One On One Mentor Advice

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Casey H
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One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Casey H » Thu Oct 20, 2022 5:18 pm

If you are coming for the first time and are not familiar with how this works, I thought I'd throw in some advice.

Every member when they register gets to pick a mentor for a one on one 15 minute session. It's best that you read up on the mentors before you arrive and note a few that you would prefer. One important reason to get on the registration line (besides networking with other members) as early as you can is it's first-come-first-serve as far as choice of mentor. The earlier you register, the more choice. Try to pick someone who is knowledgeable in what you are interested in such as Film/TV cues, Film/TV songs, general songwriting, lyrics, pitching songs to artists, etc.

Be very prepared as far as what music you want to play, what questions you have, etc.. 15 minutes is an incredibly short time so get the most out of it. What do you want to get out of your mentor session? If you have a particular song you are most interested in showing, have your device set to play that song when you get there. If you want the mentor to quickly scan parts of a few songs, have a playlist of just those songs and have the device set to play the playlist.

Taxi says there might be some CD players available but they strongly recommend having your music on your device. As mentioned elsewhere, if your device requires a lightning to headphone converter, bring one. A headphone splitter so you both can hear what's being played is also very helpful. These devices are easy to find on line at Amazon.

Lastly, the mentor session is for learning, not for "being discovered". While great things have sometimes happened (you never know!) if you count on that, you will walk away disappointed.

HTH
:D Casey

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by fretman » Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:52 pm

It looks like the 1-1 mentor program runs for several hours each day (11:15am - 4:00pm on Friday, 10:45amm - 3:30pm on Saturday). So I'm guessing not only do we sign up with a person, but we also sign up for a 15 minute time slot. Is that right?

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Casey H » Thu Oct 27, 2022 4:55 pm

fretman wrote:
Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:52 pm
It looks like the 1-1 mentor program runs for several hours each day (11:15am - 4:00pm on Friday, 10:45amm - 3:30pm on Saturday). So I'm guessing not only do we sign up with a person, but we also sign up for a 15 minute time slot. Is that right?
Yes, you get assigned one 15 minute time slot with the mentor you choose. Make sure you have a list of at least 5 possible mentors of interest to you since they book quickly. Even though the mentor program runs several hours a day, the individual mentors generally may do it only 1 hour a day. So a given mentor may only be available at 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, and 12 noon on Friday and another 4 slots on Saturday (for example). As I mentioned, it's first come first serve so register as early as you can.

:D Casey

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Paulie » Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:12 am

Advice based on personal experience: Once you pick your mentor time slot, add a reminder on your phone for the slot, plus another 15 minutes prior so you can get there on time. It is easy to be late, or totally forget about it with all of the activity going on.
Paul "yo paulie!" Croteau
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http://www.yopauliemusic.com | https://www.taxi.com/members/paulcroteau | https://youtube.com/@yopauliemusic

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Telefunkin » Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:42 am

Some suggestions:

- Some mentors get all their slots snapped up rapidly, so if you want to get your first choice go immediately from registration to book your mentor slot.

- Make sure you know EXACTLY where the 1-1 mentor sessions will be held, and do so well ahead of your session. The Westin is HUGE and you don't want to be wandering about lost when you should be making the most of the opportunity.

- Be aware that your assigned time slot is likely to fall in the middle of some other event elsewhere in the Westin. Therefore, if you're attending another event be prepared to get out of the room without a fuss (stay near the door) and maybe ask a friend to take notes for you on what you miss. Leave enough time to get across the hotel.

- Be early rather than late. Its not fair on the mentor or anyone else who's desperate to speak with them. Consider your 15 minute time slot as set in stone because you'll only get one chance at it.

- Have your questions ready in your head (or written down), and your music ready on your player (or whatever your medium). There's no spare time to be fiddling about and risking annoying the mentor too. Have your headphone splitter ready so you can listen at the same time, cue the music, and be sure the right track is playing. If the music is on CD make sure you know the track number(s).

- Its up to you what you want to ask or discuss, so don't expect the mentor to lead the chat. You're in the driving seat, but you'll get the most from this if you chose your mentor well, so they're specialised in the area of most interest to you (library music, artist development, etc).

- Be focused and relevant. Its better to ask things like 'is this light tension track good enough to be accepted by a library such as yours, and if not, why not?', rather than 'How long will it take for me to get my royalties for an international placement' (ie things that you could find out yourself or ask elsewhere).

- The MOST annoying thing is when the person ahead of you keeps the mentor talking at the end of their time slot and just won't leave, eating into the YOUR precious minutes. Don't be that person :).

- Take notes on the advice you get. Those words might just change your future.
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by cosmicdolphin » Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:28 pm

Telefunkin is my mentor. 8-)

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Telefunkin » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:39 am

cosmicdolphin wrote:
Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:28 pm
Telefunkin is my mentor. 8-)
Mark's joking of course, but I do know a lot about how NOT to do things :roll: :lol:.
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Casey H » Sat Oct 29, 2022 7:26 am

Telefunkin wrote:
Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:39 am
Mark's joking of course, but I do know a lot about how NOT to do things :roll: :lol:.
But that's half the battle! :D

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Re: One On One Mentor Advice

Post by Telefunkin » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:20 am

Casey H wrote:
Sat Oct 29, 2022 7:26 am
Telefunkin wrote:
Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:39 am
Mark's joking of course, but I do know a lot about how NOT to do things :roll: :lol:.
But that's half the battle! :D
Yep, I've just got the other half to get right now :).
Graham (UK). Still composing a little faster than decomposing, and 100% HI.

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