# Respuestas de Marc Jovani **Fecha:** 2025-03-01 05:05:40 **Modelo:** claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219 **Temperature:** 0.7 --- ## Pregunta 1 **Pregunta:** Who is Marc Jovani and how did your journey begin, from your first steps in music to becoming an internationally recognized composer in the world of film soundtracks? **Respuesta de Marc:** I'm Marc Jovani, a film composer, entrepreneur, and online educator. My journey began back in 1994 in a small coastal town in Spain called Peñíscola, when my uncle Paco first taught me guitar. Though I initially struggled with traditional instruments (my piano teacher can attest to that!), I found myself constantly writing small musical pieces instead of practicing. My path wasn't smooth by any means. I was rejected twice from the Conservatory of Castellón before finally being accepted as an auditing student. My first composition was harshly criticized by my teacher, Maestro Ferrer Ferran, who essentially told me to throw it away. I remember crying in the car with my dad afterward. But instead of quitting, I became determined to prove everyone wrong. I went from being the worst student in class to graduating with honors. This transformation happened when I discovered a more practical approach to learning music rather than the traditional theoretical method. After being accepted to USC's Film Scoring program, I moved to Los Angeles in 2016 with my wife Ali and barely $10,000 to our name. We built a desk from bricks because we couldn't afford furniture, and I made 100 cold calls a day trying to find work. I eventually landed a small $700 short film, but after that, I didn't work on a major project for nearly three years. The breakthrough came when a friend recommended me to a client. That single connection led to 12+ films with the same client, and my career finally gained momentum. I've since composed for numerous films that have appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other major platforms. Alongside my composing career, I founded Cinematic Composing, which has grown to over 16,000 students worldwide. I've developed frameworks and teaching methods based on my own learning experiences that help composers advance much faster than traditional education. What I've learned through this journey is that success often comes down to persistence and belief in yourself. The technical skills matter, but overcoming self-doubt is equally important. That's why I'm passionate about helping others navigate both the creative and business aspects of film composition. --- ## Pregunta 2 **Pregunta:** Working with major studios like Netflix, FOX, and Lionsgate undoubtedly brings significant challenges. What have been the biggest obstacles you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome those moments? **Respuesta de Marc:** I've faced several significant challenges working with major studios throughout my career, and these obstacles have ultimately shaped my approach to film composition. The first major hurdle was simply breaking into the industry. When I moved to LA in 2016, I had virtually nothing - no connections, minimal funds, and no established reputation in Hollywood. I built a makeshift desk from bricks because I couldn't afford proper furniture. I made hundreds of cold calls that led nowhere. After losing my main client, I went nearly three years without a major project. That period of drought was brutal - I seriously questioned whether I had what it took to succeed in this industry. What turned things around wasn't some dramatic breakthrough, but rather a friend's recommendation that led to a single opportunity. That project became the foundation for a relationship that has now spanned 12+ films. The lesson was clear: in this industry, relationships and consistently delivering quality work matter more than cold pitching or self-promotion. Another significant challenge has been adapting to the intense time pressures of studio productions. On one project, I had to compose 60 minutes of music in just three weeks - that's over 2 minutes of finished music daily. When you're working with major studios, deadlines are non-negotiable. I had to develop systems and workflows that allowed me to maintain quality while working at speed. My template evolved specifically to address this challenge - it's designed to mix the music for me as I compose, saving precious time. Perhaps the most difficult obstacle has been overcoming imposter syndrome when working alongside established composers and for major networks. Walking into scoring sessions at Warner Bros. or seeing my name attached to projects for Netflix or Lionsgate, I've had moments of thinking, "Do I really belong here?" What helped me overcome this wasn't just technical skill development, but rather a mindset shift. I realized that self-doubt was actually sabotaging my performance. I began to understand that confidence is as important as competence. The studios hired me for my unique musical voice, not to sound like someone else. These challenges taught me that persistence, relationships, efficient systems, and mental fortitude are just as important as musical ability in this industry. Every obstacle became an opportunity to develop these aspects of my career. --- ## Pregunta 3 **Pregunta:** How do you view the role of the neoclassical style and the presence of the piano in film score composition? Does this style influence your work or how you construct musical narratives? **Respuesta de Marc:** As someone who composes for film, I find the neoclassical style and piano to be incredibly powerful tools in my scoring arsenal. The piano specifically offers a unique duality - it can stand completely alone with remarkable emotional impact or serve as the foundation for a larger orchestral palette. Neoclassical approaches give us a wonderful framework that audiences intuitively understand. The style carries inherent emotional weight through its connection to classical traditions while allowing for modern sensibilities and production techniques. This makes it particularly effective for character-driven moments that need emotional depth without overwhelming the scene. In my own work, I often use piano-centered neoclassical elements when I need to create intimacy. The piano has this remarkable ability to feel both personal and universal simultaneously. For thriller projects (which make up a good portion of my work), I'll frequently contrast these more intimate piano moments against larger orchestral sections to heighten the emotional journey. What's fascinating about neoclassical elements is how they can transcend genre boundaries. I've used these approaches in everything from drama to thriller to horror. The key is understanding when simplicity serves the story better than complexity. The piano specifically has become something of a storytelling shorthand in modern film music - it can immediately signal introspection, memory, or emotional vulnerability. Used thoughtfully, it creates a direct emotional connection with the audience that few other instruments can match. --- ## Pregunta 4 **Pregunta:** Given the complexity of composing for high-level cinematic productions, do you follow a specific routine to