How to Make Networking as a Composer More of a Lifestyle Rather Than a Thing You Think You Have to Do to Get Work
This article is dedicated to the singer-songwriter and composer Matty who asked if I had any more networking tips. Hope this helps!
Q: Why do you think of networking as a lifestyle?
A: I don’t really like the word “networking” because it sounds too serious. A better way to think about it might be:
How do I make connecting w/ people who do the kind of work I want to be a part of become a bigger part of my daily life?
I was definitely not a very outgoing person when I first started pursuing film composing, but overtime as I began meeting people every month on Zoom through workshops I put together or chatting frequently w/ others via Instagram DMs and then meeting them virtually or in-person, I realized that I really enjoy talking to people who share similar interests and passions.
Talking to new people often and being social with my social media account naturally became a big part of my life.
Today I make an effort to spend time with other composers and filmmakers in person as often as I can and extend invitations for others to hangout with me in the future.
I always feel excited after talking with others about film or music, so honestly it just feels good and naturally I want to do more of it.
Q: What are the most effective ways to connect w/ people you want to work with?
A: My mentor Robbie Teehan told me that as humans, we are hardwired to connect with each other. Humans have always needed relationships to thrive from the ooga-booga caveman times until now.
Now combine that with the fact that we feel more comfortable with people we’re familiar with and filmmakers work with people they trust. How do you go from stranger to someone a filmmaker wants to work with?
For me, having an active Instagram account where I share my work and ideas frequently has been key to connecting with filmmakers before and/or after meeting them on Zoom or in-person.
Seeing the same person over and over again on your Instagram or YouTube feed builds familiarity. DMing the same person over the course of weeks is bound to do the same.
Be the composer on a filmmaker’s mind every time they open their social media and you’ll probably be the first person they think of when they have a project that’s perfect for you.
In my experience, watching hours of the same person talk and show you their work is a shortcut to trusting them as a collaborator. Meeting someone in person after dozens of interactions online bypasses so much of the initial awkwardness that can come with trying to work with a stranger.
If you don’t post on any social media platforms but want to expand your network of potential collaborators, I highly recommend you start posting now.
(In the future, I’ll cover different ideas for figuring out what you can post to attract your dream collaborators since this seems to be something a lot of aspiring indie film composers have).
Q: How do you integrate connecting w/ filmmakers into your social life?
A: Do you spend a lot of time scrolling on social media? Try using that time to comment on people’s stories or posts, ask questions, and be open to having deeper conversations. Eventually it can lead to hanging out in-person or chats over Zoom.
If you can do this efficiently without going down too many rabbit holes and protect your time and energy- connecting w/ filmmakers is easy, but you have to first and foremost love film.
That’s the only way it’s going to work out in my opinion.
I think that connecting with a filmmaker will be so much harder if you don’t even love film as much or even more than music.
I’ve always personally felt more drawn to music in the context of film or visual storytelling whether that’s something on screen or in my head.
I actually watch more film essays, critiques, and behind the scenes content than music tutorials and other composing related YouTube videos. I also like reading books a lot and taking the time to digest a story.
I’ve even read books that films were developed from and books that have yet to be adapted into films.
I think doing this has made it natural for me to connect with other storytellers and notice their work with greater sensitivity.
One of the best feelings to me as an artist is for someone to notice and appreciate my work on a deeper level, and express curiosity in my process.
If you can make a filmmaker feel appreciated in that way and lead with curiosity and wonder rather than your need for a job, integrating them into your life is natural.
