Mentor lunches for us instrumental composers?

[kevinmathie]

Hi all,Just curious: I'm thinking about signing up for a mentor lunch at this year's Taxi Rally. But, I'm not a songwriter. I'm an instrumentalist -- one that specializes in orchestral music, no less. So, how valuable will a mentor lunch be for me?Kevin

[kevinmathie]

Oops! I meant to post this in the General Hangout section! How the hell did I end up here?!? Kevin

[hummingbird]

Oct 13, 2008, 2:27pm, kevinmathie wrote:Hi all,Just curious: I'm thinking about signing up for a mentor lunch at this year's Taxi Rally. But, I'm not a songwriter. I'm an instrumentalist -- one that specializes in orchestral music, no less. So, how valuable will a mentor lunch be for me?KevinLast year I ended up at a table with several Dots who were all doing film/tv instrumentals... seemed to work out good for us, in terms of asking effective questions.Just a personal note for me... I figure I might get to ask one question of each mentor... so I have a plan of what I'm going to ask and I make sure to ask it. The way I look at it is... and Anne made a great post about this with reference to the Mentor Appointment... even if it's someone who doesn't have specific knowledge to your area, if you tell them what you're doing I'm sure they would have some wise words to share. Even asking how to network effectively or approach panelists at a conference, for example, could be questions to ask of an A&R rep for a major label, who has nothing to do (at least on the surface) with film/tv placements. Or that same rep might also be a screener for Taxi and if you have questions about the process, they can likely answer them. And if you get a film/tv rep... then you ask your specific instrumental questions.Just a few thoughts from me

[heinsite]

howdy, FWIW, (and vicky knows more about this than myself, i'm the opposite, not a musician much at all, but a songwriter (words/music and demo'd out), but i signed up for the friday lunch--when i saw that we get to give out a tune to a "real" decision maker, as they rotate between tables--possibly 4 as they rotate through the table and waiters...other than the comraderie and a few words of wisdom, that's what hooked me....the best,warren