[Fmpro] Welcome New Subscribers

[Job M. van Zuijlen]

I'm one of the barrage of new subscribers that you have seen floating around 
the last couple of days.  I haven't used the mailing list format in a long 
time (actually preferring the web-based variety), but applaud the initiative 
all the same.

I'm currently not active in music, but I'm planning to be starting this 
year.  In the past, when I was still living in the Netherlands, I have 
scored music for a number of animation films and for a few documentaries. 
That was between 1976 and 1986, so quite some time ago.

My main area of expertise is electroacoustic music, which I have been 
composing since before it became fashionable and got split up in millions of 
different styles.  I'm interested in film music, because, first of all, it 
is interesting and rewarding to collaborate with others, and second, writing 
good film music is a challenge.

I have been fortunate that I have worked with directors that were 
independent and who knew the value of artistic freedom.  I did not make me 
rich, but I had a satisfactory working relationship with them.  To find out 
how things are done today, especially in the US, I bought myself some books 
to get an idea.  Well, uh..., I better stay away from Hollywood productions, 
I thought by myself.  My current job as a systems analyst is stressful, but 
this is worse!  On top of that, composers can't even strike and if they do, 
nobody would notice anyway.

So what I'm going to do, is start slowly, and make use of local resources. 
I live in the Washington DC area, so far away from Hollywood glamour, but 
close enough to consider New York.

I hope to learn from the discussions on this list.  One question I have is 
the choice between ASCAP or BMI (I haven't joined neither), so I'm 
interested in the current ASCAP discussion.   My own take on it is that if 
ASCAP does not become the open organization that it apparently used to be, 
there is little chance for change.  And, regarding the Sundance issue, to be 
honest, film music is best enjoyed in combination with the actual movie.  I 
don't believe that playing it out of context is doing much good.  Again, 
this is not a mainstream position as it would not help in selling 
merchandise (CDs, for example)...

OK, that's enough for now!

Job van Zuijlen



--------------------------------------------------
From: "Mark Holden" <markholden at aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 04:07
To: <fmpro at nxport.com>
Subject: [Fmpro] Welcome New Subscribers

>
> GREETINGS TO OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS!
>
> As of this morning, the Film Music ProList is pleased to welcome over 150
> new subscribers. This appears to be in response to Friday's "News From 
> Film
> Music" issue, and brings the number of FMPRO subscribers to almost 800.
>
> Via these pages, we encourage discussion about any and all topics relevant
> to film & television music. These may include rights and royalties issues,
> copyright law, budgets, negotiations, technical and aesthetic matters,
> scores you admire or detest-- you name it.
>
> Above all, this list is about continuing education and networking. 
> Composers
> working in film & television have virtually no industrial representation,
> which leaves us vulnerable as a group, to say the least. Further, reliable
> information can sometimes be difficult to find. To participants old and 
> new,
> ask your questions and please contribute your knowledge and experience as
> well!
>
> There aren't many rules past exercising reasonably good manners. 
> Discussions
> have been known to get heated from time-to-time, but we generally try not 
> to
> interfere. The chief no-no on the list is to post BAD DATA. We strive for
> industrial accuracy here, and the gold standard is reliable information 
> from
> which we can all benefit.
>
> Let the discussions continue, and very best wishes to all in this new 
> year!
>
> Mark Holden
> FMPRO Admin
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> The Film Music Pro List is sponsored by Film Music Magazine - 
> http://www.filmmusicmag.com
>
> Best of FMPRO: http://www.fmproquotes.com - Quotes site  by Billy Hale 
> Music
>
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