Ep 193-Penka Kouneva on Getting the Next Job

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Penka Kouneva is known across Hollywood as an “exceptionally talented composer and artist of uncommon passion” (NPR). Her credits include the games The Mummy VR and Prince of Persia, a NASA theme park “Heroes and Legends,” and the independent features Aga,Devil’s Whisper (Sony Pictures), and the Sci-Fi drama Encounter. The top label Varese Sarabande released her Woman Astronaut and Rebirth of Id orchestral albums to worldwide acclaim. She scores films, video games and emerging media (VR, AR).

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Film and media composer Penka Kouneva sheds light on how to get the next gig through building relationships and you should NEVER talk about your work first.

Topics discussed on this episode:

Story telling
Business acumen
Attrition in relationships
Entrepreneurship is building relationships
Develop organic friendships
Go to functions
Don’t talk about your work
Hustling to meet people
Always be professional
NASA Heroes & Legends
Demoing projects
Write awesome music
Be healthy
Rebirth of Id
Aga
Devil’s Whisper

Website:

penkakouneva.com

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This episode was edited by E.J. Sadler at Studio184.

Garrett2018-09-06T05:54:06-05:00

The Podcast Mission

To help composers with the business end of writing music through mindset, marketing, and business skills.

The Philosophy

I believe that composers are self-employed small business owners. In order to succeed in getting our music in front of people who are interested in hearing it we need to know essential business skills such as marketing and networking. Building a successful career as a freelance composer is possible and thinking like an entrepreneur will help composers make a living writing music.

The Promise

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Tina Davidson

This podcast is an excellent resource for composers at all stages of their careers. It is composers talking shop to other composers, addressing the issues that matter to our careers. It is so well thought out and executed—a total class act. Bravo to Garrett Hope for creating this much needed and well curated hub of knowledge for our community.

reeesm

Hey Garrett, again, this is so generous—to offer contemporary composers, conductors, and innovative thinkers in the new music field, the opportunities to talk about music. Really enjoyed doing a segment with you and the exchange of thoughts in talking with you about my reflections about being a composer and the paths taken toward releasing this orchestral CD, Dream Vapors. Thanks!

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