#27 HOW TO BREAK INTO WRITING MUSIC FOR FILM & TV PT i - YESTERDAY

[@AynenMakino]

It never ceases to amaze me just how diverse the stories are of people's breaking into the industry. To some it's all about knowing the right people, to others there's lots of plain luck involved, then others chip away at it for decades without getting noticed, and so forth. Even if you make fantastic stuff, that's no guarantee.

10:37 That spy game you mention was Metal Gear Solid 2.

[@nevakidakida]

Wrong. He is referring to the film “Spy Game” with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford - 2001. Music by Harry Gregson-Williams, who also composed the music for Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3 and bits of a few other MGS games.

[@benedictnichols1539]

I was at uni 10 years ago, sounds like certain things haven't changed... Their attempts to break me with aleatoric atonal music only strengthened my resolve to write music most people would (hopefully) actually enjoy!

[@TheCrowHillCo]

here here!

[@AaronJamesHeadley]

No words... but really I have many. You are clearly one of the good ones, a breath of fresh air and a sincere human , BBC has introduced me a to orchestral composing. I'm 47 musician, audio engineer in BK NY, and in time of covid, much time available, free bbc and labs has re-ignited my passion for creating art in the form of music/sound. Thanks.

[@mr.goldfinch684]

Sir you had no idea how much I appreciate what you doing here! Also hat down for sharing some quite intimate stuff! 🖖

[@LeeGee]

Thank you for being so open, and for the Spitfire project.

[@TheDeathBeatsOfficial]

Very interesting story mate and I'm very impressed that you worked with the Good Looking Records crew. I started out many years ago as a protege of Goldie and Mark Sayfritz before branching out and eventually getting into film and TV through the sync world back when it was still a respectable route for independent artists to take. I'm in two minds about the sync business today as it's very oversaturated and it's difficult for new artsits to cut through the noise. That being said I now have over one hundred placements in Hollywood fim and TV including Tracers (another Parkour epic...!) and Venom 2. I've never persued scoring work like yourself though as I find it hard enough balancing my label with sync work. Cheers!

[@electropunkzero]

I went to university for composition, and I dropped it after one semester because I had the same experience: the professor seemed only interested in weird avante garde abstract music that is notated with pictures of clouds and bunny rabbits rather than how I could say....score a film.

[@AndriSoren]

Fantastic video, Christian, once again, I really, really appreciate your humble, frank honesty. Watching the view from up on Arthur’s seat takes me right back as well. The wee anecdotes on the site here and there are also just 👌🏻

[@aaronnewberry]

It would indeed be wise to subscribe, I look forward to these so much I was worried when a week had gone by with no post. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and your story

[@carpestygian8485]

Having seen this video for the first time 3 years later, I found humorous irony in your "things change in 3 years" statement. Thankfully now I'm subscribed I don't be AS behind! Cheers on some highly valuable and informative content :)

[@lamski3286]

Nice to meet you on your birthday. Happy birthday!

[@JeffMarkeyMusic]

Just brilliant. I really appreciate you, Christian.

[@richardwilkinsonmusic]

This is great Christian - so nice to hear the likes of yourself and Tom H being so honest and open with industry/music chat. These vlogs are brill.

[@SmithComposition]

Hi Christian, Thanks for sharing your experience in composing. Would you have any advice for someone like me, who's looking to get out of composing for TV and into baking? Cheers!

[@TheCrowHillCo]

ha ha ha... that would be a good thread for discussion "if you could do ANYTHING else' what would be your dream job. Mine would be a florist I once said to a fellow composer 'i've never met an unhappy florist' to which he responded 'you've not met my mum then'.

[@mrdevinwang]

I just left the corporate world (consulting) after 10 years to pursue music full time 😂 The easiest and fastest way to get into that world is by getting an MBA. And then you can go corporate for 3-4 years, and come back to music making 😜

[@morphanik1]

Life is great i cant a job after covid in india forcing me into dirt poverty

[@Bencehomola]

Hey Christian! I am a big big Poirot fan since a young age, and when the series changed the ‘new music’ amazed me. I remember around 7-8 years ago I tried to find somewhere the full soundtrack of some episodes written by you and I was really upset that I could only find some main title tracks. It was only 1 year ago when I started creating music with production tools and learning everything from sratch and I was immediately captivated by the libraries of spitfire audio. I watched almost every walkthrough/tutorial videos from Spitfire too and I absolutely love them, and it was a big surprise to realize that the person who composed the music for those poirot episodes that I really like is you, one of the creators of Spitfire audio. :) Thank you for your marvellous work!!

