Some of you will recognise me as EleGant[AoV]. Plenty of you won't. Some of you will even recognise me as Mote Keatinge.
I am a composer for films and games, starting from a couple of years ago. I left music school where I was studying guitar in order to pursue this career, and it's a choice which I'm always happy that I made. The creative opportunities are endless, and there are so many projects needing such a diverse array of music that there's never any need to stand still, and no excuse not to challenge myself to create ever more dynamic music incorporating new ideas, skills, technologies, knowledge and styles. Over the last couple of years I have learned a huge amount and have become more skilled in many ways. However, it's only recently that I felt I was ready to start sharing my process and thoughts with others.
I love interacting with others, discussing subjects on music, games and films, and sharing thoughts and ideas on everything from how to help creativity thrive to working efficiency- a big deal when you work at home. I'm aiming to make the process of working as a composer more interactive, to create and encourage interesting discussions on subjects around music, films and games, and to be able to share my thoughts and insights which I have from working as a composer. I think this will be great for people who are into music, people who are just passionate about these creative mediums, as well as for other professionals and interested amateurs. It also seems like nobody quite knows how to be a composer, how to get started, how to get work etc. So many ask, and the only real answers are in going out and trying to carve your own way. I don't claim to be an expert, but hopefully my updates, videos and blogs should all shed some light onto how somebody who is committed to this as a career approaches the questions, and tries to solve them.
I think this is shaping up to be really interesting as I share the process of creating music, giving backstory and context to pieces which I hope you'll love; showing what it is to be a composer building a career in a field where we're always told the competition is too fierce; discussing interesting topics as they arise, and sharing knowledge without becoming an educational channel. I'm going to really enjoy this, and by engaging with me you'll be part of what I'm doing and hopefully gain a lot of information and entertainment from me.
Below is my first Youtube video as a composer, introducing my channel. I'm going to update here with videos as well as blog content to support them (like this one), and with other topics as they arise. My Soundcloud is also linked so that you can learn some more about what I do, along with my personal website.
Thank you for getting involved, and for supporting me as a composer by doing so!
I'm interested in being a composer some day too! (I'm already composing and producing but not getting anything out of it yet)
You should blog about your work here, I will follow it
(For some constructive criticism you should review that youtube video with a few honest friends to improve the presentation and delivery. Maybe even some directors?)
I hope you will do a video explaining how to come in contact with people. How to deal with people when they pull out the "yeah i would like some music here, and i want it to be like this like that". This is the area in which i have most difficulties. Do you make demos? how do you select the pieces you put out?how long are they?
In other words the whole mumbo majumbo that comes around this job
Hey, I'm also an aspiring composer and I listened to ~10 of your pieces... it's pretty decent music. I particularly liked The Desert Walk, minus the last ten or so seconds which sounded a little sudden and different compared to the whole piece. The rest of them didn't really appeal to me though.
I'm interested in being a composer some day too! (I'm already composing and producing but not getting anything out of it yet)
You should blog about your work here, I will follow it
(For some constructive criticism you should review that youtube video with a few honest friends to improve the presentation and delivery. Maybe even some directors?)
Thank you, I'm really glad you like what you heard. I'll be blogging here, no worries. Keep composing/producing, don't force the process and just keep actively learning. The videos are harder than I thought and I'll be doing all I can to make them at a high quality, which definitely includes all the good advice I can get! Part of it is just practicing natural delivery to the camera too, which will become better with time.
On May 19 2015 18:24 fazek42 wrote: Really like the music you are making!
I appreciate that, thank you!
On May 20 2015 01:34 The_Templar wrote: Hey, I'm also an aspiring composer and I listened to ~10 of your pieces... it's pretty decent music. I particularly liked The Desert Walk, minus the last ten or so seconds which sounded a little sudden and different compared to the whole piece. The rest of them didn't really appeal to me though.
Thank you for listening either way Writing/producing that track was a bit crazy! It had to be done within a day or so, at a time when I really wasn't experienced with such deadlines. Perhaps that disconnect you're hearing relates to the track being written to picture, and so becoming less structurally clear without picture. I do know what you mean when I listen back to it.
What music do you particularly enjoy listening to? I'd enjoy to hear some of your music if you have links.
On May 20 2015 02:31 Sayle wrote: So we're getting some live piano on stream for TLS4 right?
Why not, I can make the effort for our viewers- they deserve it after all this time! Those loyal folks, sitting at their computers night after night, endlessly refreshing the stream...
On May 19 2015 22:06 pebble444 wrote: I hope you will do a video explaining how to come in contact with people. How to deal with people when they pull out the "yeah i would like some music here, and i want it to be like this like that". This is the area in which i have most difficulties. Do you make demos? how do you select the pieces you put out?how long are they?
In other words the whole mumbo majumbo that comes around this job
Sure, these subjects will naturally be covered as I go along since they all come up very regularly in the business. I wouldn't want to try and tell people how to do these things, because everything varies from person to person. Demos, selection, how long to make the pieces etc all depends on lots of factors, but are all subjects which I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts on, and discussing. I'm making a note!
As part of the answer though, I'm actually bashing out a demo right now, at top speed... this is not uncommon!
On May 20 2015 04:45 ImbaTosS wrote: Thank you, I'm really glad you like what you heard. I'll be blogging here, no worries. Keep composing/producing, don't force the process and just keep actively learning. The videos are harder than I thought and I'll be doing all I can to make them at a high quality, which definitely includes all the good advice I can get! Part of it is just practicing natural delivery to the camera too, which will become better with time.
On May 20 2015 01:34 The_Templar wrote: Hey, I'm also an aspiring composer and I listened to ~10 of your pieces... it's pretty decent music. I particularly liked The Desert Walk, minus the last ten or so seconds which sounded a little sudden and different compared to the whole piece. The rest of them didn't really appeal to me though.
Thank you for listening either way Writing/producing that track was a bit crazy! It had to be done within a day or so, at a time when I really wasn't experienced with such deadlines. Perhaps that disconnect you're hearing relates to the track being written to picture, and so becoming less structurally clear without picture. I do know what you mean when I listen back to it.
What music do you particularly enjoy listening to? I'd enjoy to hear some of your music if you have links.
Yes! I'm actively learning and experimenting, watching new videos and asking for criticism. What I meant by "not getting anything out of it yet" was in reference to monetary gain :D I'm actually really happy with my work especially when it clicks with a listener.
Since you offered to listen to his stuff here's one of mine
Would appreciate your support if you like it or any honest criticism (PM would be okay if you think it might be harsh :D)
I have another electronic one and a new big orchestral fusion one coming up and it's already in the final polishing/mastering stage
Yes, imo the quality of the video is definitely great (the setting and clarity), but it's actually only the writing and delivery that needs work and input from your friends. + Show Spoiler +
I could be more specific if you want but I definitely don't want to appear harsh if detailed criticism isn't wanted.
On May 20 2015 01:34 The_Templar wrote: Hey, I'm also an aspiring composer and I listened to ~10 of your pieces... it's pretty decent music. I particularly liked The Desert Walk, minus the last ten or so seconds which sounded a little sudden and different compared to the whole piece. The rest of them didn't really appeal to me though.
Upon listening to it again I understand you. Maybe it's because I've been listening to a lot soundtracks for enjoyment, reference and learning purposes. Changes like these aren't really considered to be "sudden" in ost pieces This basically has the same structure as "Time" by Hans Zimmer: + Show Spoiler +
ie: start small and delicate -> keep growing and growing -> return to small and delicate-> close up and finish.
For a moment I was reminded about the Jason Bourne OST. Mote, were you inspired by that ost by any chance? hahaha
EPT
