Can't have a day job?

[jlizerbram]

I saw the following Dispatch listing come through today, and I think I've seen the similar requirements in previous listings from this library:Quote:SERIOUS INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSERS who write PERIOD type INSTRUMENTALS needed by a Music Producer who is creating a new independent music library and already has several TAXI composers under his roof. Period pieces can range from Medieval to Renaissance to Ancient Civilization to 1800's to 1900's, etc. Instrumentals ONLY! He is currently the provider of music for a huge daytime television talk show but wants to make clear that the Composers he signs to the library will focus on the other projects he is involved in 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. He is open to both domestic and international writers. He needs someone who uses high quality samples and has state-of-the-art equipment. He'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. We ran this as a broader listing #Y090817IN in the July 1st set of regular listings and now he wants to hear specific genres. If you submitted to the referenced listing, please send in new material this time around. All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality. Please submit two to three instrumentals online or per CD, include Bio. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than 2:00pm (PST) on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.I'm wondering how many of us this would apply to? I believe most of us have day jobs, but aren't we ALL professional? Even though I have a day job, I consider myself a professional in the musical sense as well. Sorry, I'm not getting the jist of these types of requirements, apparently. Any thoughts?Thanks.

[mazz]

Even a full time composer has a day job. It's called "composing for a living". But I think what the listing party is asking is that the person has a flexible enough schedule to be able to handle last minute requests for pieces and/or edits. It's a common situation to have a big deal request come in on Friday night, due Monday with any requested edits due Tuesday. I think it's assumed that a full time composer could juggle other clients around to accommodate such requests, which might not always be a reasonable assumption. Even a full time composer with a full plate and other deadlines might not be able to fulfill such a request.I work a full time gig but it's a shift gig and I have been able to deal with this kind of stuff so far. Sometimes I don't sleep much, though!Anyway, it's up to you if you think you can pull it off. If you get the call, you'll have to be upfront about your situation because if you take on a project, you have to deliver on time, no matter what.HTH,Mazz

[matto]

Well the idea is this...if you write something on Monday night, and say a producer hears it on Tuesday at 2PM, likes it but wants to hear a few specific changes implemented right away, like within an hour, you're not going to be able to do it if you are at your day gig.I happen to know that this happened to this particular listing party in the past and it ended up being an issue. Hence the wording in this listing.Of course even if you are a full-time composer you still may not be able to do the changes in an hour if you are under a deadline with a different project, but usually you can shift things around.Now be smart and look for the hidden message... That being said...as far as I know most composers working for this individual have day gigs so it would appear he's not insisting on this particular issue as much as the listing would appear to imply...

[mazz]

We posted at exactly the same time, Matt!!

[fusilierb]

I would say, that if you have this kind of music in the bag, or can produce it fairly quickly, that you should take the chance here. I wouldn't worry too much about that requirement, but be prepared to not sleep for a night if you're lucky enough to have some last minute revisions requested. But I'd imagine that if that happened, you probably wouldn't be able to sleep that much that night anyhow. B

[jlizerbram]

Quote:Now be smart and look for the hidden message... Thanks for clarifying, Matto! Hope to meet all of you at the rally.-Jeff

[k o star]

Jeff... Duweet... Just duweet!! If U get it, U won't regret it!! ^_^K

[mfowler]

"Ancient Civilization"... hmmmm.. wonder if I have any samples of a log drum......

[ckbarlow]

Yeah, I wish now (having spoken with Matto about this at the Rally) that I would have submitted. I took it absolutely at its word and, being brought up that honesty is king, did not submit because of that wording. Sigh...

[johnnythunderbox]

I say go for it! If they really, really like your music and really, really want you, then, gosh, that's a really, really good problem to have!