musician for my whole life (teacher of English, as well) and I have always seen anything that comes from music as a bonus. My gigging supports my home studio purchases (leaving family money for the family and leaving me guilt-free). I suppose I have never considered dropping what I am doing to change careers, but neither have I given up on the hope that something "big" could happen in time. (I did score a well-reviewed independent film in 1997 and some connections from that film are still making movies, so, who knows...) But your most important point is about family. If something happens, great, but I have made my choices and come to this point as a dad and as a husband. It just so happens that I cannot stop writing music. For me, that comes first, so the pains of seeing it "become a job" are something I have always dreaded. (My dad, an orchestrater and arranger, used to beg me to keep music for myself and not make it a career for just that reason.) At this point in life, I am good with composing and hoping (and, of course, submitting shit tons of music to libraries). But, if it all ends in my puttering in my home studio and releasing videos to RUclips, that's great, too. Thanks again.
Brilliant video and although it might all sound a bit grim, I think the views that you put in are very much grounded in reality. And the presentation is fab. Thanks Christian 😊
This entire video was amazing, your editing has gotten so great through the last 95 films, also, thanks for being honest with us, not too common these days on this site.
Thank you Christian. Your honesty is appreciated and refreshing. Now time to get back to work! Looking forward to the next one.
As a gigging musician it's quite tough seeing 'pub' way at the bottom of the list.. But depending on the gig, it can really be quite satisfying entertaining people and making them happy
Simon Gregory I must confess my nose was slightly pushed out of joint with that one and I would argue that the craft of having to entertain and engage with a live audience is not as lowly as some people may think. In fact, I've seen far better musicians than I am fail miserably because they lack the right skills - horses for courses?
Going to have to trawl through the IMDb to find out who THAT director is...
A painfully honest video that touches a few nerves. I work mainly in theatre & dance & have fantasies of being a media composer where I get paid enough to afford a Smythson briefcase & maybe work more from home but after hitting 50 I’m beginning to be more realistic about those unacted upon ambitions & become thankful for where I am on the food chain. Also great to call out the narcissists & make their behaviour unacceptable as with all power abusing relationships!
Such a great video Christian. Love the reality check you are giving us.
I have watched this video so many times. And Christian is spot on!! I worked in a studio in the late 80’s (best job I have ever had but worst paid too!!). Was eventually pressured into getting a ‘proper job’ and move into an industry that I am still in 30 years later. One which I hate!! I continue to do music as a side line which earns me a bit on the side. I would love to make it my full time job again but wife, mortgage, kids and my sanity make this sadly a pipe-dream. Christian hit the nail on the head in his opening remarks. When I was younger, I would play my keyboards in every waking hour (I’m sure it drove my parents mad!!) however, when I did it for a job I stop playing for fun which was the bit I most enjoyed.
Brilliant. I started scoring films about 6 years ago and have a wife and kid. I did not see this as negative at all! It's absolutely realistic. +1 on all counts.
Great Video Christian! Its honest and to the point. If you want to calve a career you have to adapt, its crucial. I started out at about 26/27 after working in retail and playing in bands (Which I thought was pretty late) Now Im 31. I make a living now but I have different revenue streams which again was me adapting . I write music and audio design for Museum installations, Short Films (Still not a feature film), I have written stuff for documentaries, Lots of regular corporate clients. I also teach drums and have a regular musical director position for a pantomime. It has been and still is a HUGE challenge! For every email or phone call, expect 5 or 10 responses saying "Thanks but No Thanks" .Having said that, I have been lucky and have a very supportive family. My advice to anyone would be learn to love struggle and use it as inspiration.
Really GREAT work.
Just became a subscriber. I have loved all of Christian's videos except for this one. I'm just a guy doing this for fun, but I have to say, no matter what your age, and as long as you love music for music's sake, go for it. Yeah, you may not score the next Nolan film or TV show, but you might have some creative fun with some other folks making an indie or something and have fun in your community and grow as an artist. It's a personal journey. While I understand where he is coming from to a certain degree, whenever someone tells me I can't do something, I tend to go for it. Guess I'm rebellious that way.
I work 7 days a week constantly in order to make something of a living as a composer. You really do need to love composing and also to be able to diversify and be willing to learn learn learn constantly !
Spot on Christian, excellent vlog. Again...
what a great video, thanks ! Liked , subscribed, shared !
