Secrets Successful Composers WON'T Tell You!!! 

To summerize..."Keep your day job kids"

in my business, I always tell our sales guys: 1. You can sell a zillion units of product, but only if you give it away. Your revenue will then be zero. 2. You can make a zillion $ per unit, but you won't sell the first ton of it at that price. Your revenue will then be zero. 3. There is room for revenue somewhere in between $0/unit and $zillion/unit. Your job is to find the place where revenue peaks out. it sounds like it's the same in the composing arena. If you are talented enough, then: 1. You can get lots of jobs, but only if you work for free. You get no income. 2. You can make a zillion $ per job, but you probably won't get any jobs at that price point. So you get no income. 3. There is room for income somewhere in between $0/job and $zillion/job. Your challenge is to find that place where income peaks out!

Christian, you just helped to confirm that I haven't been wasting my time. I've been doing this creative work as a composer first, then a director, and lastly, a writer of indie films and musicals for over 30 years. I'm not a "named" anything but I have managed to earn a good living and life being excellent at what "I" do. I thank you for you candor and your common since. If it had not been for the business side of things, really understanding it and running it, I wouldn't be here leaving a message. These young folk (and some of us old cats) need to hear more of that. Thanks again and peace, my friend.

As a film composer who graduated my film music masters not too long ago, I have been extremely lucky with my first gigs. Firstly as a composer's assistant and then as main composer for two large budget feature films here in scandinavia. What suprised me the most was that I would get asked for these jobs solely based on recommendations, the music I wrote for them only validated that they wanted to keep me, it was expected that it was good music from the start. As Christian says, the work is mostly about letting producers know that you are a safe bet to work with, and the best way for them to know it is for someone that they trust to tell them.

My business plan as an artist is to do other work. I started making music to express myself and in that I have been succesful. Money comes (mainly) from other sources and I retain the artistic freedom to do what I want. I don't even have to publish anything, so if a composition feels too much like a private diary, it can be just that. Then again I never studied art, but have been serious enough to notice that the business side of things can easily take as much time as a day job. I guess for me "finding myself" was to realise that I am already able to express myself the way I want. And I don't have to make money with art.

I wish I’d know this 25 years ago when I graduated. I had no idea. No peers doing this. No contacts. And spent so long scrambling around with other stuff completely. Now I know what to do, it feels like I wish I could go back 20 years and try again. But I can’t. So I’m trying from here instead.

Thisis not only the case for composers but also for all musicians who wants to become professionals. Each musician have to find the way to find an agent a label....and finally what is the most important is YOUR MUSIC. Before thinking about making money with your music, think about the quality of your music about what must be improved, about the skills you have to achieve, because talent don't do everything. Every talented artist spend hours practicing. If your music is good, people will like it. So my advice is: think about your music before thinking about how to find a job as a composer.

For me, it just seems meeting people is the most difficult part for me after graduating. Having immigrated to the UK I feel like a fish out of water!

This was incredibly helpful and interesting, as a recent Berklee graduate moving to LA and having no idea how to go about anything. Thanks so much!

Thank you Christian!Great monologue. Your no BS wisdom and generosity are hugely inspiring and refreshing. Looking forward to the discourse in due course.

TENACITY really IS the secret. I've been composing films for about 11 years. One is always hoping to catch a marlin (let's say a Marvel film for example) and eat well for six months to a year. But in the first six years I would mostly live off of A LOT of minnows (short films, student films, docs, the occasional micro-budget indie feature that does well at festivals). It's A LOT of work, but if you do enough quantity, it eventually over time equals a quarter or a third of catching one marlin. Then once I caught enough minnows, I somehow started to catch the occasional tuna (an indie feature that does well at Sundance or a Netflix doc). Now 11 years in, I still catch some minnows when I have to, I catch tuna regularly, and I still have yet to hook a marlin. But I also no longer rent an apartment and own a pretty nice house/studio and all my gear/instruments are paid for. The next step is a retirement plan. I'm probably now at like 9,000 hours. It just takes A LOT of work and EVEN MORE patience. Thanks for this video. I enjoy them all, but this one was particularly refreshing in its candor. :)

Ah!!!... You just gave the game away!!😅😂 That said - great tips - ultra accurate and realistic view. For my endeavours in such areas as a composer - House, mortgage paid, studio to die for, kids secure, holidays etc etc... paid... doing just that. Gotta be realistic - see where the bucks really lie. People skills are a must - But I've always said - it's the music you make, how fast you can make it - and how well you can listen into what is stated as being required - often - most often - not what it appears to be at first read!! - that speaks for itself in terms of appeal within the industry. Great monolog :)