[@angelocast]

pure gold! one more time THANK YOU CHRISTIAN!

[@MikeLindup42]

Really admire your candour and heart (esp. near the end). Great story-telling.

[@m2thef2thec]

Brilliant, Christian! I love listening to you speak, you're the most articulate and succinct presenter I've seen in a very long time.

[@brianholtzmusicsound]

Many thanks Christian. More great and inspiring stuff for those of us mongrels who aint got a penny... Yet.

[@mrdevinwang]

Thank you for sharing your story! There are so few genuine people who are just super down to earth and honest nowadays, it's soo nice when you find one. Subscribed!

[@ABS_AD77]

Thank you very much for another great video Christian. So Blessed by your videos, the content, information and knowledge you are passing on to all of us. Lord Bless.

[@andreasmarkatis4500]

WOW!!! Breathtaking, disarming honesty!!! I really admire you!!!!!! Thanks so much for all this beautiful and inspiring videos. Greetings from Greece

[@simonroberts6865]

I love the way you do these..! Could sit and listen to you for hours! It's funny, I got into Vangelis while growing up in North Wales, late 70s. Started with "Short Stories" with Jon Anderson, and by the time Friends of Mr Cairo came along, I was hooked! I borrowed a Juno 104 (I think) from one of the guys at the Uni there, and pretended I was Rick Wakeman having it at 90 degrees to my piano keyboard. One night, in 1984 I had a 'Road to Damascus' moment, when I heard Frankie's Two Tribes (Trevor Horn's 12 inch remix with the orchestra) - on the radio, but - because we were living in Anglesey, I could pick up RTE Radio which was in stereo, in the days when Radio 1 on the mainland was in MW mono! The sounds (as it turned out, largely the Fairlight), the energy, the production all blew me away. I didn't know how those sounds were created, never seen the inside of a studio before, but I wanted to become involved in that world. Fast forward through a complete change of direction, a singing scholarship to the RAM, training and career as an opera singer, until ill health forced me offstage in 2003. I became an agent for a while, and loved it not in the same way I did being a singer. But something you said about being worried about not seeing your name on the screen anymore... Dont know if this might help, but I used to love going to a premiere of an opera, having been involved with the casting, and seeing one of the singers our agency represented, taking the opportunity singing the role I'd come to see, taking the chance and experiencing magic beginning to happen onstage, as the singer's confidence grew, and it became one of those perfect performances . . I would sit there with such a feeling of pride that "the magic of theatre" I was witnessing had begun as a suggestion by me at a casting meeting almost a year before, clutching a coffee, just off the first flight out of Stanstead, so up since about 3am, basically. How I'd smiled when the casting director - who knew the singer I was proposing well, but hadn't thought of them for this role, puts the name in his book. Contract! And here a year later, the commission, sure - but also the magic of theatre were my rewards. What you do today, Christian, is encourage the likes of me and many others to dare to dream. You give us the tools with which we can create almost any sound we want. You help us unlock our potential, and feel able to forget about the technical difficulties and focus on the feeling of empowerment as composers. That state of mind when you cant hold ideas back they're coming so thick and fast. So it may well be someone else's name on the screen, but without you that would quite likely not have happened. To be the facilitator, the empowerer for another creative, is a wonderful feeling, I think. Last thing - while at the RAM, I went down to Nemo Studios one day, 85 - 86? Found the address somehow. Such a shame that iconic studio is gone now. The great man wasn't there, but the guy from the floor below was, and was very chatty, so we spent a while nattering on the stairs leaning on a couple of DX7s in their boxes, that were just leant against the wall!Looking forward to the next video!

[@MrEmanuelRoos]

Hi Christian, great posts, I just found them - Lorne just mentioned one of them on FB. I have been connected with Paul for a long time via the old forums and also finally met him at the Frankfurter Messe some years ago. I hope to meet you as well once at Air - when I'm in London, a few times each year, I always drop by to meet dear Glen. Thanks for the great Spitfire Libs, working with them at this moment ;-) Cheers

[@andyhagertyelectronicmusic1336]

I love your honesty in these videos you make. All VERY informative! I wish I had access to them 10 years ago.

