Hi Everyone.
New here & wanted to introduce myself. I'm a film composer with over 20 years of experience. I took a hiatus and am getting back now. You can hear my recent work here:
As you will hear, I write across a wide variety of styles. I'm looking forward to getting to know more folks here, and just wanted to say hi!
3 people like this
Welcome back, Sagar! Twenty years of experience is quite a journey. Great to see you returning to composing and looking forward to hearing what comes next!
2 people like this
Welcome to Stage 32, Sagar! It’s great to have you here, especially as you’re jumping back into composing after a hiatus. You might enjoy this FREE Stage 32 + Film-Raderie webcast featuring Marvel composer Dara Taylor and other composers and filmmakers talking about the composer/filmmaker relationship and building successful creative collaborations. Hope it sparks some ideas and connections as you get back into the swing of things!: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-x-film-raderie-composer-filmmaker-collaboration-webcast
1 person likes this
Great to meet you, Sagar Jethani! My name is Ashley Smith, and I’m the Head of Community here at Stage 32. So glad you jumped into IYW to introduce yourself!
Twenty years of experience as a film composer is such a genuinely impressive foundation, and I love that you’re stepping back into the work with openness and intention. Creative hiatuses can actually be really valuable in unexpected ways: time away often refines your instincts, deepens your perspective, and clarifies what kind of work you most want to be doing when you return. The composer stepping back in is almost never the same composer who stepped away, and that’s often a gift to your future collaborators.
The fact that you write across a wide variety of styles is such a strength too. Composers with real range are so valuable to filmmakers, especially in today’s landscape where projects span so many different genres, tones, and emotional registers.
A few resources to help you make the most of your Stage 32 experience as you re-engage:
- Be genuinely active in the Composing Lounge, plus the Filmmaking, Directing, and Producing Lounges! The Composing Lounge is your natural home base, and it’s a wonderful space to connect with fellow composers, share your craft insights, and rebuild your creative community. But the real magic of the platform for composers happens when you’re also actively engaged in the Lounges where filmmakers, directors, and producers gather to talk about the projects they’re developing. Consistent presence there (asking questions, contributing to others’ conversations, sharing perspective from 20 years in the field) is one of the most powerful ways to organically become the composer that members think of when they realize they need one. You can find them here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge
Register for our next FREE Community Open House on Wednesday, September 23rd at 12pm PT. It’s a wonderful way to get a full overview of everything Stage 32 has to offer and direct access to me to ask any questions about how to make the most of your experience here. Even if you can’t attend live, registering guarantees you the full recording: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-september-2026-comm...
1 person likes this
Hi Sagar. Please to meet you
1 person likes this
Thanks for the warm welcome! It's nice to meet all of you. Ashley Renée Smith, thanks for letting me know about these specific resources. I will start visiting the lounges you mentioned. You are so right about how different a composer I am now compared to earlier. I worried I might have lost some chops, but—inexplicably—I am writing the best music of my career now. I should have taken a hiatus earlier :-)
1 person likes this
Nice to meet you, David Figueroa !