Composing

Here is one definition of a hobby: "A hobby is a pastime or leisure activity conducted in your spare time for recreation or pleasure."

Here is another possible definition from webster: "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation"

Or perhaps this one: "what defines...

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Here is one definition of a hobby: "A hobby is a pastime or leisure activity conducted in your spare time for recreation or pleasure."

Here is another possible definition from webster: "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation"

Or perhaps this one: "what defines a hobby? A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit."

And from the anals of the IRS:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-....

So as a composer or musician, are you doing it as a hobby or a business? And if you are creating or performing music without any intent of making money (or a profit), is it a hobby or a business.

And to complicate things, let's add the word 'retirement'. If you retire from a primary profession which is not music and now you are film composer or musician - are you doing it as a hobby or business? Or perhaps your being 'retired' has no impact on your status as a hobbyist or businessman.

So you may ask, "Who cares what you call it". Here are perhaps at least two reasons:

1. Perhaps (maybe not), if a filmmaker is considering hiring you to score and learns that you score for free or significantly reduced cost, that you may not be serious about the composing profession. They may judge you as a hobbyist who is seriously less qualified than a composing professional who gets paid.

2. In the U.S. (and perhaps other countries), you need to declare your 'intent' with the taxing authorities - if it is a business, you will need to agree to and adhere to a set of operating rules (especially if you don't work alone).

I have scored 35 films and 'retired' from my previous profession (my doctoral work was in Technology - Artificial Intelligence back in the 1970s) in 2003. I have only been paid for one film. I consider myself a composing professional for the last 21 years (not retired, not a hobbyist) and I have filed my composing as a business on my tax returns each year.

As a composer who recently created "Fire Queen"—a powerful and cinematic piece completed in under 2 hours—I want to share insights and strategies that helped me work efficiently while maintaining quality. The world of scoring for film, video, or theater requires not just creativity, but also the rig...

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Leonardo Ramirez

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2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Love this. Makes me really want to expand my music gear. And the dude's got a French Horn as well. Need to pick that back up again.

Linwood Bell

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1 week ago

Great stuff! Room full of talent there. Leo, I think you should go out this weekend and buy more gear and a French horn!! :)

Ashley Renee Smith

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5 days ago

I'm with Linwood Bell, Leonardo Ramirez! Get that French Horn!...

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Linwood Bell Ashley Renee Smith Must save up the pennies my friends. But yes, I will make this a goal. ;o)...

Maurice Vaughan

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2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Kerry Kennard
2 weeks ago

That's tough, but Batman Returns is my favorite Elfman score, Ashley Renee Smith. It's one of those scores that you know what movie it's from right away.

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- Ashley Renee Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

You mean like this?

https://vimeo.com/showcase/11435464

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

You're amazing, Linwood Bell! It sounds so cool and eery!

I completely agree, Maurice Vaughan!!

Once you understand the technique used, it writes itself.

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2 people like this
- Geoff Hall
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

The music in Dune 2 was incredible!

Neil Nayyar

For sure, one day I will work with Hans Zimmer. I really like his work and he inspired me to do film scoring.

Kerry Kennard

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2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Making a change to increase Profit resonates with me. It is a fact in business to change products to increase Revenue and Profit.

When I worked at Lowe’s, there were always certain paint item changes...

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Kerry Kennard
2 months ago

It's been the music business for me since I was 13. It's all I've ever done.

Jeff Briggs

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Joel Irwin Would it be fair to say that if you do what you love and can get paid for it, it's a business and if you do what you love but don't get paid for it, it's a hobby? Regardless, if any musicia...

Hence the LLC I set up a few years ago! :~). www.kerrykennard.com - I have two gigs this weekend and had a friend / client pay for the percussion recording this week. First inquiry for Conga lessons c...

Mark Pilligreen

Business can be such a creative journey, right? Just like in this artwork, it’s all about finding those unique opportunities and looking at things from a fresh angle. Real estate, for example, isn’t j...

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Shahriar Vaghfrahmani

Kerry Kennard I was now searching how to use edit notation(score) on Cubase like Musescore! and You said Dorico that maybe I found the answer :) Thaaanks

1 week ago

Dear Sam Sokolow, you made me happy by this comment :)

Thanks Maurice Vaughan

Shahriar Vaghfrahmani - here’s the new news about Cubase - it is in the new version (14).

https://blog.dorico.com/2024/11/cubase-14-score-editor/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgN......

You're welcome, Shahriar Vaghfrahmani.

Allen Lynch

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4 people like this
2 weeks ago

Amazingly talented person who lived an amazing life. Q will be missed,

Amanda Toney

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Evelyn Von Warnitz
2 weeks ago

Such an icon who contributed so much to our world. So sad. Rest in peace.

Karen "Kay" Ross

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2 people like this
- Kerry Kennard
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

I just heard! The end of an era, to be sure. He was a champion for so many other icons, I can’t even imagine anyone else in history comparing to his popular culture contributions.

Rafael Brom

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones was a music giant.

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2 people like this
- Karen "Kay" Ross
- Maurice Vaughan
2 weeks ago

amazing talent and music Legend.

Yes Karen "Kay" Ross - his contributions in writing as well as performing are great! From my general studies in music as well as jazz music degree, his life has touche...

Thanks for sharing your insights and strategies, Shahriar Vaghfrahmani. Incredible score!

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3 people like this
2 weeks ago

Yes, Shahriar Vaghfrahmani , having DAW templates are important! I was thinking of one this weekend, though thought about the tempo; guess I could have changed it, though did think about sounds / VSTs...

As with any profession, you need to be able to do it right and do it right now.

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2 people like this
- Kerry Kennard
- Pat Savage
2 weeks ago

Also, sometimes I take the tempo from the vide...

Pat Savage

Brilliant! Subbed your channel!

Chase Cysco

Shahriar Vaghfrahmani That’s a cool idea! I’ve never actually thought about sitting behind the stage, but I bet the sound is super different back there. I usually just go for the regular seats, but no...

Chase Cysco ! I experienced it once by accident and fell in love with it so much that I experienced it on purpose the next time. Because it felt exactly the same as you said!

THE SOUND WAS LIKE I AM TH...

I’ve met and emailed Elena! She does have great advice as well as has done a lot in the Composing community/ industry.

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1 person likes this
- Ashley Renee Smith
2 months ago

You're right, Kerry Kennard. Elena has great advice! I always learn things from her blogs and posts.

I read in the book, On the Track, the relationship between the Director and the Composer has to be good, making sure all goes smoothly during the course of the Movie.

it’s like 2-3 pages long what all is mentioned between this relationship. (in like 10 pt) type.

;-)

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CRAFT AND BUSINESS

GENERAL DISCUSSION

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