[@mattnicholson8679]

Really candid and insightful talk. Thanks for uploading this and talking about it.

[@The_Marvin_G_96]

Fantastic first entry into the series, looking forward for whats to come!

[@raphaelcosta6006]

Thanks Cristian for sharing. Looking forward to the next one

[@Ejlectronics6]

I'm really impressed by your audio and video quality in these videos. Your equipment is so good for vlogs! It's a pleasure to watch you talk about your life. Very inspiring.

[@issiewizzie]

wow, memories ... bless .A goldmine of information. thank you

[@nanaandbump.]

The Casio CZ 1000! I still have my 5000, love that thing

[@nickmarsh23]

Omg the orange was amazing … !

[@rio197]

Christian's dog always manage to startle me in these outdoor videos :)

[@sonicplayroompiano4302]

Love your honesty mate, thanks for sharing your story.

[@vicgrant9283]

Courageous sharing Sir! Thank you.

[@andybullemor-music5928]

These videos are amazing. Thank you. I'm currently at the beginning of my birth story. I'm 43 (nearly 44, ssshh!) and things are starting to move in my favour it seems so maybe in a few years I can have a similar trajectory to you Christian.

[@BenedictRoffMarsh]

My first synth was a Casio CZ-1000 too. Stellar machine (once you stopped obsessing over lack of filter).

[@dhdphotography-filmmaking-9347]

Ha ha! I know Bukem and Conrad. I DJ'd on Bukem's world tour, and have been in conversation with Conrad about doing some vocals on a new track I am writing. Fun fact, Good Looking had a band on their label called Intense, a good friend of mine (Beau Thomas) who was in the band is now one of the most in demand mastering engineers. His Band mate was a chap called Dan Duncan, who's dad is Molly Duncan from Average White Band, he did some sax on one of Intense's songs on Good Looking Records. Great channel, btw. :)

[@TheCrowHillCo]

DHD: Photography - Film making - Music ... and I went to school with Dan Duncan, totally coincidently as I met Conrad via another contact.

[@poppadav]

This is great :) And I saw the Average White Band at the Orange club too, they were awesome!

[@TheCrowHillCo]

I still have the poster!

[@poppadav]

Haha brilliant! Tightest rhythm guitar I've ever heard :)

[@samfuller97]

I was literally about to message you to ask for this exact video, read my mind, thanks again Christian!

[@donalrafferty]

Amazing vid. SO helpful for a composer starting out. Really respect your honesty and candidness on KZbin - brave! 👍

[@ronlobomusic]

Thanks for all the great info. All the best from Brazil.

[@adaptiveplexus]

If you boil it down, 1 be persistent and 2 get some (stumble upon) good connections.

[@SharmaYelverton]

Fascinating. Can't wait for the next video.

[@ChrisGilcher]

Thanks for the insights Christian! :)

[@TheSlipperhero]

Really lovely stuff Christian. It may well be the ginger wine, but i had a little lump in my throat at one point there.

[@michaelreinmuller4843]

Funny. Your story mirrors mine. Different touch points and cross roads but very much a similar trajectory. The part that impressed me was that you’ve come to a very important realization. And that at a fairly young age. ( it’s taken me longer) . It’s not what you do that defines you but who you are. For many years it was vitally important to me that I be known as an artist. I was proud of it. It set me apart I felt. I suppose that’s what happens when you come from a bullied and uncertain childhood. Which I also did. 1st generation immigrants. It took me years to realize that music is something I do not what I am. There’s so much in life you miss when you focus in on only one thing. Oddly enough, my career if you want to call it that, became more successful when I let go of my inner need to stand out. All that inner noise. There’s a sense of relief and joy when you do that and start to focus on the people around you and others. Well put!

[@criddycriddy]

Thank you for life changing advice your channel is priceless..

[@ElliotMiddletonMusic]

So insightful. Thanks Christian!

[@Kolinu2]

Hahaha, love the doughnut analogy, I wonder if I heard any of your 'x-rated' music in my youth. :) Thankfully your different journeys brought us Spitfire Audio and the wonderful libraries you produce. I'm very much looking forward to your next inspiring vlog, Christian, thank you.

[@GprokYB]

Inspiring as always!!!! Thanks Christian!

