Well, it's has been just over a year since I began in earnest with TAXI. I started after my 2017 Rally visit. Although, I had been a member for a little while before learning the ropes for writing music for film and TV which was new to me at the time. I have watched many, many hours of TAXI TV Live, talked to some Forum members and ended up travelling to LA for the 2017 TAXI Road Rally. It was a fantastic time for me. Meeting like-minded people. I learned that I was on the right tracks and but learned so much more of what I needed to do and how to do it and I also learned what not to do, which I guess is just as important if you want to be taken seriously.
I would have loved to attended the 2018 Rally but unfortunately, I just didn’t have the funds.
In the 2017 Rally, I met Michael, Chuck, Matt Vander B and many other Forums members, albeit briefly. I was in the queue/line with Steve and Jason (I did emailed you Jason?) along with Graham (Telefunkin) and Ed. Who would have thought waiting for hours and hours for the Rally to open could be so much fun and informative.
One year on, I still feel that I'm still learning the ropes but I’m getting quicker and making better decisions and improving my workflow. What I have also learned, that being good or even very good isn’t …erm… good enough. This showed me that I have some way to go with the quality versus production versus speed triangle. This is the workflow I’m trying to streamline.
In the meantime, I have also had a few issues with my submissions, which were totally own fault. For example, not reading the brief correctly, hence submitting a cue instead of a song - Doh!
Not getting a handle on the genre for the reference tracks, therefore submitting incorrect material - Doh! ... And... one being considered too close to the reference track! Doh!! I have written around 20 + tracks (songs and cues) this year specifically for listings. I got one forward and got offered a contract. However, after taking advice, I didn't sign it. But I was encouraged that I got that far and another insight as to how the industry works.
Of course, I have also had rejections with some very encouraging feedback. So, I feel I’m still on the tracks. As for the other feedback… I agree with and some I disagree with others (after all we are at the mercy of the TAXI screeners, but that's the nature of the game). That said, the criticism has always been constructive and useful, so no complaints.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to my second year to see if I can do better and build from my mistakes and advice from other Forum members.
Cheers All