Here in America, Network sports programming is huge and can pay out significant PRO money. As I have written between 40 and 50 theme songs for network sports over the past 20 years, I can attest to this. The biggest issue with that however, is that many of the cable sports nets are pretty sloppy with handing in cue sheets. National networks like NBC, CBS and ABC and mostly (but not always) FOX sports are better with that but many of the cable networks need to be constantly reminded to hand in cue sheets. The one exemption for this is that ESPN has an exemption for some reason and is not contractually obligated to pay into PRO monies.

Thanks Christian! The brutal honesty proves time and time again to be far more important and valuable!!! I truly enjoy your monologue platform. It works!!

All very true! I did have a really good run with high end commercials for almost a decade, but it basically evaporated in 2020, as Ad agencies shifted to library only, and as TikTok became more convenient to sell products than to do a million dollar hi def commercial. Also AI is going to take over any music that is easy and repetitive, and probably what will be left to do is more organic and human sounding music, that AI is less good at replicating.

that's why I love you!

Big thanks for those great tips! and thanks for sharing very useful insights :) have a great week :)

Thanks once again for pulling me out of another mental tailspin I sometimes go into when I look at the futility of it all and then I remember I do this because I want to find interesting new sound stuff

As always, mate, chock full of absolute GOLD and I enjoyed seeing the location changes behind you too, after the recent visit to lovely 'burgh!! Very interesting about the Public Information films - we're about to introduce samples of this style of vid to our library for composers to use for re-scoring etc and I'd love to highlight that snippet from your monologue if you don't mind, to let people know why they SHOULD be interested in this seemingly-unglam kind of work! Nothing unglam about a solid earner!

Invaluable waffling. Many thanks Christian.

This is an amazing video that tells it like it is. Brilliant and very much appreciated. The truth from an expert who actually walks the walk. I am also very interested in your upcoming events and would love to participate. I'm on your Crow Hill mailing list so I will watch for that.

Zappa was a great example of musician and business man. He was a genius

Smart advice as ever Christian. My biggest payer has always been a science series that sits on a US channel pretty much on repeat. Shallow royalty but it is relentlessly broadcast

Word! The most roundly successful composer I know, and I know a few, has over the years diversified into all kinds of eclectic sphere's; from property development to becoming a restauranteur - all with varying degrees of being 'hands on' in those extraneous areas, and all the while continuing to make music across varied media. He's still at it, and now owns and runs a vineyard. The vision of being a devout, tortured artist, exclusively slaving away in front of scores, and/or screens 24/7, 365, is largely a fantastical myth, with few exceptions, who exist in those tightly constricted hierarchies you so accurately describe. Most composers, and I include myself in this, are often engaged in a side-hustle, or two. My advice to graduates is to let them know that, if you're making as much as a decent self employed plumber, or electrician, then you're doing well, kid. Enjoy it!

Absolutely top class. Thank you!

Gold, thanks Christian!

As I start the journey somewhat late in life, I truly appreciate this honest and realistic guidance. Thank you.

I can personally verify everything said in this video. Especially about Cooking Shows!!

Fantastic as always!

Pretty much spot on from my experience.👍

I honestly don't remember the last time i walked into a movie theater tbh🤦‍♂️

Could you advise on the following Hello Michael, its government SUA has invested $100 million from 2023 in a production and training center just for immersive Sound. I don't know if you know all televisions have been transmitting sound in 6 audio channels (5.1) format for some time, 4K television can transmit sounds on 10 audio channels, in Japan there is an 8K television that can transmit sound on 20 audio channels. Today's digital radios can transmit sounds in 5.1, and almost all production cars are equipped with 5.1 audio systems. What they lack is musical content in spatial sound. My advice is if you want to stand out from the 75 million songs that are on the market today, you have to compose in immersive sound. If you want the music you have already composed on separate tracks, I can help you, free of charge, to turn it into immersive music.

Super helpful. I'm currently coming back into music after years away, doing an MA and LOVING IT, although I'm realistic about my place in the world vs Hans Zimmer. However, it's true what you say about diversification - i've got decades of brand design chops which I'm applying to composing in both a creative and technical/marketing way. Basically, i'm brand guy doing music vs a music guy working on brands. Will that work? Don't know! But being different is good. To your point, if you want to stand out, if you've got other skills or a 'purple cow' (see Seth Godin) then it might give you a leg up. BTW, thanks for the big up in the newsletter last time around - made my week!

