Another ambiguous return.

[wings]

Taxi has got to start meaning what they write with these descriptions.-----SERIOUS INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSERS NEEDED by a Music Producer who is creating a new independent music library and already has several TAXI composers under his roof. He is looking for composers IN ALL GENRES and said no stone will be left unturned in that respect. Although he is the provider of music for a huge daytime television talk show, he wants to make it clear that the composers he is looking to sign to the library will focus on other projects he is working on and will not compete with the composers working on the talk show. You must be able to work as a team player, take direction and deliver on time. ÊHe needs someone who uses high quality samples and has state-of-the-art equipment. ÊHe's definitely looking for a "pro" and not someone who works during the day, as he'll need you to be available for quick turnaround assignments and same day edits when necessary. He'd like someone with experience with syncing to tape. His deal offer is non-exclusive (except with other libraries) and you keep 100% of the writer's share. ÊAll submissions need to be Broadcast Quality. ÊPlease submit two to three instrumentals online or per CD, include Bio. ÊAll submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Monday, August 17, 2009. TAXI #Y090817IN----------Three comments for the returns:1. Could have more impact, in general. Took a while to get going.2. Once again, nice writing but the performance could have more energy and fire.3. Pleasant, but could have a more fully developed ensemble.----------This is not fair. The listing didn't talk about impact, but "for composers IN ALL GENRES "If you want impact-SAY WHAT YOU MEAN FOR A CHANGE.If you want more energy and fire "SAY WHAT YOU MEAN FOR A CHANGE"If you want a full orchestral score "SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND DON'T SAY FOR ALL GENRES"

[fusilierb]

I feel your pain Wings! What is the tune you submitted?B

[wings]

Aug 26, 2009, 9:33pm, fusilierb wrote:I feel your pain Wings! What is the tune you submitted?BThree Songs:Alien WorldDepartureWe are Antshttp://www.taxi.com/wingsIronically, some of these songs just got signed. Someone thought I was serious enough to sign them. If only Taxi knew how serious I really am.

[k o star]

Wings,Alien World is Beautiful... So is Departure... Love the harps on We are Ants...I love the feel of all Ur works... A lot of them have a sense of flying... elevation...If U got these returned due to the missing elements (Impact, Energy & Fire) then I think it's not fair that it wasn't mentioned in the listing...I hope these recent ambiguousness get fixed real soon...-Kel

[billg]

I think somehow you've tapped into something . . . I see that you're a pilot and I agree with kel. the songs of yours I've listened to do have a feeling of "liftoff, soaring, flying etc.". pretty cool niche. It sounds as if the screener was wanting to hear more energized tracks which doesn't seem to be your style (in general) . His/her remarks do seem to be in conflict with the "IN ALL GENRES and said no stone will be left unturned in that respect" comment.

[Casey H]

Hi WingsThat damn bug avatar still gets me!!Which comments went with which track? That would help. These are really good tracks. The fact that they got signed elsewhere is testament to that. However, not everyone has the same wants or standards. The party that ran this listing has a long standing relationship with taxi so I would think he either does his own screening or has someone at taxi very much in sync with how he thinks.I really don't think the listing description is at issue here. When asking for serious instrumental composers for TV, you really don't have to spell out things like "impact", "energy", etc... If a listing asks for great songs, it doesn't have to say, "no crap lyrics that make no sense" (an exaggeration to make a point).I do see how "all genres" can be confusing but it's in the context of the entirety of the listing.That doesn't mean this tracks might not get forwarded for other listings. Here, as I said, this party works closely with taxi, has tons of film/TV experience for daytime TV, and knows what works for him and what doesn't.BTW, don't feel ragged on but part of his requirement to "be a pro" is to take feedback and rejection constructively and learn from it. Imagine you were working for him, and said "You didn't tell me it had to have impact and energy!" You'd be out on your ass in a second.You have really good tracks. They very well might be placed as they already have been signed.Good luck! And kill that damn bug! Casey

[hummingbird]

I think the screener's commments relate to the kind of composition that is required when writing specifically for tv. In my mind, that means shorter tracks that say right from the start what they are - melodic elements that repeat with counterpoint in a A-B-A kind of configuration. All these tracks have good elements but aren't composed in that manner, they are more like film underscore. If you've signed them elsewhere, don't take it too much to heart. Once you calm down, listen to what was forwarded, observe how those compositions work differently to yours and try to learn from it.HUGS

