Composing : Internships for Young Film Composers by Brandi Thomas

Some opportunities are VERY competitive such as the ASCAP scoring workshop - 12 positions (normally 6 go outside the US and when I tried and did not succeed about 4 or 5 years ago, there were about 150 applications and every winner had phd or conservatory background or major film school (ucla, usc, berklee, nyu, etc.). Don't try for a major studio, connect yourself with an up and coming film scorer and try to fly on the wall and watch them compose and if you are lucky and there is live music, 'conduct'. In lieu of that, break your intern strategy into two parts: in engineering/electronic world, try to intern in a major music studio (does NOT have to be film related). You want to learn whatever you can about how music is recorded and processed (and mastered). More and more, mid to high level filmmakers are asking for their music to be delivered in dolby 5.1 and 7.1. Here in Houston, the 'prize' studio would be "Sugarhill Sutdios" and they take on 1 perhaps 2 interns/ Your second part would be for live - connect with a major classical ensemble composer (does not have to be film). Watch them compose, generate parts, go through the practices/rehearsals and then conduct. If you can do the same for a big band ensemble (as film music can be many genres live). Watch the process of revision making (i.e., what has to be done when the music makes it to rehearsals and needs modifications). Again, competitions may afford you opportunities but do not make them your primary goal - have a backup / secondary plan. Competitions are just that - someone or some group will win but you may not be included.

Thanks Joel! I was only looking into film related stuff as a means for getting my foot in the door, but I can see where you're coming from.

Stop thinking of yourself as a film composer. You may work your whole career in that genre but you may find along the way projects and gigs that are not film related. I was reminded of that this past week with regards to Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan. If I state the name that way, you may not recognize him. He lived from 1842 to 1900. He was a British composer and quite talented in many genres. His teacher in school studied under a pupil of Mozart's. His whole upbringing in the 1800s pointed towards composition in the classical style - operas and cantatas, to name a few. He continued to compose different types of classical music throughout his life - many choral and orchestral works, but his life took a famous turn with his opera Thespis in 1871 and more notably with his first 'hit', Trial By Jury in 1875 and that is where most of us know him from - "Gilbert & Sullivan". The point being is he may have become famous and known for his comic operatic compositions, he was a composer and as such capable of amazingly high quality serious works. So as you move on through your career - don't 'pigeon hole' yourself specifically into a specific compositional genre. You may become famous for your 'sound' and earn substantial income from it, but remember first and foremost - you are a composer... you create music and you can create any music and as such train yourself to be the best at all forms.

Or, here is something a lot more 'recent'. How would you characterize, Darius Rucker? How about a talented songwriter and musician? Why not just a famous multi-award winning country singer? Perhaps because he didn't go into the country genre until 2008. He was still a famous well known singer and songwriter since 1986 as lead singer for the famous rock group, "Hootie & The Blowfish". When you think in the more general sense, it enables you to more intelligently make career decisions.

Thank you for your perspective.

Hi Brandi, why do you want an internship at Fox, Disney or Universal? FYI - These places really don't have music departments as such. For example, Disney just recently released most of their music department. You'll find that it's mainly music licensing and clearance are whats left at the big studios. The recording stages are largely empty and don't really do interns. You really should look at interning with composer's studios or even something like Joann Kane: http://www.joannkanemusic.com/ Also - start solidifying your internships in Feb-Mar with some of these places for the summer. There are very few spots available. Some studios I know take interns for the summer: Remote Control Sonic Fuel Studios Momentum Our studio (sonicsmiths) may be looking for interns as well, but we don't start looking till April/May. For film, the town starts slowing down in the summer, so may be better looking up composers that do TV or Video Games, and contacting their assistants. Also keep in mind LA is an expensive place, internships may not pay much at all. If you can find temporary housing, look at spending about 900/mo, food is about 600/mo, gas, car, transportation etc... 2k/mo is just about living expenses for most interns. Internships are really a place for you to be a fly on the wall, learn from the pros, and learn where you need to get to. You will probably also get a better sense as to what job you may want to do (there are more openings in film music for NON-composers...) We need good TECHs!!! Best, Sam

Hi Sam! Thanks for your reply. Well, I looked into those places in the first place because they were just names that I knew, and I thought, "Hey, this could be a great way to get my foot in the door." After hours of research, I did find music internship programs with some of these places, but you had to do another type of internship before you were able to do that one... hope that makes sense - it was all a little confusing, to be honest. This is all great information that you have given me, and I really appreciate it! When the time comes around to start applying, I will definitely look into these. I also really appreciate you giving me an estimate on costs of living. Your contributions on here are always so valuable. Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)

if you are in LA you might want to join the SCL: Society of Composers and Lyricists....or at least find their roster. COuld be a good resource to intern with a working composer. As far as attracting attention....i'll share some advice given me when I was young: "Stay home and get good." At 21 that didn't make any sense but in hindsight it means develop your craft and be better than everyone else. Talent and commitment always stick out like a sore thumb! Good luck.

