No matter how many scores I've written, the next project will hopefully be completely different. As hard as it is, I'm always trying to stay fresh, not repeat myself, and come up with original musical ideas and ways of scoring.

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.

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.

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 a full-time composer for many years, and I'm still learning all the time. There is always more than one musical "solution" to each movie scene, but my goal is to compose music that works perfectly for the director, and me!

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