The Video Game Composer Podcast Tyson Cazier

Today's episode is taken from module 3 of the START course. Module 3 is all about how to write demos that can help you find video game scoring work. This episode discusses the how and why of creating targeted demo music, and how targeted music is different than making music as an artist in general.



If you are interested in taking the START course head to thevideogamecomposerhq.com/start and join the waitlist. The course is completely free and you will be given access as soon as the course is launched.

Today’s Guest, Ryan Ike, is a very accomplished indie game composer and an all-around awesome dude. You can hear his music in indie game hits like Wizard With a Gun, Shadows Over Loathing, Where The Water Tastes Like Wine, Gunpoint, and more. We had a great conversation about Ryan's diligent method for becoming a strong game composer. I learned a lot from this conversation and had a lot of fun.

To follow or reach out to Ryan Ike:

Instagram: @ryanikeaudio

Website: https://www.ryanike.com

Ryan’s Microjams project that he speaks about: https://soundcloud.com/ryanike/sets/microjams



Want hands-on training to get your composer career off the ground, and off to a strong start? I am creating a new course called the START course. Through seven modules you be walked through setting up shop and getting started as a game composer. The course is completely free. Pre-register for the course to get automatic access as soon as the course is live.

https://thevideogamecomposerhq.com/start

Jeff Broadbent is an award-winning game composer who has worked on many of the industry's largest franchises, including Diablo, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Assassins Creed, and many more. Not only is Jeff a talented composer but he is an effective networker and strategic business person. He has so much great information to share. I hope you are ready to take notes and implement some ideas.

We talk about how to improve the quality of your music, the importance of networking, and why you should study freelance business strategies as much as you can.



If you are looking for more guidance to get your video game composing career off the ground, I am creating a free START course. It is all about how to Start your career as a game composer. Many podcast listeners have had a lot of success applying the principles that will be covered in the START course. If this free resource is interesting to you click the link below to automatically be added to the course as soon as it is live!

https://thevideogamecomposerhq.com/start



If you are a mid level composer in your career, you have already been paid to write for games, tv or film and you are looking to reach the next level here is a great opportunity from Grammy composer/orchestrator Penka Kouneva.

Emerging and Mid-career composers for film and games: check out this Masterclass in Soundtrack Analysis and Media scoring. The class is presented by the Hollywood studio composer and orchestrator Penka Kouneva. 10 weeks of intense study (weekly composing & feedback, analysis lectures, private mentoring sessions, independent score study & tons of curated reading). The objective of this experience is to give you a competitive edge and to propel you forward on your artist and career path.www.penkamasterclasses.com

This episode discusses three areas of focus that can help you make great progress in your video game composing career. Having a system and goals for music creation, building up a team of people around you, and tracking your progress are all powerful tools to help you achieve and succeed in this competitive and exciting journey.

For even more detailed and hands-on help to kickstart your composing career and land your first gigs, sign up for my FREE Start Course (Start Your Composer Career). The course is expected to be released in late February or March 2024. Use the link below to get instant access to the course as soon as it is out:
https://thevideogamecomposerhq.com/start

For more advanced composers:
Emerging and mid-career composers for film and games, check out this Masterclass in Soundtrack Analysis and Media Scoring. The class is presented by Hollywood studio composer and orchestrator Penka Kouneva. The 10-week program includes intense study with weekly composing and feedback, analysis lectures, private mentoring sessions, independent score study, and tons of curated reading. The objective of this experience is to give you a competitive edge and propel you forward on your artist and career path. ⁠Visit www.penkamasterclasses.com⁠ for more information.

Today’s guest is Jeff Kurtenacker, an amazing composer and sound designer for AAA games. He is currently the audio director for Deck Nine Games, and has also worked as a senior composer for Blizzard and worked on a ton of projects as a freelancer before that. Jeff wrote over 14 hours of absolutely killer music for a game called WildStar that got canceled before it ever saw the light of day. Check out that music.
Jeff has a great depth of musical knowledge, a mastery over expressing complex emotions through music and also teaches private composition students on the side.
Learn more about Jeff at his website https://www.jeffkurtenacker.com
If you are interested in being notified and gaining instant access to my free START Game Composing Career Course when it comes out (probably late Feb 2024) click here:
https://thevideogamecomposerhq.com/ccpstrategysession-8361
Emerging and Mid-career composers for film and games: check out this Masterclass in Soundtrack Analysis and Media scoring. The class is presented by the Hollywood studio composer and orchestrator Penka Kouneva. 10 weeks of intense study (weekly composing & feedback, analysis lectures, private mentoring sessions, independent score study & tons of curated reading). The objective of this experience is to give you a competitive edge and to propel you forward on your artist and career path.
www.penkamasterclasses.com

Grammy-nominated composer J Scott Rakozy talks to us about his background in music, his process for creating convincing midi mach-ups, how he got to do the music for Hogwarts Legacy and much more!

Check out more about Scott at his website and Instagram:

https://www.jscottrakozy.com

https://www.instagram.com/rockinrakozy/



Emerging and Mid-career composers for film and games: check out this Masterclass in Soundtrack Analysis and Media scoring. The class is presented by the Hollywood studio composer and orchestrator Penka Kouneva. 10 weeks of intense study (weekly composing & feedback, analysis lectures, private mentoring sessions, independent score study & tons of curated reading). The objective of this experience is to give you a competitive edge and to propel you forward on your artist and career path.www.penkamasterclasses.com