Thank you for this video.

How did you do that? As soon as you mentioned cooking programmes and millionaire, it's like you became the amalgamation of Clarkson, Greg Wallace and Heston Blumenthal.

Sage advice. I've been a musician and composer for 46 years now and the most money I've ever made, apart from a record that went Platinum in the USA, was from a TV series. I did the first season of something that became a huge hit for Discovery Channel. Unfortunately, after all my hard work on the initial series, I was bounced off the gig so that somebody's relative at the production company could take over the position, copy my template and make a great deal of money over the forthcoming, 4 or 5 seasons Such is life!

Barbieheimer! Exactly the wholesome say-no-mores we love you for Christian ! Genius

Great chat thanks - watched from end to end (which is unusual on YT these days..)

This video is filled with useful info! Thank you! One question: what do you think on foreigner (non-UK or US) composers/musicians making a living out of this?

Nice t-shirt Christian, wishing you a very happy weekend and to Oscar. IK

Thanks again for a good glass full of reality.

Incredible ❤

Well put 👌🏼

Thanks for sharing the reality. When I was young I decided to become a professional software engineer instead of a professional composer. I felt regret for many years, but as I grow older and compose in absolute freedom while living a comfortable life, I feel it was the right choice. Unfortunately of course. I wish composers had the paid opportunities to create freely.

Your rambles are always appreciated Christian. Many factors and flexes to meander and consider what with creative capitalism. Endless skullduggery. The help you're willing to provide with your experience and intellect is surely kindly accepted by all, myself included. Peace and love to you.

Very useful info👍 it’s no good not being up-front about the requirements and stark realities of any industry. And every industry, not just music, suffers from this. We all get told it works like a 50s movie, you turn up, do the work, get promoted, get opportunity, etc etc. there’s no nepotism, no hierarchy, no greed, none of that here in this world No Sir! If you fail you must have not tried hard enough!… No wonder so many people get disillusioned after a few years in any job, especially in music. But having honest advice helps you know it’s not all your fault that you ain’t Taylor Swift. And potentially having a place, virtual or physical, where people can genuinely help support each other, would be a big step. And it could increase the chances of having perhaps some modest success, or at the very least, remove some of the the isolation and hopelessness that constantly hounds people who just want to make a living with music. Will very much look forward to seeing how it turns out! 😎

That matches what I heard from an American friend who had huge success with reality and cooking shows.

Nuggets all day long, bless you fella x

I saw your name on the Dune 2 credits. :)

Can you do a video on how to do a business plan for composers?

Hey Christian, I noticed you are using a DJI mic... have you seen the Pocket 3? I think that camera was made for you! Not sure if you are still using the GH5 though. Cheers!

I asked some local TV stations here in fla if I could submit my music. They said it had to be through universal music library. I couldn't be myself in submitting

Seeing the quote pop up onscreen brought to mind my own reasons for getting into working in the recording industry... it wasn't about money, but doing it because it was a place where I FINALLY felt at home. I never really considered money in my career decision, but looking back I can see my own shortsightedness, and lack of self-esteem, come into play. I would most definitely tell anyone that money, while not being THE most important consideration is certainly one of the top three that should be made. However, learning your own self-worth, along with never allowing someone to hold you hostage in a job because of your own low self-esteem and self-worth, are important things to learn early on in life. Sometimes we put up with lousy conditions in the interest of gaining experience... fine enough. However, after a while it's important to learn that making enough money to set yourself up for your future is also important. Okay... stepping off my soapbox now! Cheers, Christian!

i think you really do have a multifaceted wisdom & insight into the whole industry and its not just BS gas obviously from the trail of work you have left behind & the connections you have made, also diversifying by being involved with the beginning of spitfire audio ,,but what percentage would you say of your own relative success in film & tv composing could you equate to your parents being in that industry already ,,was it useful in anyway? I presume it must of been in some way on some level ,,its just Because for the majority of us we are barely peeping are heads out from under the rock were trying to crawl out from under,, compared to yourself ,you hear all the time in all types of fields of work from people that inspire you, you’ll find that some relative that was involved before hand left the door even slightly open for them ,,,or inspired them to get into that field , ,, but anyway ,,,to solve my problem, of being in a desert under a rock , with about 96 degrees of separation from anyone in this field ,, I’m thinking of just making some of my own short films (i have a few ideas) not really like pop music videos ,a kind of in-between world ,,that have a narrative and are storyboarded but without dialogue ,,kind of inspired by koyaanisqatsi , but a bit more of a diverse journey just for learning but to also showcase what you can do ,,that hopefully says something about the world and is obviously entertaining and engaging not just an exercise , then just upload them onto youtube ,just to develop my style like you say and also a way of getting some feedback

Black Death is a great movie.

