Interview: What Is A Composer's Assistant?

[@stuckmannen3876]

"my job is to make coffee" - Hans Zimmer

[@mybiggrin]

His story. I'm so happy for him. I can't imagine the presentations without him.

[@TomHawkComposer]

Oliver, after hearing your advice; I’m letting you, and Spitfire, know that I am looking to be a composer’s assistant and would love to work on some more short films this year. I’m going to continue working hard at university and once I graduate this summer, you’ll be hearing from me again. Here’s to an amazing year!

[@dawnstonemusic4408]

That's a great turn of event when you land in front of Christian Henson, and at this right moment, needs a composer assistant and asks you to send him an email.

[@issiewizzie]

great story and shows that there is a light at the end of the every tunnel

[@tivermusic]

There’s Walter Piston on the bookshelf. One of my favourites!

[@Ferna471]

I would really like to be an assistant someday, i'm kind of just starting my career as composer/producer but in my country this kind of job doesn't exist, it's a really small industry here, hopefully that changes or i get the opportunity to migrate to another country with a more growing industry

[@sensium9757]

Hey Oli, that was a very great interview! Thanks. Irgendwie werde ich das Gefühl nicht los, das Du ursprünglich aus der Schweiz kommst.

[@PeterSchmidt]

So how would one go about looking for an assistant gig? I am also a student at berklee! :D I'm in my second year at berklee, would it be worth looking for it now or waiting out till I have my graduate paper? Thanks man, I also really appreciate your work!

[@spitfireaudiollp]

Hey Peter, I think it’s a good idea to start preparing while you are still at Uni, the end will come up quickly. So prepare your portfolio, website, socials, showreel, maybe get a contact list together so you can start emailing when you are available. Start looking at some events you could attend in the city you will be living. I’d say don’t reach out too far ahead as people might forget about you when the time comes, but it’s always good to put out your feelers. Oliver

[@ruahproduction1739]

What are que's ? Anyone

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

The great question of music theory is how to have a musical personality

[@mathiaseliasmusic]

do you need to read music, i mean sight reading in berklee?

[@siddhantpetkar9728]

How's it to live in London for an outsider sound engineer? You said at one point your balance was zero!

[@ajelle5176]

Hey Oli, thanks for an insightful video. Can I ask, how much can one expect to be paid for assisting? Many thanks

[@spitfireaudiollp]

Hey, thanks for the question, firstly I would say that pay will always vary depending on experience, but as a base rate to intermediate rate, you could be looking between £125 and £150 a day. Also, I would add, that as an assistant, you may be asked to work for free for 'the experience', I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you see it as your foot in the door you might want to take the opportunity to make the contact, but only if you can afford it.