new projects

OK, as a commercial composer, I am in a very interesting position today. I've got two new games, and the producers aren't suggesting any creative direction for the music -- at this stage in the game, it's up to me. This is a rare-afforded opportunity, and can either have very creatively liberating or frustratingly stunting results -- in other words, they'll either like the direction I take, or they won't (and I'll have to rewrite it). This has some to do with the actual music I come up with, but it also depends on the character of the producer.

Some producers take the attitude of "hey -- you're the professional, we pay you for your expertise, you do what you think would work best." Now granted, if you stray outside of the lines of good taste, the producer is gonna have something to say about it. But for the most part, this kind of producer sees the harmony and positive results in allowing creative people to do creative work.

There are other producers who take a different approach -- "I don't know what I want... but I'll know what I DON'T want." Alot of times, we creative-types attribute this kind of approach to a lack of vision, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that in a lot of cases, it's a lack of confidence. Confidence in the quality of their people. Confidence in their decision-making ability, and the confidence to follow that decision through. And confidence in their own ideas -- many of these folks are frustrated creatives themselves.

The professional attitude is to treat all these situations equally:

You like what I've come up with? GREAT.

You don't like what I've come up with? No problem -- I'm interested in your input (however insightful or obscure it may be), and I'll go back to the drawing board.

You don't like this idea either? Perhaps you can offer me more guidance -- clearly I'm not conceptualizing this like you are, and I want to understand where you're coming from.

You still don't like what I'm coming up with? Tell me what you've liked about what you've heard already -- I'll work with those ideas, and I'm sure we'll get this project on the right track.

You STILL don't like it? OK, forget about this project -- tell me what kind of music you like to listen to. (I have had projects that have actually gotten to this point!)

You STILL don't like it?!?!? Tell me about your childhood...