Philip Sheppard is an award-winning composer, producer, cellist, Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music & member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He has composed 60+ film, gaming, TV & theatrical scores including Sony PS4’s highly acclaimed video game, DETROIT: Become Human. He collaborated with Odesza on their album, A Moment Apart, which was nominated for 2 Grammys. He also arranged all the national anthems for the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Fall From Earth is his 2nd solo orchestral album & was recorded at Abbey Road Studios & released June, 2018.

 

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Composer and cellist Philip Sheppard discusses the importance knowing what your audience wants, finding freedom in restriction, arranging all the national anthems for the London Olympics, and his rules for success.

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Starting on cello
  • The separation between composer & performer
  • What audience’s want
  • The meritocracy of movie music
  • Seeking approval
  • Freedom in restriction
  • Library music
  • Philip’s Rules:
    • Play Bach in the pub
    • Join a band
    • Have a bucket list & a business plan
    • Study outside your expertise
    • Own a niche
    • Work with people better than you
    • If it’s at 70% start again
    • Fire yourself
    • Never relay a problem upwards
    • Be busy even if you’re not
    • If being asked to work for free, ask for a time exchange
    • Own everything
    • Be in the habit of writing
  • USP (Unique Selling Point)
  • SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis
  • Impostor Syndrome
  • You are a business
  • Building a Kitchen Cabinet
  • The 2012 London Olympic Games
  • The bigger the project the less everybody knows

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