If I become a composer, should I compose for movies or videogames?!

If I become a composer, should I compose for movies or videogames?

5 days ago
I mean by music if you didn't get it before.

First you take your theory, counterpoint, form and style, orchestration, and composition classes at college or a university. By the time you finish that you should have a good idea of where your interests lie and your composition professors should be able to give you some guidance in launching your career.

In addition to movies and videogames you might consider writing music for radio/TV ads (jingles), doing arrangments for recording sessions or writing stage musicals. You can also write for the educational market or just write "classical" style music (not a lot of money in the last two!).

While you are in college make a point of seeking out others to network with in other areas. For instance if the school has a TV/film production department connect with some of the other students and offer to write some music for their films. Or team up with a computer geek from the computer tech department who is into writing his own videogames.

This will not only give you some experience, but will start to build you a portfolio of examples in those areas in addition to the things you will write in your composition classes.

Also plan to add a jazz composition/arranging class or two to your schedule if not in your degree plan. You will need this if you plan to work in commericial music productions or movies. You will want to be able to write in any style from "classical" (ala John Williams) to "jazz" (ala Henry Mancini) and everything inbetween. The late Leonard Bernstein is a good example. He wrote everything from symphonic orchestra scores to pop and jazz scores (West Side Story). You must have a full "tool kit" to compete.

Best wishes and good luck.

Musician, published composer, teacher.