Ableton Forum

Would be interested in how you did it and what it takes.

I hate my job right now and need hope.

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplaye ... 11501&q=hi

All it takes is a bit of skill and a KILLER personal network. Networking is what makes the money-maker.

Machinate wrote:All it takes is a bit of skill and a KILLER personal network. Networking is what makes the money-maker.

i pretty much agree, a little talent [musically] skills and networking are main parts, also the ability to deliever on time and work under the pressure of time IS a major key factor.

no one in this business takes any excuse, like i didn't was inspired yet, or other balh, blah... you get a termination, you have to deliever, otherwise you are out.

I got asked to help out on a commercial a few years ago, it was an interesting experience for sure. What you need:

- To work fast. Turnaround times were incredibly short (2 days), and the studio I was working with said that was exactly how it is all the time. Theyw orked 6 day weeks just to stay on top of things.

- A large sample library. Maybe not essential, but I was told there was no way they'd ever complete all their projects without being able to leverage against their HUGE sample CD collection. There just isn't always time to hope you get inspiration when performing your own music. or even to record other people performing. This studio had their library all on HD's and meticulously organized so they could find what they needed fast.

- Good people skills. In the short time I worked with these people, we had to interface numerous times with the Ad execs both in person and on the phone. Some of the idiotic things these people say just blew my mind, but the studio smiled and agreed no matter what they say. Piss off the ad execs, and there goes a huge client.

- The clincher for me, the ability to write many different styles of music. I was asked to help out because they needed a more electronic soundtrack. After two weekends of working at the studio, they asked if I'd be interested in working there full time. The money was phenominal, I was making $300-400 a day for my work. However, many of the projects AREN'T electronic based. When they asked me to score a classical mock up, I couldn't copmfortably do it in the time frame needed. The following week they were going to be putting together commercial based on both country music and (gasp) polka. I'm sure with more time I could have done it, but I just didn't feel comfortable enough to switch genres at the rate they needed.


It's a really lucrative field to be in (the studio owner said he made enough money on one commercial and the resulting royalty payments to buy a house), but it's a LOT of grueling work.

tarekith wrote:

I got asked to help out on a commercial a few years ago, it was an interesting experience for sure. What you need:

- To work fast. Turnaround times were incredibly short (2 days), and the studio I was working with said that was exactly how it is all the time. Theyw orked 6 day weeks just to stay on top of things.

yupp, THAT is the major key to it all, obviously including all other things mentioned.

but time is the essential factor.

it was my personal experience / luck that got me into it ALL as well, that i was able a long long time ago to manage a short notice [less then 24hours] piece of music for an snowboard event trailer on TV. and i was not allowed to use any existing music / remix or loops.

I earn my bread as a soundengineer/producer for a sports tv network

Not a job, not a hobby = Jobby

Although I don't make music professionaly, I do work as a designer and editor at a production company doing tv commercials, company presentations and the like. As Tarekith says, the turnaround times are incredibly short, usually 2-3 days for commercials. I'm working on a 5 minute graphic animated presentation for Wolters Kluwer now and the deadline was about one week!).
When we are hired to produce the music for a particular spot as well we have a network of freelance musicians/producers who all have their individual specialties, genre-wise so I wouldnt say you neccesarily have to be great at every genre of music, because you can still get work based on your specialty. Just don't be too specialised if you know what I mean. You also need to be able to make changes to the music quickly, or do a couple of different versions of the same piece so the client has something to choose.
If you can do soundeffects as well as music that's a plus and yeah good sample libraries are neccesary. Remember, it always has to be done yesterday!

im interested in the networks bit. how does it all happen ? by accident?

the fast working bit is not a problem for me (just the organised sample library bit!!).

i guess networking, knowing the right person is key.

it sounds hard, but anything is better than my office jobby!!

it is hard, I'm trying to get into this area at the moment myself.
But as they saying goes, nothing worth doing is easy.
and a hard job you love in infinitly better than an average easy job you put up with.

maybe we should pool our resources, start a commercial making company and work that way. ie, there is a electronica expert, classic music expert, etc.

Bombastic wrote:maybe we should pool our resources, start a commercial making company and work that way. ie, there is a electronica expert, classic music expert, etc.

Cool idea. May I suggest Ning.com -- not that I have any experience with it, but it looks good.

Bombastic wrote:im interested in the networks bit. how does it all happen ? by accident?

the fast working bit is not a problem for me (just the organised sample library bit!!).

i guess networking, knowing the right person is key.

it sounds hard, but anything is better than my office jobby!!

i don't know how it is for others, but for my part i was always [already during skool times] very determined [is that the right word?]

about what i want, so i surounded myself always with artists / creative people e.g. photogreaphers, musicians, painters, advertising people etc. the rest came automatically... also if you start early and if you are not afraid to do 'bottom' work like pushing boxes for concerts or whatever, it's just an example, but naturally you will end up meeting the right people...