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Issue #230

Weekly Newsletter

by Liya Swift

X
Student Successes

   

Recording Connection grad Jeff McQuilkin
Composes Original Music for Film & TV

  

Recording Connection grad, composer Jeff McQuilkin

Recording Connection graduate, composer Jeff McQuilkin

We recently caught up with Recording Connection grad Jeff McQuilkin (New York, NY). Jeff first came to RRFC as a freelance writer and served as the co-editor and co-writer of this publication (and more) for a number of years. Seeing RRFC’s approach and just how effective it can be for individuals who are hungry to learn and willing to put in the hard work, ultimately led Jeff to become a student himself.

 

As well as a gifted writer, Jeff is a lifelong musician, composer, and pianist. When his college-aged son started directing film, Jeff found himself involved in scoring the music. The Recording Connection mentors who trained Jeff in our Audio Engineering & Music Production program were able to meet Jeff on his level and help him to elevate his skills and savvy. 

 

Now, Jeff’s got a booming career composing original music for film, television, and media. Read on to learn more about how Jeff turned his goals into surefire reality, one smart decision at a time.

 

So Jeff, you scored your fifth short film last year which is currently making the festival rounds. How did you land that project?

  “I met an independent writer/director here in New York at a networking event, and we chatted it up for a while and hit it off. He was in the postproduction phase for his short film. I told him a little bit about what I do, my vision for helping to elevate projects for the purposes of improving their chances of getting into film festivals and that kind of thing…”

 

So a few weeks later he reached out to me and said, ‘I’ve listened to everything on your website. I love what you do. I want you to score this. So interestingly enough, it’s a 20 minute film and it’s almost entirely silent, so there’s more than 15 minutes of music in there. So yeah, we completed it last year, and it’s gotten into a couple of festivals and he continues to send it out, and probably the most significant thing is that locally it got placed on an online festival… He actually won in his category for dramatic film. So his short film (“Ode to An Urn”) now gets to play on Roku for a year.” 

You moved to New York City three years ago. Since then, you’ve had 35 placements of your music on television shows including American Pickers and The Filthy Rich Guide. How did you do it?

 

“I work with a music supervisor that has a music library that is exclusive to those shows and a few others, and they’re always looking for new shows, and they’re also exclusive to their artists… Optimally, if you’re going to write music for a music library, you want to write for something that’s exclusive. In other words, the music you send them can only be used by them. And while that may restrict your ability to get your music to a lot of different places, the libraries that are exclusive tend to be more aggressive with the placement. So that is why I have written so far about 70 tracks for this library, and I have 35 placements to show for it…One of the benefits, is that they give me very specific information about what type of music they’re looking for, they send me regular briefs about what the show runners are asking for, and then as long as I’m writing in that vein and mixing it properly, then they have a high probability of placement.”

 

Has making connections really been an important ingredient in your success?

 

“The music supervisor that I met [and work with] came to a networking event, [so that] came from making connections. This director came from making connections…That’s what we always have talked about with RRFC is that it’s a relationship-based industry. So far that has proven true for me. All the gigs that I have gotten as a composer have come from forming relationships and working on those relationships.”

 

Just off the top of your head, what are some of the opportunities today for music composers?

 

“There are some people that will say that the field is way too crowded, that there are more composers than ever before, and so it’s harder than ever to get a gig. Generally I find the people saying that are composers that are having a hard time getting a gig, and there may be other reasons for that. The reality is, yes, there are more composers than ever before, but there is so much more content than ever before. And so it’s not like composers have nothing to do. In fact, so many of the composers that I know that are doing this full-time, they’ve got more work than they can handle.”  

Why is having an original film score advantageous for filmmakers?

 

“Obviously no guarantees, but if you have a good original score, if you score a picture, it has a lot more production value than just picking music from libraries and that kind of thing, which [is what] a lot of low budget projects do.” 

If one were to approach doing a film score, what do they need to keep in mind while they’re working on it?

 

“Probably the best answer I can give is, you are in a collaboration when you’re scoring to film. It is the director’s baby…The director’s going to have the final word. So it requires being a team player, it requires being flexible, and most importantly it requires being able to write music that serves the film, not that highlights you as an artist… 
Have a spirit that is willing to serve the film, meaning that for passages [where] music gets in the way, you’re willing for it to be silent. You are willing to edit out your own stuff, if need be, to make sure that whatever you’re contributing helps tell the story better.”

 

What’s been your biggest takeaway since doing Recording Connection?