Thank you Mr Henson. Where are people asking these questions? Where's the best place to submit them?
Here I believe. I don't imagine his PA being too impressed with a barage of questions relating to his vlogs.
Haha! No I don't suppose they would.
I'm wondering if he would consider a closed Facebook group so we could ask specific questions and help each other out.
Christian... I think it would be amazing if you did a quick tutorial on how to felt a piano as I’m sure there are plenty of people out there (myself included) who would love to know how to get the most out of it, love your work!
As a young'un (just 17) with a burning desire to make it in this industry and a healthy amount of the qualities you describe as necessary, this vlog has given me a lot of hope, as well as determination to keep on this path in addition to CS.
Thanks.
Learn, learn, learn, learn, learn everything you can. Experiment, play, fuck up, fail, make interesting mistakes, analyse the shit out of everything you like. Analyse the shit out of everything you hate. Work out why mediocre stuff isn’t brilliant. Aim of perfection and brilliance, but throw the towel in when the time runs out. Keep going going going, and don’t be swayed off the path. Every now and then test the waters to check you’re not deluding yourself. Admit your mistakes, but always figure out the lesson. Rank your own work so that you start to develop taste, discernment, self-critique but NEVER self-criticism. Adopt the mantra “everything I do is shit, but I’m a genius so I can fix it”. Edit out all the ho-hum stuff, so you’re only left with gold. Work out why your inspired genius fucking A moments are SO good and why the other parts are just filler, and then see what clues the fucking A stuff can give you for elevating the rest. Collaborate with mad people. Do work for free with interesting people, until it’s time to say fuck it, I cost a shit load and you’re paying me. And just keep going, playing, experimenting. Buy lots of cheap stuff and learn the hell out of them. Cut up tape and make loops of your favourite classical music motifs and figures. Listen to music you hate or can’t stomach or that leaves you cold, but is acclaimed by others to stretch your tastes and appreciation, but stick to your guns. Write a list of musical pieces that you’re embarrassed to like and see what clues they give to you about what your true voice might be. And, yeah... make the most of being young, it’s a huge resource - time, fresh perspective, energy and resilience. Make a habit of those things. And soar......
Respect, Christian!. YOU in the real world ROCK!.
Hi Christian. A wonderfully useful and entertaining video, as always. Something I have been battling with for a while is finding my 'sound' - that aspect of my music that makes me unique and (hopefully) sellable. I'd be so interested to hear about your journey to finding your sound. How would you describe your USP as a media composer? Asside from your obvious professionalism, hard work, experience and ease to work with, what aspect of your music do filmmakers that employ you tend to be most interested in?
Thanks for this Christian. Your flowchart of the parallel Pop and Media Composer career tracks makes so much sense. I'm curious how you feel about the trailer game. I know it's probably lumped in the category of Ads but it seems like a) still can pay well b) production value is high c) comes with a bit more prestige than say, a car commercial. Obviously an incredibly competitive field, but do you think there's potential for upward mobility in the industry for someone who's landed some movie trailers?
This vlog made my day. Thank you.
Great video! Feel really identified by this topic
21:40 Ha! I never knew what that "bell" symbol was for! Learn something new, every day. D'oh!
And that’s why I looked at the big picture, early 30’s working as a barista while doing production music and starting to sell small sample libraries.... and bought the coffee shop I worked for. Eases the financial pressure somewhat while leaving time to work on projects.
viralempire i think you have mentioned something that I touched on but wasn’t explicit about and is a very refreshing story!
Nothing wrong with a good old belly ache if it achieves the desired out come. Well done, nothing wrong with being honest, humorous and human.
Absolutely bang on Christian. Bang. On.
Oh Christian,your timing is perfect.
Here I am a 72 year old ex pro musician,having one last go at Songwriting as a career.
My problem is in a past life I had a publishing contract with Island Music which being recognised by a publisher meant to me, that a had the goods.
So I thought,but not so fast!There was also a record deal,big management interest followed by the deal falling through and lots of sulking on my part.
I had a job at the Grand Hotel ,Eastbourne with a trio making a very good income and should have dusted myself off and
got on with the Art of songwriting during the day.But was to short sighted to see I still had a terrific opportunity to still write
Your comments about the amount of time it takes to get anywhere in the music industry are right on.