[wings]

Aug 27, 2009, 5:55am, Horowitz wrote:Hi WingsThat damn bug avatar still gets me!!Which comments went with which track? That would help. These are really good tracks. The fact that they got signed elsewhere is testament to that. However, not everyone has the same wants or standards. The party that ran this listing has a long standing relationship with taxi so I would think he either does his own screening or has someone at taxi very much in sync with how he thinks.I really don't think the listing description is at issue here. When asking for serious instrumental composers for TV, you really don't have to spell out things like "impact", "energy", etc... If a listing asks for great songs, it doesn't have to say, "no crap lyrics that make no sense" (an exaggeration to make a point).I do see how "all genres" can be confusing but it's in the context of the entirety of the listing.That doesn't mean this tracks might not get forwarded for other listings. Here, as I said, this party works closely with taxi, has tons of film/TV experience for daytime TV, and knows what works for him and what doesn't.BTW, don't feel ragged on but part of his requirement to "be a pro" is to take feedback and rejection constructively and learn from it. Imagine you were working for him, and said "You didn't tell me it had to have impact and energy!" You'd be out on your ass in a second.You have really good tracks. They very well might be placed as they already have been signed.Good luck! And kill that damn bug! CaseyThanks Casey. Sorry about the bug. I can take criticism - provided that it's on target. And believe me, I WILL correct it. I don't have a problem with that. The issue though is that the listing is ambiguous as to what they want. I understand some songs don't work for certain listings - but the PURPOSE for the listing (or at least the way I took it) was to show flexibility in writing styles. I think I did that. I gave an New Age, orchestral, and a light instrument piece to show how SERIOUS I was. At this point, I feel like Taxi took my 15 bucks and moved on.And quite honestly, if someone was that ambiguous to me about work - to the point that they'd kick me out on my ass- then take the damn job and go elsewhere, because my attention to detail would be much greater than that.I currently own 4 companies and this music stuff is - by far - the CHEESIEST way to do business.The three comments:Alient world1. Could have more impact, in general. Took a while to get going.Departure2. Once again, nice writing but the performance could have more energy and fire.We are ants3. Pleasant, but could have a more fully developed ensemble.Sorry- but I get fired up about crap when Taxi tells me to "Bring it" - and when I do - they don't stand up.You can make money in this business, but you have to blow past the Dream Stoppers. Clearly this is one of those instances.

[wings]

Aug 27, 2009, 9:55am, hummingbird wrote:I think the screener's commments relate to the kind of composition that is required when writing specifically for tv. In my mind, that means shorter tracks that say right from the start what they are - melodic elements that repeat with counterpoint in a A-B-A kind of configuration. All these tracks have good elements but aren't composed in that manner, they are more like film underscore. If you've signed them elsewhere, don't take it too much to heart. Once you calm down, listen to what was forwarded, observe how those compositions work differently to yours and try to learn from it.HUGSTHen - SAY IT'S FOR TV - and say the cue's should be SHORT - and TO THE POINT. Why not? How hard is that to put it in there? I'd reconsider submitting the songs then! I'm calm - I'm pissed, but I'm calm. I'm just sick of the ambiguity.

[crs7string]

"You can make money in this business, but you have to blow past the Dream Stoppers. Clearly this is one of those instances."TAXI screeners are only dreamstoppers if you let them stop your dream.The music business is not black and white, but all shades of gray. Returns are part of this game, forwards are part of this game. I don't fly airplanes but I do know you can't just have take offs, landings are also part of the game.I also know that this lister does read the Forum postings. Being easy to work with and open to criticism are criteria that are mandatory elements to have a relationship with his business.Grumbling about a return or two doesn't strike me as being open to criticism and being easy to work with.I've had other library owners express this same view. They don't want to spend time arguing with a composer to make changes and/or convince a composer that a track doesn't work, they just go on to the next composer.You missed the mark on this one, so what, there will be other listings and other forwards.AND, there will be other perceived stupid returns. I view the returns as part of the tuition of developing a healthy "non-attachment" from my work. In the big picture of success in music production, one return (or one forward) doesn't mean a damn thing.Chuck