Prepared Me For The Real World

[sguiles]

Hey Taxi Peeps,

I'm a failure at posting regularly in the forums, but I wanted to share a story that I believe I could NEVER have shared five years ago heading into my first real Rally.

Yesterday morning a client sent me an email asking if I could compose and upload a cue for him no later than Thursday night. (btw- This NEVER would have happened five years ago because I had close to ZERO industry contacts).


Now comes the Taxi training, insight, and education.

I went through several steps in my mind:

1. Do I have the time to devote to this project and finish it in time?
2. Do I even understand WHAT the client is asking me for?
3. Do I have the particular skill set this client needs to achieve what he wants?

First, I wouldn't even BE in this situation unless I had been a Taxi member for months/years.
Second, the answers to all of the questions was a resounding YES because I'd been a member of Taxi and understand what he was asking for.

I'm glad to say that I finished, uploaded the cue, and responded and created stems for my client all within a day.

I've also learned a lot about being a professional from Taxi. How and WHAT to ask a client. What to do and what NOT to do. And most importantly, I had the confidence to say "yes" and then complete what I said I would, earlier than expected, and meeting or exceeding expectations.

Thanks Taxi! This community has done many amazing far-reaching things for me and my career.

I still feel like a newbie many times, but I also feel quite confident in telling people that I'm a PROFESSIONAL and I write music of FILM and TELEVISION. And I really believe it.

Thanks, Taxi!

p.s. This was also one of those paying gigs, that even if the music DOESN'T get used, I'll still get paid.

[markhimley]

That's awesome!!

This is great to hear for an actual newbie like myself! (I say actual because I've been hearing your name and praise since I started TAXI)

Thanks for sharing your story, it's always nice to be reminded what is in store for those who stick it out - I'll be heading to my first Rally this year!

[Cowsemail]

Hi Steven

I'm glad you shared your story. I've only been a Taxi member for about 10 months, but being a member has opened my mind to a whole I never knew existed. I've only had a couple of forwards so far, but it's good to know with some persistence you can get work in this industry. I look forward to opportunities in the future, Thanks again for sharing.

[funsongs]

Great report, Steven.

[sguiles]

Mark,

Awesome! The Rally is about the BEST thing ever.
And it took me going to 3 or 4 to really start feeling super comfortable and getting to KNOW people.

I know have a group of lifelong friends and collaborators!
If I were to point to the MOST valuable thing Taxi offers, it would probably be those relationships that are formed.

Thought I don't spend much time in the forums these days, the forums are also where I met my first and longest collaborator, Pedro Costa.

Now I collaborate with a ton of really great people. And it was very organic and slow process. Much like life.
We get out what we put in.
It definitely requires time and effort.

I'm a husband, father of three, full-time teacher, AND musician.
I make time each week to write at least ONE new song. During the summers when I'm off, I write more (like the original post - - I'm not as able to do that during the school year).

@Cowsemail - Keep doing the work! I had VERY few forwards in my first years. I used the info I got (and custom critiques) to really evaluate what I was doing right or wrong. Plus, even songs that were rejected found homes later in life.

[Cowsemail]

Hey Steven
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I did attend the Road Rally last year and was debating if I would go back this year. I'll keep grinding.

[markhimley]

It definitely sounds like you've got a lot on your plate!

I've heard nothing but great things about the Rally, so I am definitely very excited. It's not hard to believe about the relationships either; the TAXI community is so generous and positive and filled with wonderful people.

Thanks again for sharing!