stimulate your creativity? What practices do you consider essential to balancing inspiration and productivity? **Respuesta de Marc:** When I'm composing for high-level cinematic productions, I've developed a specific routine that helps me maintain both creativity and productivity. This balance is crucial because film scoring requires both artistic expression and the ability to deliver consistently under tight deadlines. My creative process typically begins with what I call my "creation time" - a 90-120 minute block early in the morning (usually 5-7am) when my mind is fresh. During this period, I focus on conceptual work rather than technical execution. I'll sketch themes, develop motifs, or work out the emotional structure of cues with pen and paper rather than immediately jumping to my DAW. This separation between creation and execution is vital. For larger projects, I'll often create a suite of themes before diving into individual cues. Once the director approves this musical palette, I can efficiently adapt these themes throughout the score, ensuring cohesion while meeting deadlines. What I consider essential practices: 1. Physical spaces for different work modes - I have separate areas for creative conceptualization versus technical execution. This spatial distinction helps my brain transition between different types of thinking. 2. Strategic resets throughout the day - Film scoring can be mentally draining, so I incorporate intentional breaks. Sometimes this means physical activity like surfing or biking, other times it's a cold plunge or sauna session. These aren't time-wasters but rather crucial for maintaining mental clarity. 3. Intensity mapping - Before composing, I create visual guides for each scene, mapping emotional intensity over time. This gives me a clear roadmap before writing a single note. 4. Template-based workflow - My templates have evolved over 15 years and essentially function as an extension of my creative thinking. They handle much of the technical work so my mind can focus on musical storytelling. 5. Limiting options - When facing creative decisions, I deliberately narrow my choices. The more focused the parameters, the more creative freedom I actually experience. The most important insight I've gained is that creativity isn't about waiting for inspiration - it's about creating conditions where it can thrive consistently. By establishing these routines and systems, I can deliver high-quality work even under the intense pressure of film scoring deadlines. --- ## Pregunta 5 **Pregunta:** In addition to being a composer, you are also the cofounder of Cinematic Composing. How has this entrepreneurial experience influenced your musical career? What are your upcoming goals, both as a composer and as an educator and entrepreneur? **Respuesta de Marc:** As a film composer, my entrepreneurial journey with Cinematic Composing has profoundly influenced my musical career in ways I never anticipated when I first started. Founding and growing Cinematic Composing forced me to articulate and systematize my compositional approach. When you teach something, you must understand it at a deeper level. This process of breaking down my intuitive creative methods into teachable frameworks has made me a more deliberate and efficient composer. I now approach scoring sessions with clearer frameworks and more defined processes. The entrepreneurial mindset has also given me more confidence in the business side of composing. When I'm negotiating with directors or producers, I'm approaching those conversations as a business owner rather than just a creative person hoping for work. This shift in perspective has helped me build stronger client relationships and negotiate better terms. Perhaps most importantly, building Cinematic Composing created financial stability that allows me to be selective about my composing projects. I can focus on films I genuinely connect with rather than taking every project that comes my way. This freedom has improved the quality of my work and my satisfaction with my creative output. Looking ahead, my goals are twofold: As a composer, I'm focusing on projects with stronger emotional resonance. Last year I completed five films, but this year I'm being more selective. I'm particularly drawn to projects where music can profoundly impact the storytelling. I'm also exploring incorporating more innovative hybrid orchestral approaches into my scoring. As an educator and entrepreneur, I'm working on expanding our frameworks to help more composers transition from hobbyists to professionals. We've crossed 16,000 students, but I believe our methodologies can reach a much wider audience. I'm particularly excited about developing new approaches to teaching the business side of composing, which is often overlooked in traditional education. The most fulfilling aspect of this dual career is seeing how each role reinforces the other. My composing informs my teaching, and my entrepreneurial mindset makes me a more effective composer. I'm grateful for both paths and excited to see how they continue to evolve. --- ## Pregunta 6 **Pregunta:** What message would you like to share with aspiring composers or musicians who dream of creating soundtracks and pursuing a career in the film industry? **Respuesta de Marc:** As someone who's walked the path from being rejected from music conservatory (twice!) to scoring films for Netflix and Amazon Prime, I want to share something important: your journey as a film composer is completely possible, but it requires both artistic passion and strategic thinking. First, understand that creating great music is just one piece of the puzzle. Yes, you need to develop your craft - learn orchestration, study film scoring techniques, master your DAW and sample libraries. But equally crucial is developing the mindset of a professional. This means delivering on deadlines, communicating effectively with directors, and understanding that your music serves the story. The reality of film composing today is that you don't need to move to Los Angeles or have industry connections to start. What you need is a systematic approach: create a compelling demo reel, identify appropriate projects for your level, and build relationships with filmmakers who are growing alongside you. Remember that rejection is part of the process. When I first moved to LA with my wife in 2016, we had almost nothing - I built my first desk with bricks because we couldn't afford furniture! I made hundreds of calls that went nowhere. But persistence matters more than initial conditions. The most successful composers I know aren't necessarily the most naturally talented - they're the ones who keep showing up, who learn from each project, who treat composition as both an art and a craft to be mastered. If you're feeling that "impostor syndrome," know that we all experience it. The difference is in how you respond to it. Use it as fuel rather than allowing it to paralyze you. Move toward what scares you rather than away from it. Finally, enjoy the journey. The process of creating music that enhances storytelling is one of the most fulfilling experiences possible. Don't wait until you've "made it" to find joy in your work. ---