[@burnmic]

Hi Christian - After taking a quick look through your youtube archive I figured I'd suggest a topic I don't think you've covered much (and it may be useful for other like me I'm sure). I've very recently taken the leap, and I'm now composing full-time.. I've a whirlwind of activity in lots of different directions (recently completed my first BBC commissions, lots of pitches for advertising briefs, LA trailer house briefs, library music releases) and it's all going great so far.. however the one thing I haven't yet done (*cough*.. I'm not procrastinating.. *cough*) is setup the business. I wondered if there's a "best way" to setup quickly as a media composer in a low cost fashion, and hopefully avoiding many of the legal form filling requirements?.. feels like a limited company may be overkill, so perhaps sole-trader is a better route.. I'll be doing the research this month to get setup, but wanted to know if you had any thoughts on this area or indeed have already tackled this in another video to get me started? (I've watched them all - massive fan - and I don't recall hearing you talk about this). I'm genuinely a huge fan of what you're doing here by the way, so thank you, and please do keep up the great work!

[@d_s_ctube]

Great advice sir. Trying to get my foot in the door of that field myself.

[@d_s_ctube]

Music for film....not that actual field you are sitting in.

[@Evli10]

Haha, loved hearing your story man! What a coincidence you mentioned Guildhall. I had the same experience last year (they still focus on atonal music), and that is sadly the impression I get from most traditional composition programs today. You mentioned Dario Marianelli, but didn't he finish the education at Guildhall? Did he enjoy the focus on atonality? However, I really do enjoy some of Stravinsky's atonal compositions, and John Williams' atonal elements. I think it is because they are often blended with tonal elements and really interesting rhythms. Anyways, my path seems to go more and more in the direction of intense self teaching, rather than a traditional education. Maybe music production, I'm not sure yet. Thanks for sharing! Guys like you makes self teaching easier.

[@neilsaunders9309]

Dear God, are they still flogging that dead horse! I was at university more than 30 years ago and even then I thought that the institutional avant garde were visibly on the way out (probably as a result of the rise of Schenkerism). They're obviously clinging to the academies like plaque to teeth.

[@JohnMassari]

3:39 Music that EMPTYS concert halls!!!! LOL!!!

[@rodrigoruiz1988]

He’s right!

[@ClefferNotes]

Brilliant video as per usual Christian! thank you so much for sharing! :)

[@DreymaComposer]

And music for games ..?

[@djanitatiana]

Wonderfully honest and really interesting. Great advice!

[@paulelhart1728]

Oh boy I've just found this channel and this is perfect! Such great content.

[@nitindubeymusic]

This is gold.

[@roytynan2116]

Great video, cheers

[@creativetype4261]

Hey Christian, love your videos and the inter cutting between scenes! Really great information and I really like your irreverent delivery. Big fan of Spitfire stuff just playing with BH at the moment. Kepp it up and please let us know next time you are doing a talk.

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Regrettably the intercutting is a necessary evil born of a man who is remarkably inarticulate trying to improvise monologues into a camera on top of a windy volcano!

[@creativetype4261]

Well I was thinking of some of your other videos where it seems deliberate, its a really great style. Interesting about the drum programming thing getting you in, if only I had known all those 25+ years ago it was a way in. Spent many hours working my way around many drum machines. I once owned a TR-808 and sold it just around the Acid House phase and got a shit price because the Cow Bell was faulty!

[@edwardpatrickwhite6679]

Great 'Birth Story'!!! And here was I thinking when Severance came out - "...who'se this guy and where did HE come from?"

[@rodrigoruiz1988]

“Atonal, scratchy, scratchy” !! Hahaha that’s precisely the reason I didn’t do my bachelor’s (piano) or master’s (conducting) in composition.

[@MrSquare]

Thanks Christian, I've pretty much binged on all your videos over the last few days and love how much you're sharing with the internet, both professionally and personally. I just moved up here to Edinburgh last year to study a music postgrad and I'm pretty sure me and my wife have had a picnic on that exact spot you're sat on...just on the south side of Arthurs Seat right?

[@Obosii]

Watching this in a Cafe Nero. As soon as you mentioned ‘Good Lookin Records’ I let out a very loud and totally involuntary “WOOP”. I think I scared the shit out of everyone in a very packed coffee shop.

