FILM SCORING: Getting Your First Gig

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[Emilioh]

Wise words. Your t-shirt makes me uncomfortable though

[oragami]

The biggest issue with becoming a composer's assistant is you have to already have experience in order to interest the composer looking to hire. Your demo reel needs to show that you have the chops to score films (because the dirty secret of modern film scoring is that many of the top composers actually use ghost writers for some of the cues in a score). You have to be very proficient in Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, and (if you want to work in Hans Zimmer's studio) Cubase. You have to have the technological knowledge necessary to do basic studio repairs, be it with software or hardware.

The thing about JXL getting into film scoring is that he already had the technological chops that come with being a DJ. But what's so admirable about his ascent into the upper tiers of film composers is his dedication to his craft. His scores are much more developed than Hans Zimmer, featuring some contrapuntal techniques that modern scores desperately need to revisit. If you want to land your first gig, learn how to write music and then find someone that made some a short film that will probably go no farther than ending up on YouTube (chances are high you might know someone who either wants to make films or knows someone that does). Offer to do it for free as long as you get composer credit. Use this to build your portfolio, tackle a couple more projects, sharpen the tools in your composer toolkit, and then find a way into a composer's assistantship.

[jonnystuart]

That's depressing, an existential bummer to hear. I am a grown man with a family to provide for. Can't afford to take on an internship. I will keep making music and trying.

[cd]

Junkie il make your tea and clean your socks.

[Evangelionism]

*The takeaway* + extra:
▪ Immerse yourself in professional, practising environments;

▪ Get feedback if you are creating music and identify your weaknesses early on before they become habits;

▪ Read LOTS of professional scores, and listen to scores, ascertaining how they function, why they work (or don't work), and assimilating different creative tastes and wisdoms;

▪ Network with successful composers and producers, of music and non-music related fields;

▪ Keep on asking questions, lots of them. Be annoying without actually being annoying, if you know what I mean;

▪ Know theory, yes, but you should be applying the extents of your past studies in ongoing endeavors, and expose yourself to new information to keep your arsenal fresh;

▪ Become one of the supports of a professional - producer, engineer, or composer - because you'll eventually assimilate their techniques and methods, and be depended on during your time as their pillar. Remember that YOU are offering yourself for their benefit, not the other way around; anything gained during this process is an honour and a privilege;

▪ Associate with people or groups that may soon or eventually require your expertise, but even aside that, support those who are successful in scoring, engineering or producing for major projects, even if that is not you for the time being. Be supportive yourself if you expect support, and act a team player, because this trade requires you physical embody the tool others will use for their goals - honour that

Most important is to bathe yourself in the presence of other musicians, as there's nothing like the dynamic bond between creative minds.

[ninadecuir]

Besides learning your ways in the film business an internship will also get you some contacts. Film business is a people business!
Without a few contacts you have almost no chance to make it. And that doesn't mean you need to become best buddy with some famous director.
Any small producer is a good start. Even another intern can be a good start!
If you're dedicated and talented people will recognize it and remember you.

[RobTunes]

Junkie XL,
Thank you so much for all the videos you create! You give insightful answers to important questions. I appreciate how much you share with us!

[cjjohnson]

Does anyone else have a sudden onset of OCD? Thank you for creating this channel and all the awesome things you share with us

[CRASS]

Just got my first placement of custom music on a major tv show. No theory, at least since I was 8-9. Got lucky.

[indiefilmcomposer]

thanks for sharing JXL always look forward to your scores, one distinction to help others is that JXL is talking about getting Studio level gigs, where it is a very small percentage of working composers that make a living at this level but there is a whole film eco system outside of the major studios in independent lower budget films from 5 million down to no budget where distribution and production companies, producers and composers also do this craft and some do it for a living and some do it for art, so if you are looking to start out and did not go to USC or UCLA or Northridge and other music programs with the LA connection whereby you are handed a chance to be an assistant then there are other ways to break into the business I hope to share what I know later this year when I have time to do a studio how to

[neuronmind]

Dear Tom, do you feel limited in your artistic freedom and creativity by the Movie makers and their requirements and don't you think that there's already enough bombastic paukes, cymbals brass and strings composers. I mean i hear the same kontakt libraries ( like action strings or ethnic drum ensembles) in so much t.v. and movie productions. it's annoying ! Greetz and thx.

[DeanFaganMusic]

I love the idea of a internship and I have tried to look for working composers based here in Ireland where I live and never seem to find any which is a real shame because I like this idea

[christoroppolo]

One of the best questions yet . And your honesty is refreshing. But being a producer on a film is a great way to get your stuff out as a first time composer as well (John Carpenter.?)Peace Christo 👽

[Greenjah]

I feel that trying to become an assistant of a composer would be difficult, because the proportions of people who wants to become and those who became is very different I feel.

[ilovenycsomuch]

Becoming an assistant to a successful/professional composer seems almost as competitive & daunting of a task as becoming one of those successful film composers... I'm sure if one could manage to get a position like that it would increase their odds a bunch, but could you not also gradually work your way up by more humble means...?
I imagine that there are plenty of low-paying less prestigious "gigs" to start out with, like amateur short films, commercials & other media jingles, entrepreneurial game developers (my brother lol)... my plan would be to start with any gigs like these I can get to become better acquainted with collaborative work.
Then once I feel like I'm getting the hang of it or getting my foot at least nearly in the door, I'd seek next-level work, perhaps through connections I've made from that first-level work, or trying to get hired by new employers with the help of my experience I now have to show for it... perhaps they could be more popular commercials or less popular tv series', or documentaries, or a bit more popular gaming company, who knows?
After I get my foot even MORE in the door lol, I would repeat the previous step by slowly upping my game more & more until I can get hired for somewhat known/popular tv series, games, & movies... to movies, games, & shows with even more popular exposure, & hopefully someday in the future I will be scoring very well known movies, shows, &/or games!
That's how I imagined it could go down, is that really so unrealistic?? I feel like it's a way more realistic plan then trying to jump the gun to a competitive assistant-ship position? It's not like I ever expected to just jump right into the big-guns major film scoring industry. When I've read bios for a lot of those now successful film composers, a lot of them don't seem to come from a background of trying to become who they are now, but rather doing different jobs & gigs until eventually next thing they know they have their foot in the film scoring door & they continue to pursue it til they're as big as they are now!

[fedevd]

Yes, but the chance to become assistant of a composer with balls is probably lower than becoming his collegue!

[nicovanliempt]

you do work a lot at home, .. when i'm on holiday in CA, can i join you for a cup of coffee??

[brythebass]

I’ve heard this before and would like to do that, however I have a 3 month old daughter bills to pay and a day job. Sounds like I’ll be stuck doing demos sending them out and be stuck at 0.00001% then. Sorry to sound negative but being an intern just isn’t possible when you are a dad with a wife and child and you haven’t ‘made it yet’

[asongaday]

Haha that 1% to 2% increase chance what crazy odds but true. I’d love to intern for you if you ever need one!

[MrSorenstar]

is it possible for someone who can't play any instrument very well, to become a composer?