Time for a rant. If you are a composer, or a Freelancer of any kind, you may know a thing or two about what I am going through. So here is a recap of the past few months: I have (with the help of my brilliant wife) have started a freelance music composition business, built (with the help of my brilliant brother) a website I am proud of, estabished my fees, established my services, opened a bank account for the business, purchased enough professional music gear for the studio, launched a social marketing campaign, started this blog, started networking with game devs and other audio professionals, and created a long list of demos to demonstrate my abilities to potential clients.
I am proud of what I have accomplished; however, all that is just the first level. I have now arrived at level 2-1...get some work! I have experience writing music for games and promo videos for businesses, but I am looking for some consistent projects. I am VERY lucky to have a full time job teaching music. That way, I don't have to rely on writing music to eat. I can just be fully creative without the pressure of basic survival at hand,
However, getting work is a very tough thing -- especially when I live away from the main hubs of my industry (L.A., San Fransico, Seatle, Austin, New York). I do my best with trying to connect with others and giving myself some online visibility. My plan is to continue with that, but also go to some conferences in my field and meet some people face to face. I also plan to seek out clients locally and build a reputation with my community. There are plenty of businesses and production companies that need music and sound for advertising.
As far as game music, I have completed a demo reel aimed towards a specific local developing company. I plan to send it out this week and hopefully get in co tact with them shorly. In th coming months, I plan to create an amazing demo reel and send it off to at least a hundred game developers -- just go all out!
So, I have been working hard and I have a lot of hard work ahead of me. This new level will be toug, but I know if I am persistent and patient I will land some gigs and I might even land a huge one. If not, I will keep movivng forward because: the princess is always in the next castle.
One Fine Day
A new demonstration of my abilities. This is a genre I have not explored a whole lot as a composer -- ambient music. I guess the drummer in me has fought writing relaxing, slow, meditative music; although, I have always loved listening to that kind of stuff. Let me know what you think on my Facebook page.
As I get more involved with the community of my craft I plan to aim my blog posts towards others like me (music and game geeks of the sort). I will still post updates and music, but I also plan to "talk shop" and share what I learn on this adventure. On that note, I've joined a great community called G.A.N.G. No, I did not join a gang -- it is the Game Audio Network Guild. If you are insterested in game audio of any kind it is a great way to learn and network with other professionals.
Also, check out my brother's website: Jelly Kacobs. It has nothing to do with what I was just talking about; nonetheless, it is hilarious.
As I get more involved with the community of my craft I plan to aim my blog posts towards others like me (music and game geeks of the sort). I will still post updates and music, but I also plan to "talk shop" and share what I learn on this adventure. On that note, I've joined a great community called G.A.N.G. No, I did not join a gang -- it is the Game Audio Network Guild. If you are insterested in game audio of any kind it is a great way to learn and network with other professionals.
Also, check out my brother's website: Jelly Kacobs. It has nothing to do with what I was just talking about; nonetheless, it is hilarious.
Hurry! Find the Thing!
Folks, today I have TWO short compositions for you today (double the trouble). The first is called "Find the Thing". I wanted to compose some music aimed towards children. It would work well in a kid's video game or film.
The second is called "Chasing Time". I wanted to give a panic feeling of time running out. Also (warning: geek-talk ahead), I did some experimenting with hybrid orchestration of real sampled instruments and synthesizers. It was hard to get the two worlds to gel without a good reverb to glue it all together, but I think it turned out fine. Hope you enjoy them:
...
The second is called "Chasing Time". I wanted to give a panic feeling of time running out. Also (warning: geek-talk ahead), I did some experimenting with hybrid orchestration of real sampled instruments and synthesizers. It was hard to get the two worlds to gel without a good reverb to glue it all together, but I think it turned out fine. Hope you enjoy them:
...
The Adventurer
Here is a new demo I just finished. It portrays the excitment of being on some wicked adventure. Who knows what epic situations this untold and unspecific hero might and/or might not run into. Adventure HOORA!
On a more intellegent note, I composed and developed a melodic/rhythmic theme first estabilished by the horns. If I were to use this in a game/film, you might hear that theme when I wanted you to think of this adventurer. Here it is:
If you noticed, it kind of fades out in the middle of something. I plan on building a good amount of demo music to send off to clients soon. The fade-out allows me to: 1.)compose a larger variety of demo music without having to compose an entire song. 2.)protects my work because nobody will want to steal a song that stops in the middle...right? THanks for listening!
On a more intellegent note, I composed and developed a melodic/rhythmic theme first estabilished by the horns. If I were to use this in a game/film, you might hear that theme when I wanted you to think of this adventurer. Here it is:
If you noticed, it kind of fades out in the middle of something. I plan on building a good amount of demo music to send off to clients soon. The fade-out allows me to: 1.)compose a larger variety of demo music without having to compose an entire song. 2.)protects my work because nobody will want to steal a song that stops in the middle...right? THanks for listening!
Website Launch!
My professional website is now officially launched:
www.patjacobsmusic.com
A big thanks to Kelly Jacobs for building the website for us. He did an awesome job with making it look classy and hip. If anyone out there is needing a cool website, he is the guy to call. Srsly.
www.patjacobsmusic.com
A big thanks to Kelly Jacobs for building the website for us. He did an awesome job with making it look classy and hip. If anyone out there is needing a cool website, he is the guy to call. Srsly.
Starting Lineup
New music I wrote for the Springfield Cardinals starting lineup. They will play this music as they announce the players. I was asked to write a hyped up "rock opera" style. I hope it is rawk-tastic enough.
UPDATE: Here is a low-quality recording of the music used in the game with the announcer. I have to say, it lines up pretty well!
UPDATE: Here is a low-quality recording of the music used in the game with the announcer. I have to say, it lines up pretty well!
Canned Trailer
I felt like making a movie/game trailer demo. It is almost a parody of your typical over-dramatic and over-done trailer music. Enjoy!
Canned Trailer by patjacobsmusic
Canned Trailer by patjacobsmusic
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)