What this video taught me: Get your ducks in a row (11:50)! 😂🦆🦆🦆 P. S.: "In a world where it's illegal to disagree" - really? Well, I disagree with that notion and I'm pretty sure that disagreement is not illegal.

All true and has been in my career.

Would it be advantageous, especially when starting out, to create a business with other composers? Yes the revenue would be shared, but so would the overheads and the pressures from potential clients, all whilst musical and developmental ideas are stimulated within the group.

Christian any advice as a pop music producer/songwriter trying to get into tv?

Which part of Scotland does Christian live? Beautiful!

“Because they liked the smell.” That’s the secret subtitle to this episode.

If you want to make money, there are a couple of places that are sure fire...Music is not one of them. A.I. Wont get more work for composers, but less. Most music on TV could be done by well connected monkeys anyway. But...We can make the music that is in our hearts. Good luck everyone.

How is this video more HD than real life?

3:45 I think that is a truism of life.

Unfortunately, those franchise shows are going to be the first in line to largely move to AI generated music. Expect that market for composers to be nonexistent in the near future. In the near term, the scariest part of AI is that it's going to eliminate the lower rungs of the ladder. Those initial rungs that composers breaking in used to rely on to work their way into the business are no longer going to exist. Content producers are flipping over endless supplies of the raw materials they need at low or no cost. And, it's only going to get worse. We are definitely in a period of extremely rapid change. Interestingly, when I see videos of people discussing AI, the people who are the most outspoken about it not having that much impact are the people who have a lot invested in continuing to do the work, and/or are just starting out in the composing/producing field. Wishful thinking.

The secret is: who you know

Focus on the music not on the money or celebrity?🤔

From where can one nab a PIF?!

I'm writing music for libraries in my retirement Christian. In another life, I spent 25+ years working clinically in, and teaching about, Mental Health Care. I love what you do and how you do it - but please, don't stigmatize those suffering from mental ill health with pejorative terms. The people you're talking about, who reach the very pinnacle of success are, as you say, extremely tenacious. But, are they mentally ill? No.

Secrets successful composers won’t tell you: study music, for start.

👍

Pure gold, many thanks, Chris.

Is there any potential revenue for rubber pigs and silliness? Asking for a friend... 😉

Sorry, I got distracted by the Taylor Swift T-shirt.

Big walk that Christian; did you lose the dog?

I studied my brains out and all I got is this lousy t-shirt

I can't believe you mention theatre as a serious career path. I've been writing amateur musicals for years in the background while I try to become a 'real composer' doing jingles and TV sync placements. If I thought I could make even a mediocre income writing for theatre I would jump in like a rat up a drainpipe. You've got me hoping there's some avenue I've missed or some trick to cracking the theatre industry other than dumb luck or dating ALWebber's daughter..

How much was that T-Shirt ?

“Secrets successful composers WON’T tell you”, because then they wouldn’t be …secrets?

Never mind anything said for a moment. There is a real problem here. Do people making videos for Yo!Tube really not have a glimmer of a clue of how enormously irritating it is to watch some video, of someone simply talking, and have this constant, relentless, rapid-fire stream of edit cuts, seemingly to remove any hint of pauses or breaths of any sort? Sometimes, like this, literally every second or so, or less... chop... chop... chop... chop... it rapidly becomes unbelievably aggravating. You hear what might sound like normal speaking, although the flow of that is arguably unnatural and subtly wearing, but, on screen, it's constant, random lurching, twitching, jerking around incessantly. Sure, I suppose you can just ignore the screen completely and just listen, and you might never even notice or care... which begs the question of why to even do video? This is not unique, here. I have encountered this kind of spastic twitching editing style on some number of RU-vid video channels... with the relevant point being, after a couple experiences of what I'm talking about... I stopped watching anything from that channel. Seriously. STOP THAT.

So you think Taylor Swift is objectifying. Herself? Maybe I don’t hear you properly? And one other thing… it wasn’t a monologue. 😂😂😂 it was a quick cut, edited video. Commmeonnn mannnn.