Hi Chris, thank you for the advice. I'm working on it! For now, I'm in Florida, but I will Google this and see what I can dig up. I really appreciate all of you guys' advice here.

Brandi, I would love to share something , with hopeful inspirtion in it! There are many who may see this as eccentric, but how many people truly think for themselves, and create their OWN opportunities? Or do they simply follow the herd? Ask yourself the question, truly "what is a composer?" what defines a composer? and think of all the opinions, and answers you will get from others. read up on the biographies of the great composers, get into their personalitioes, their life stories, what drove them, etc? I am not a conventional composer. I own no virtual instruments, but the healing music in my soul, that just effortlessly pours forth. I have an improvisational piece in one independent film, "Torn Soul", and after that decide to start PRODUCING movies MYSELF, on my own terms,so I can compose my own scores, and hire those musicians I desire(after all I am a composer, not a guitarist. My guitar is my tool, and there will be vast instrumentation, not just guitar. I actually compose on my guitar and hear all these other instruments while playing!) So, on that note, I am now in the process of getting investors(not crowd funding ,the cookie cutter way! there people who seriously will invest in big budget films! It just takes a lot of desire, courage, and shunning the criticism of the world to do what you are intuitively led to! Think big, and fearless, and create one's own opportunities! I will have name talent in these films! I will have serious composers working with me, and making much wealth, and since gaining wisdom from my personal childhood and adolescent experiences, the value of love, and what it means to help this world be a better, more compassionate place, I will give back and set up institutions somehow to help people find themselves, and to do something great for those who had lived lives of fear! So, the moral of story here? LOL! Be yourself, eat the grass and spit out the thorns, connect with positive people, and do what YOU want, not what others say you have to!

You will know in your heart if you are ready to be a fear conquering entrepreneur, Brandi! :)

Hey Brandi, I just came across this thread today - Monday, September 11th, 2017. Three years later, I"m curious - how are you doing?

Hey Andrew, I'm doing well, thanks! I moved to LA a little over a year ago and finished an internship with Remote Control Productions this past May. It's been a wild year getting acclimated to the city and everything, but I'm doing really well. Thanks for checking in! :)

Brandi - I would think the internship prepared you well for the business and collaboration end. Tell us, if you choose, has the internship provided you with any real world artistic growth in the actual writing, arranging, scoring, or conducting of your own works. Having watched "Home Again" with my wife this weekend - I was reminded about how 'business oriented' it is in the LA Market and perhaps how difficult it is to get the decision makers to recognize artistic talent or perhaps a breakthrough or new 'sound'. In my opinion, we are still in the music business - as much as we say we are service providers and there to support the action of the film. We still need to compete with each other for business and recognized based on our accomplishments and our 'product'. Just as in the Pop, Rock, Country, Jazz segments - there are those of us who choose to 'follow' (e.g., 'sound like' Zimmer, Williams, Silvestri, etc.) and those of us who choose to move in a different direction. I was reminded today by prof in our first class, that I still sound too much like the 'old school' film composers (e.g., Elmer Bernstein, Goldsmith, Alfred Newman, Bernard Herman, etc.) - it was intended as a critique and not a compliment.

Brandi - I hope this message finds you well. I realize am in a similar position that you were in 3 years ago, and was looking for some guidance. I am a composer and producer, graduating in May from Stevens Institute of Technology, and I have been looking for assistant jobs with composers in studios in both NYC and LA. I am specifically looking at interning at Remote Control Production studios this summer. I see that you just finished an internship with them last year and was wondering if you could pass on some experiential knowledge being a part of such a challenging and creative atmosphere! Would love to connect and talk if you have the chance. :)

Hello everyone! Happy Saint Patrick's Day.

I need help in writing a Stage Play for 3 Puppet Toy Bears.

Can anyone tell me..."How to find material to write the Stage Play in a certain way". I mean I would love to go to Public Schools with my New Puppet Show; Titled "Where's the Soda Tub?".

Can anyone help me set the Stage Script right?

Where can I find a Book or Video that would help?

I am also thinking of writing a Musical, but don't know where to start.

Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated.

Also is there anyone out there that could tell me how to get my Stage Play ready for Broadway??

Migdalia - first of all, you placed your request at the end of a three year old post concerning music internships - obviously nothing to do with what you are asking. Secondly, there is a whole separate facility here for 'job postings' which is where you would find what you are looking for. There are also courses and seminars(i.e., "education") here specifically geared to script writing. This forum is more involved with the process and issues of creating music - sometimes our opinions about music.

Thanks for the advice. I am New here and finding my way. Someone just emails me PlaySummissions.com and they are truly the Art of the Matter on Puppetry and Stage Plays. Thanks for the Guidance.