Last week, my friend and fellow composer/ content creator, Cheska Navarro, released a new video on YouTube and it's filled with absolute gems for aspiring film composers! ⤵️
If you know anything about Cheska, you know that she's someone who can talk and share advice with you as if you were chatting to an old friend.
I always find myself drawn to her videos because her content is real and vulnerable. It's like she's talking directly to my problems and I think many of you might feel the same!
Now, I highly recommend you watch the full video but here are some of my top takeaways that can help all you aspiring composers:
🌎 Don't Just Practice on Your Own, Get Real-World Experience:
Film scoring is such a collaborative art form. Practicing on your own won't fully prepare you for all the unexpected challenges and joys of working with directors and filmmakers. You might feel uncomfortable at first reaching out for collaborations but like with anything else, the way you connect and communicate with filmmakers is a skill that can be developed over time!
🎥 Focus on What You Want to Compose:
Don't waste time rescoring films in every genre! Sure, that can be good practice in general and allow you to branch out...but chances are, the gigs you work on aren't going to be like those blockbuster scenes! Instead, focus on the kind of music you enjoy creating and the type of films you'd like to work on. This will help you develop your own unique style and target your efforts towards getting the kind of work you actually want!
📝 Compose Regularly:
Set aside time each day to compose, even on the days you don't feel particularly inspired. This will help you train your skills and improve your efficiency. Also, it's okay to compose for fun! Pursue personal projects that allow you to explore your own creativity. These projects can serve as a source of inspiration for future film scores!
👏 Don't Wait to Start:
Don't wait until you feel 100% ready to start working with filmmakers. (Spoiler: you'll never fully feel ready!!) The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll gain experience and improve your skills. Filmmakers you work with on smaller projects might be more forgiving of any shortcomings, and you can learn together as collaborators!
Now, these are only some of the tips that Cheska shares. Definitely be sure to watch the full video if you want the full deep-dive! You won't be disappointed! 😁