 

“So the biggest takeaway, besides obviously the need to form working relationships, is that it really did help me with my mixing skills. [It] helped me know my way around the studio, which was something I was not very familiar with before I went into the program…

 

I was in the process of scoring one of my son’s short films, and [my mentor] actually helped me record that score and mix it as part of my studies. So that ended up being really good because it helped me focus on the stuff I want to do in the studio, which is score a film and then mix it… (Watch “Sic Transit Glory“)

 

And probably one of the best little nuggets I got from [mentor] Jesse O’Brien at Colorado Sound was, early in the session he showed me around the control room at the studio, and then he mentioned how he mixes, and he pulled out this set of older, beat-up speakers, and he said, ‘These speakers are awful, but they are my favorite thing to mix on because I know how to make the adjustments and I know their strengths and weaknesses. They have become my tool, my instrument for mixing.’ And he said, ‘If I can make a mix sound good on these speakers, they’ll sound good everywhere.’ So he was the one that said, ‘Don’t worry about getting the most expensive gear. Find a good frame of reference for you, find out the strengths and weaknesses, and mix in that realm.’”

 

What’s your advice to Recording Connection students on how they can make the most of their externship experience?

 

“For this brief window of time, you have access to equipment and most importantly to expertise that doesn’t come around to everyone…Ask lots of questions, not during the sessions, after the sessions. Just do the best you can. Try to make yourself an asset in the studio. The idea is you take that window and you try to become a fixture…

 
You really have this unique window of opportunity for however long you’re in the program…Be there as often as you can. Glean everything you can from it and just keep your ears open.”

  View Recording Connection’s in-industry programs.

 

Learn more about Jeff McQuilkin at jeffmcquilkinmusic.com.

 The “Ode to an Urn” soundtrack is available on CDBaby, iTunes and Spotify.

   

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Mentor News
   

Recording Connection mentor Joel Valera
on Learning to Do It Right

  
Recording Connection mentor Joel Valera

Recording Connection mentor Joel Valera

Recording Connection mentor Joel Valera (Krayzie Bone, Andre Paganelli, Audible) is not one to mince words. If you ask him what he looks for in anyone he accepts as an extern, he’ll tell you having an open mind and being willing to learn what it takes to work in multiple genres is of paramount importance. That’s often the reality of working in audio. If there’s a need, you should be capable of meeting it with a solid, well-rounded skillset.   Thanks to Joel’s can-do attitude, his One Music Studios (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. So much so, that he’s now in his second, larger location where he records and produces music across the musical spectrum, from funk to reggaeton, jazz to rock, hip hop to pop, worship music, and beyond. He also does audio for television, radio stations, and various media outlets, making Joel a multifaceted powerhouse with ample knowledge to share.   We recently caught up with Joel between sessions to learn more about his experiences, the qualities he looks for in those he trains, and to talk about one student who’s running sessions on his own just weeks into the Audio Engineering & Music Production program (visit site).   What got you into music in the first place?   “I got into music because of my mom. She forced me to learn music. I grew up in a Christian family and the music at the church was pretty awful. My mom was like, ‘You guys are going to have to do something to improve this. So she forced me and my brother to actually go and take music lessons with the purpose of making music for church. Then, we learned how to play one instrument, then the next one, and then the next one, and so it became an addiction to know music. So me and my brother, we’re capable of playing, six, seven instruments because of that. And it all comes down to our mama that forced us to start learning music. Then we loved it and nobody could stop us.”  We hear you’ve been extremely busy there at One Music Studios. What’s been going on?   “We recently partnered up with a heavy duty, Grammy award-winning mixing engineer (Tom Malkiewicz) who is making our lives way easier… We are doing a lot of recordings right now, a lot of editing and mixing. So I think this will be a great time for any extern to come in because there’s a lot of hours, a lot of hands-on. Sometimes we have two and three sessions going on at the same time. It’s a great opportunity for anybody who comes to get their hands on the preamps, on the compressors. I don’t want to brag, but I think we’re doing something right.”   What’s your approach to mentorship?   “My approach is to make sure that they learn, and they know their stuff, and they don’t go to Google trying to find the answer. [Instead], they go back to the book and find the answer. Because unfortunately, anybody could post anything online. But you want to go back to a trustworthy source that you feel, ‘Okay this is right.’ And that’s my approach. My approach is use what you learn, use it right, and do it right the first time. That’s what I want for the people that come to learn from me. Do it right and don’t fool around. Don’t play producer. Don’t play big shot. You’re here to learn. Just learn.”   So Recording Connection student Adrian Lopez has stood out to you. What has he been doing right?  
Recording Connection student Adrian Lopez

