This past weekend I went to a seminar taught by Mark Northam entitled 'Breaking into the Film & TV Music Business'. It was put on by the Film Music Institute. It was a pretty good course and I learned a lot. I had read Donald S Passman book called 'All you need to know about the music business'. There not equivalent or anything but they do kinda have the same point. The point is to be educated about how the music industry works and know what you're getting into. Mark's course was good because it dealt specifically with composers for film and TV. There were plenty of songwriters there and production companies, etc and he did a good job of covering the differences between songwriting and how it works and composing and how it worked. They're not totally different but it was good to know the difference. We did a bunch of good stuff. Here's what the course blurb said about itself:
This high-impact course focuses on specific methods and techniques songwriters and composers can use to immediately get work in the film and television music business, including where to find jobs, how to approach filmmakers, deal points on film and television projects, contracts and licenses, how to maximize your royalty income, and how to build your business in the industry.Whether you're at the beginning of your career or are looking to move to the next level of the business, this course will give you practical, usable techniques that you can use immediately to build your career in the film and television music business.
That pretty much sums it up. I liked Mark. I know some people might not enjoy him but I like people who aren't afraid to say what they mean. Directly and to the point is one thing more people need. Why skirt around the issue because you're worried about hurting someone's feelings or something like that? It never helps communication and just leaves everyone feeling bitter in the end. If I can get a guy to tell me about the music business who knows what it's about...great!
In short: good guy, good course, good information....go to it!