Do everything you can to learn your craft. Score student films for free, attend conferences, learn music theory - do anything and everything you can.

The most common reason that I turn down a film project is because of my schedule. If I can't devote the time to a score that it deserves, I'll pass. I'll also turn down a film if its moral position is different than what my own understanding of right and wrong.

I became friends on a social basis with a music professor (Dr. Alan Stein) who took a real interest in my work. He encouraged me in countless different ways, urged me to try different arranging styles, etc.

I do have a website that's updated regularly. It's a great way for potential clients to check out my work anonymously. As most of my web visitors would be interested in my work, not my history, the equipment I use, my "philosophy", etc., it's my work that's predominantly featured on the site.

The process always starts with detailed conversations with the director, followed by a spotting session (deciding where the music goes and doesn't go in the film, and what the music should be saying or not saying) in each scene. This is followed by sending the director demos of each cue for feedback.

I've been in this biz so long, it's really my reputation that brings me work.

Other than a few years of piano as a kid, I don't have all that much musical training. I played piano for all the musicals in high school and was in a few bands, but never really considered music as a viable career until I was in college.