[@Avergrant]

Atari ST, Cubase, Creator, Hybrid Arts Midi Tracks, and a Proteus and DX7 and it began.

[@therealjonsmith]

Solid. Gold.

Wow...what a great inspirational video, thank you so much for that. Hope we can grab a beer in London one of these days...talked to my mate Julien Séri the other day and he told me to say hello...so there it is! ^_^ Cheers.

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Come join the spitfire gang at the pub, we go every other Friday, just came back from drinks there today, next jaunt in two weeks!

Alrighty!

[@marpymellow3805]

Wonderful stuff, thank you but I'll never look at a donut in the same way!

[@TheRealFieryBiscuits]

Hey Christian, I know it'd be a bit of tangent but I'd love to hear more about the Logical Progression/Bukem days sometime

[@dazboot2966]

How to get into composing for media? Well having Una Stubbs and Nicky Henson for parents is a good start.

[@andrelousada]

Porn music!!!! lol You should do a tutorial about that!

[@creativebobbo]

Just need a guitar with a wawa pedal, bass and a beat box lol

[@rdpatterson2682]

There’s music?

[@JoshuaLindsay11]

nice advice

[@J-MLindeMusic]

Another inspirational video! Do you have any thoughts on Soundcloud's current situation?

[@PositiveActionMan]

Hi Christian... ploughing my way through your vids in no specific order.. clearly as this is Vlog 27 and I have been watching them for some months now. Anyway you mention at the start of this vid that the advice given will probs date in 3 years.. Well its been almost 3 years... has it changed?

[@AlisonWheeler]

Well, it is now three years on, so how much do you want to revise?

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

what advice do you have for a complete noob on a budget, who has just downloaded the BBC Symphony free plugin lol. I did study music about 45 years ago and have just discovered Reaper and the wonder of plugins.

[@mrmicrophone4860]

i wanna know about the 4k phone!

[@jamesgregg6627]

How on earth have I only just come across these videos...

[@mikefisher84]

Did he ever make a part 2?

[@darthvader5701]

Im a 6ft2 120kg ginger, I got your back brother.

[@wyestudios-composingsongwr1732]

Thank you very much for this amazing video! I'm really looking forward to the next part. All the best from Germany

[@patrickr.1433]

ah yes, my favorite videogame saga, "Spy Game"

[@globehb7645]

We are all grateful Christian ✝️ is as transparent - albeit Spitfire yes/no/maybe - and thank you Christian. The politics will always hover fairly closely in the background... which perhaps is VERY thesis worthy. Technical vs politics is the big Q. HBC.

[@EthanHenley]

That jacket is amazing.

[@FunkTree]

Christian where is this lovely scenery?

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Holyrood Park Edinburgh

[@newrisingsun6785]

Mummy and Daddy were actors ... aye ... reet ...

[@banparlous2552]

I loved Spy Game! One of my favs. Everything about it.

[@jodagold5481]

Your fuckin class Pal...brill

[@raphaelcosta6006]

Any news on part 2?

[@TheCrowHillCo]

I just recorded it, gonna take a while to edit though!

[@raphaelcosta6006]

No worries. Tks for all the priceless tips.

[@timmah4476]

If working in the film industry taught me one thing, it was... GORSE CAM!!!

[@timmah4476]

Or did you learn that one in the porn industry?! (ouchy!!) 🧐

[@matthias100]

will it make you less fortunate if you didnt play piano ?

[@LordHar]

FLASH GORDON IS NOT A TERRIBLE MOVIE!! ;)

[@tarnishchris]

LordHar as Much as i would to agree...it really is terrible ☺

[@tiplady]

It’s not terrible, it’s the utter pits ! ! !

[@feliperodriguezcomposer]

You did porn music? You were living the dream mate

[@IsaacLeBass]

Strong countrywear game in this vlog.

[@TheCrowHillCo]

many thanks, jacket from Iceland, hat from Lock and Co.: www.lockhatters.co.uk/men.html

[@yahymusic]

porn music?

[@_sonicfive]

porn music? did I hear that right?

[@TheBentwrist]

l ike you, but you over analyse.

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Surely the point of these vlogs is to analyse, uncover and decipher, try and make sense of shit?

[@WAZA___]

@@TheCrowHillCo l agree. I'm enjoying your channel Christian.