return woes

[guitaroboe]

Ok,
I know that this will sound like a 'sour grapes' case but I think I have a valid case here. I need to get this off my chest so, please bear with me: The listing #D100119IN stated:
'Fun, Exciting, Upbeat Orchestral Instrumentals are need by a Entertainment Company that specializes in Hollywood movie trailers and soundtracks. Think of Fantasy / Adventure movies like Alice In Wonderland, Night At The Museum, Hocus Pocus, Monsters vs. Aliens, Toy Story, etc. They need fast, loud pieces with hard starts, instrumental breaks, and building intensity with sinister undertones.'
After doing my homework and listening to the trailer music of ALL the above, I submitted two tracks FABLE REVISITED and MONSTERS (you may listen to both at http://www.taxi.com/adonis_aletras). FABLE REVISITED I had sitting around for a while, and MONSTERS, I composed especially for the listing after listening to the official 'Alice in wonderland' trailer music (found on youtube).
Both my tracks were returned by listener #53 and since it was a DISPATCH listing-there was no explanation. Here's my question: did listener #53 ever bother to listen to the trailer music that accompanies 'Alice in wonderland' or even 'Toy Story'???
The listing clearly states both and both of them feature a very distinctive orchestral style that is not based on Stormdrum sounds and sound FX that almost all the other referenced movies' trailers feature.
I mean...COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! trailer music is NOT always loud bangs and crashes as both 'Alice in wonderland' and 'Toy Story' clearly demonstrate!!! and I'm not saying that one style is better than the other-that's not my point at all. All I'm saying is that the listing caters for BOTH styles! I have a suspicion that my MONSTERS track, was returned because listener #53 ignored the orchestral style altogether. I urge all fellow writers on TAXI to listen to MONSTERS and honestly say that it doesn't have TRAILER MUSIC written all over it. It's an expertly composed-produced piece of trailer music, inspired by stuff that is already out there-no more, no less.
To the powers that be at TAXI, I say this: TAXI is and has been my biggest learning experience in 2009, but you should be careful not to deny your members of valid, well deserved opportunities.
warmest regards
Adonis

[Casey H]

Adonis
What you should do is contact taxi directly and discuss this. Email to headscreener@taxi.com or call the 800 number.

I'm not knowledgeable enough in this type of trailer music to offer you an opinion as to whether or not your tracks met the listing criteria well enough for a forward. I'm sure others here can offer some thoughts.

However, I don't think "I DEMAND a forward" is the best way to phrase your communication to Taxi (or most anyone). As soon as you use language like that, people draw certain conclusions about you, get defensive, etc. It would be much better to simply contact Taxi, express your concern about why you thought your pieces should have been forwarded and ask for clarification. Try to catch the files with honey before the gun.

Good luck
Casey

[crs7string]

Adonis,

I listened to your tracks and they are very well produced.

The listing does not specifically reference that they want trailer music that sounds like the trailer music of the films referenced.

I read the listing as referencing the "style" of the scores.

Another part of the listing states "sinister overtones" To you, does "Monsters" have sinister overtones?

I believe that a big part of success in getting a forward is "reading into the listing" not just reading the listing and picking out the parts that jump out on the first reading.

I think you submitted a good track but it's not hitting on all the listing cylinders.

Also, I don't think it is the greatest strategy to post this rant in three places. It makes it very difficult to have a reasonable discussion with people responding in three places. (it also tends to make you look like you could possibly difficult to work with, which I'm sure is not your intent)


Returns, and occasionally returns that make no sense are part of this process. Personally, I've developed an immune system to results like this return, largely due to the fact, in the big scheme of things, it doesn't matter. I do not want my success as a composer to be contingent on one forward OR one return. That's not my vision of long term success.

Chuck

[mfowler]

Adonis,
I agree with Chuck and Casey... that is some really good advice!!
Your songs sound great, but possibly could be more "sinister".
With so much talent at Taxi, the screeners have to be super picky.
It is just a matter of finding the right listings to match up to those songs.
It is a real challenge interpreting the listings and I find that I have to read them very carefully, several times.
I also post songs in P2P if I have any doubts about the song I'm submitting... making sure I supply a clear context for the song.
I have made corrections based on user feedback that I'm sure have helped me get them forwarded.
best of luck,
Marlin

[mazz]

I think you got the fantasy part, but the sinister part doesn't come through. Monsters is sinister but in a more light hearted playful way.

Of course, this is just my opinion. The pieces are good, and sound like trailer music and I wouldn't hesitate to continue to submit them for trailer listings.

I was forwarded for this, and one of the pieces that was forwarded was returned for a different listing, so I wouldn't waste too much adrenaline on one set of returns because these will probably get forwarded somewhere else.

It sucks to get returned, but it happens all the time. If you are going to play the game, you are going to get smacked down,................. a lot.

Hang in there,

Mazz

[guitaroboe]

ThaNks to everyone for your advice.
It's nice to see fellow writers devote their precious time for others!
I've been a TAXI member for a year now and I've had 13 forwards and about 50 returns. Believe me, I'm used to being
shot down. My first 3 months were nothing but returns,however, after improving myself in several areas
(production, writing, and deciphering the listings) the forwards started pouring in.

I agree that the 'sinister' tone may not be too evident on MONSTERS but it neither is on the official Toy Story
trailer that the listing originally referenced. The the listing should have been clearer.

Mazz, you're right, I won't spend any more adrenaline on this!
warmest regards to all