TV Composers Sean Callery, Nate Barr, FM Le Sieur, James Levine, Daniel Licht, Trevor Morris & Jeff Russo – HuffPost 5.23.14

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new composers wanting to pursue this field?

Nate Barr: Living in Los Angeles is an absolute pre-requisite to starting a career in film and television music. I think New York used to be an option, but not so much anymore.  The other big piece of advice I would give is to not be afraid to reach out via social media, or other means, to even the biggest composers to express your interest in working for them – you will be surprised by how accessible some of them are.

Sean Callery: I am a big fan of mentoring, as I was mentored under Mark Snow and learned so much about the craft and artistry of the work composers do. My advice is to keep honing your craft and keep making personal relationships, no matter what. I know that is not an easy task, figuring out how to reach out and meet the people you’re interested in, but planting the seeds of connection to others is vitally important, in my opinion. When I meet someone at an event or workshop, I will listen to links they send me. I knew Mark Snow for years as a product support person for a piece of studio equipment he owned. Then there came an opportunity to do some arranging for him. He gave me a shot at it because he already knew me to some extent. The relationship grew from there. Working composers will always need talented assistants who can support their workflow, and I found being an assistant a great way to learn and grow.

FM Le Sieur: When starting out, you should definitely listen to a lot of different genres of music, but most of all, see a lot of great movies, and watch every great TV show out there! Listen when the music comes in and out. You also need to be familiar with the cinematic language: crane up, zoom in, travelling. Knowing this as much as you know your music lingo is a definitely plus. You aren’t just creating music, but you’re creating music for moving images. Take everything seriously…except yourself.

James Levine: WRITE WRITE WRITE, then WRITE some more!  You have to really immerse yourself and write every day!

Daniel Licht: Be original. Learn your craft from those who have come before you, and study what they have done. But then find yourself, your sound. That is what is going to get you work in the end.

Trevor Morris: Become an investment banker, LOL. I would say you have to have persistence and be ready and willing to out-work the guy beside you. Everyone in the game has talent, to some extent. But hard work and crazy commitment to your art and craft is the only true traceable through-line to success I have ever been able to observe in this crazy business.

Jeff Russo: Everyone wants the sound of the newest big thing. That new big thing was, most likely, totally unique and original. Sound like you.