Recording Connection student Adrian Lopez

“Well, something that Adrian is doing is that he’s doing a lot of hours. I think that’s what is allowing him to excel…He wants to keep on coming on his own time, and I’ve got no problem with letting him come more hours. So far he is capable to run a few sessions by himself, which is, of course, impressive. He’s pretty much running the show.  And that’s an excellent experience. I have an intern from another company that already graduated from one of these very expensive schools from L.A. and he cannot run the show. He has the title, he has everything, but he doesn’t have the experience. Adrian has maybe six lessons in, but he’s already running the show for an audio podcast that we’re doing. He did a podcast by himself with a customer, a client that I had. People love him because he was able to place the mics properly, the audio was fine. And I was there, it’s just that I wanted him to run the podcast and do it right, and he just did it right. So I would say the key reason why he’s doing so good is because he’s willing to put in the studio hours…He doesn’t mind to get his hands dirty and roll cables. He’s already placing microphones for drum sessions… He doesn’t cry out if I tell him ‘That’s incorrect.’ He says, ‘Okay, how do I do it right?’ So he’s willing to learn.”  So what do you look for in the students you train?   “The key is to be willing to learn everything. I think that that’s what makes the difference. Some people just want to record hip hop and that’s the only thing they care about. Okay, fine, but that’s not what this program (Audio Engineering & Music Production) is about…If they show the dedication and also that they’re learning, that they can do it, come on. Come in. I’ll give you hours. Do it! Get your hands-on, touch the equipment. You’ve got to learn. Okay, that’s what I’m here for, to make sure you do it right.”   Learn more about Recording Connection for audio engineering, music production, live sound, Ableton and more.    
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Apprentices in Action
 

A Day in the Life of Our Students

   Film Connection student Johanna Bradford has earned her first IMDb credit! Showing she was willing to work hard had everything to do with her accomplishment. Johanna shares the latest news in her recent blog post:   “My work ethic from a previous project with my previous mentor impressed a producer enough to invite me to work on a music video…The video/song is launching on NPR. I’m still sworn to secrecy at this point…Also, I now have my first IMBb credit…”     A lifelong musician, Recording Connection student Matthew Nichols plays piano, bass, percussion, and guitar as well as sings. Now he’s learning how to engineer and produce his own music:   “So I just got back from the studio. Today, my mentor and I did some music and worked on my original song. I made some improvements, added some things to finish the basic layout. I haven’t come up with a name for the song yet, but I am looking for something that makes sense. So, I had a good day today and yeah, I hope to finish [it] soon!”   Congrats to Johanna and Matthew on taking the initiative to go after what you want.  *Attention RRFC students: Would you like to be in our newsletter? Blog about your experiences, tell us your story!   
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Special Feature
   

Spotlight On… Gervais Maillard, Lead Career Services Advisor, RRFC.

Gervais Maillard, Lead Career Services Advisor, RRFC.

Gervais Maillard, Lead Career Services Advisor, RRFC.

  Explain what you do for our graduates at RRFC. And why do you choose to work for us?   “My role is to guide and actively assist graduates in establishing themselves and finding gainful employment after graduation. RRFC is a great place to have this role because of the nature of the programs: Learning in the workplace alongside professionals does a lot to introduce students to the exciting process of building a career in their chosen field. Many of our graduates are enterprising and forward-thinking, and it always makes my day when one of them successfully interviews for a job or gets an exciting gig!”   What do you wish more people realized about our program or offerings?   “The programs are an incredible springboard for a career, starting right when you enter your mentor’s workplace the first time. Relationships are a massive asset in anyone’s professional life, and they are indispensable in the Music, Film, and Broadcast industries. Thanks to the program, you have access to your mentor and their resources, and the opportunity to be the best up-and-comer anyone has ever seen. I wish more people realized the full extent of the value you can develop for yourself through RRFC.”   Do you believe there’s value in being both an artist or creative as well as a professional? Is it good for creatives to also be pragmatic? If yes, why?   “There’s tremendous value in both. For an aspiring creative, having an artistic vision is as essential as the ability to actually follow through on your ideas, build relationships, and be accountable. Being pragmatic is a useful approach to kickstart your own growth: You have to take stock of your assets and have a good grasp of your personal situation and the industry you are entering to formulate a good path forward!”   What advice do you have for anyone wanting to work in the creative arts?   “Keep developing your artistry! Use your judgment to recognize opportunities, your creativity to generate new ones, and work to make yourself indispensable.”     
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