You’re going to make me listen to WHAT?????
Think back to your favorite movie. Timeless classics like Jaws and Psycho. Would they have been the same without the “someone’s going to die” scary music? What about TV shows like The Simpsons or The Dukes of Hazard…..the theme songs made the show instantly recognizable. Have you ever paid attention to the music playing on a commercial or the heart pounding beats of a car chase? How well would a new Mustang Fastback sell if the image of the car racing down the highway was accompanied by slow mellow elevator music???
We all listen to different types of music everyday. It can influence our mood, our personalities, and our lives. It affects us the same way in movies, on television and in commercials. Even though you don’t listen to heavy metal music, many of your favorite movies or commercials are accompanied by background music from heavy metal artists. We accept this without question. We don’t plug our ears or leave the theatre because you don’t like the music.
Visual and musical go hand in hand. Each industry needs the other. Music videos use directors, actors, props. Theatre productions need musicians, dancers, stage hands. The industry works together as a whole…which creates many opportunities for artists to expand their horizons. Working in different areas of the entertainment industry can not only be fulfilling creatively but can be a lucrative side venture.
Live performance is only one of many activities where a musician can support themselves. Composers can create income from areas such as publishing. Musicians can earn thousands per year from writing commercial jingles.
Recorded music in film and television soundtracks has long been a significant source of income for composers and musicians, many of whom do soundtrack work to supplement earnings from concert music composition or popular music. Some dancers do extra work in theatre productions, movies or videos. Comedians can write jokes for TV shows, create comedy skits and so much more.
Don’t limit your talent and your income to only one area of “expertise”. Search out companies looking for creative ideas. Put yourself and your talent in the forefront...and you will be recognized for your unique abilities.