Ever since I heard my musical ideas in my first studio,Teac 4 track,Soundcraft mixer, I was done for.
Actually before that.As a singer/ drummer in a 60 s pop group,my first experience in a studio was at Pye recording studios in London!
23 years old,just too exciting!Theres more to the story of course,but Im going off topic.
Your videos have been a delight to me.Thanks, as always.Chas Obrien
Really great insight Christian. A variation on a theme, perhaps a part 2, could you weigh up the value of an ‘investment’ in a Composition for Screen course against the use of that money in time for opportunities, gear and other investments? I have an offer to study at RCM from September but am still caught in a financial conundrum
What would you use that degree for if it didn't result in composing for screen? What value does the degree have overall remembering that for scoring to picture connections and experience portfolio are key.... i.e. catch 22.
Depending on your current situation, attending a college/university course could be one of the smartest moves you make. Not because of the piece of paper you'd receive at the end, that amounts to absolutely nothing in this industry (unless you want to teach). And also not really because of what you'll end up learning there as that can be learned on the job and online nowadays, but 100% because of the contacts and network you'll create whilst on the course. I've been working as a "semi" successful media composer for the last 15 years, mainly within the video game industry. By "successful" I mean i'm able to pay the mortgage and live a relatively comfortable family life. In a nutshell, the reason I'm able to do this is because of the people i met whilst studying. Those friends I made, collaborated on student projects with, got pissed with etc etc have turned out to still be the core of my network today, and many other clients I've had since then have been introduced/passed on to me through them. Courses such as the National Film and Television school in the UK design their courses with this in mind, so you'll be meeting and working with the producers, directors, editors, and sound designers of tomorrow.
So if you're just starting out, and have got 3 years to "spare", then i would definitely recommend it as a great means of laying the foundations for your career network.
If a 'normal job' would detroy your soul, you may have no choice... but it's a risk, and you have to understand and accept the risk you take. I would go personally.
This is a truly excellent upload Christian. Big thumbs up. 8O)
I appreciate the honesty, here. With any job in any creative field, it's still a *job* and there's going to be a whole lot of bad to go along with the good. Obviously nobody would do this unless they liked making music and putting it to picture, but the serious question you have to ask yourself before entering this field is, "Am I ok with the shitty parts?" Because, if put in all of your time and money and sacrifice and work really hard and all of your dreams come true and you've actually made it to the point where you have a real career, your reward is that you get to do it for the rest of your life.
Just discovered your channel after searching for reviews on Albion V. What an excellent video! I'm far too thin skinned (and people averse) to want to write music for a living, but it was fascinating to get a feel for the reality of what would be involved. Thank you . Subbed :)
I'm in my 40s and just starting at the bottom of the ladder doing student shorts etc part time. I have no mortgage or young kids to support though and realistic ambitions, if I never earn a living I'll still make music because I love it; if it pays for itself it will be a bonus. I spent this weekend hitting my guitar and various kitchen implements making a library after being inspired by this blog (best result was the lid from an egg poacher!) It all depends on your circumstance and ambition, for me positive feedback on the music I make is enough in itself.
iVE NEVER DREADED A MIDDLE 8 MORE THAN THIS hahahaha fucking brilliant
Well... I must say, this is much better advice than my old man gave me, when at 17 and an aspiring guitarist his advice was, "Well.... everything sounds like 'thunka-thunka'.
I say I'm a media composer. But actually I’m about 95% a piano teacher.
TLM Music Productions I can relate to this. I started teaching after Music school and I now divide my time between Media composition and teaching, I’m teaching less now because the composing is finally starting to take off, but teaching is a great option for paying the bills whilst your trying to get your dream off the ground!!
I'm in the same boat.
Thank you for this vlog. For me, it is not depressing at all. It pushes me even further. btw..there is a very famous composer who once said "There is no Plan B"
Yeah, I think I know him, the fucker never modulates.
I've watched videos like this yet something really hit me close with the truth and a fucking tear breaks. Wtf right? Well, as I got older I avoided ever getting too close and freaking out before the point of marriages ... because my passions came first, even before career. Now I'm at the age where all I have is music on hard-drives, books never shared, and now to finally realize I have nothing of value in this world of mine. Still, thanks for the chat.
Accomplished Bass Player / Aspiring Composer / Graphic Designer here 🤘🏻
spring-boarding from your swans analogy, as a friend of mine says: "be like a duck....on the surface, calm....underwater, paddle like f%&ck"
Excellent reality check.
I love this video Sir!!!!
A lot of people talk about the 10/15 year journey. But what do you think the very first steps are along this journey???
Open Logic, command+n
Practice, making lots of junk, and keeping your spirits up.
This is the best comment ever.
This vid makes reminds me to do it all FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC. In this biz, we if romanticize too much we are bound to get a slap in face. Money is still money...nothing easy when it comes to money.
That opening statement rings so true with me. It's the reason I've been afraid to try and make a living/career out of music.
Another fantastic vlog Christian! As a female composer currently popping out children whilst also tying to maintain her position in the industry, I couldn’t agree more with what you say. I’d also have a heck of a lot of advice for people who try to balance family life with work especially as a female. There’s unfortunately a sad reason for it being a male dominated industry! Really enjoy your vlogs!
Just picked this up - what a great video Christian - not many people are getting the facts out there in the way you have done here today - much more than just a warts n' all reflection on the industry.. Keep up the excellent work.
So, for young people (such as myself) what are the first steps?
As an extension, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on a fellow 'jack of all trades' musician (mostly working as a freelance instrumentalist - bands/musicals/tours/cruise ships! etc) who perhaps doesn't wish to consciously dive straight into to 'Media Composer' territory but would love to supplement their income with the odd sync here and there or otherwise make use of some standalone tracks that have been more a labour of love rather than productive workflow. Always worked in music and with good home production setup etc
Would welcome your thoughts!
Know what you want to get out of it before you get in..... if you can. For me, Media composition is a 2nd (Part-time) career, and was always planned this way. Background: 37 year old ex pat living in the USA. Started a home based recording studio (Been engineering for over 15 years), mainly recording VO's for short films, indie's radio etc, but really saw the income in industrial video narration and the odd pop record recording, so thats where i'm currently aiming my services to be the master at that area. I'm an engineer by (part-time) trade, can't play music very well, but I can by ear, and have recorded 3 film scores so far. My business plan (CRITICAL) was to be able to have another income stream, not be or replace my primary income source, and that has by in large worked out wonderfully. I only grossed about $15,000 last year but for something that is the next level above being just a hobby, it isn't bad at all. You have to be a realist in this game. Every point Christian made in the video is spot on. I knew that I would likely never achieve a full time career in media composition, so i ensured my plan B was in place. I try to find the time to do this in a sliver of whatever time I have between wife, kids, etc.
I dont know what the future holds for me personally, but If I can continue to gross what I have the past few years, i'll have achieved my goals, comforted with the thought that while i'm not able to play in the park full-time with the cool kids, i'm able to on occasion, and make some money off of it..... and this ticked both boxes of both being a childhood dream, and my aspirations of earning something from an activity that I love to do.
excellent, if also slightly depressing. i would be very interested in seeing a video about making effective library music and strategies to maximise income from it.
Brilliant as ever Christian. Composer at middle age? Not likely is it given the connections you'd need to have and well, sheer out-and-and luck of the devil. Clint Mansell (from my home town btw) got his break from basically finding himself penniless in New York but by having the good fortune to know & be put up by Trent Reznor. The rest is history as they say. It's taking those life-defining gambles that you can only really do with time (i.e youth) on your side.
Great ending bit
well, my sole credential is that i can do a pretty tasty rendition of Avril 14th on my 7/8 classical and any pianee. will i be able to get a job interview? also, who ever is considering.. i have the utmost admiration for your work. yours sincerely
Jesus, that was a grim watch, the truth stings like fuck... #Throws MacBook of samples and dreams in the bin#
nooooooo.... don't do that!
Christian Henson Music haha
Just kidding...
Question: How do you manage your time with your children vs work?
I am all that you mention in your video (kids, wife mortgage etc) whilst running a small business (nothing to do with music sadly) and always feel my family get less and less time with me. Do you have advise on how to juggle it all?
AMAZING FILM MAKING
One question for all of you professional composers: How did you get your first jobs? Was it by knocking on a producers/directors door? Was it someone who knew your music and thought you would do really good scores? Or was it other kind of connections that started it all off?
Mic Drop - I now have a video I can send people wanting to be audio engineers and contacting the studio.
Mathew might just be rich and divorced, the perfect combination to start a new career