If hobby, what would it take to make it a career? If career, when and how did you switch from being a hobby? (same question, different lounge, sorry if you see it twice!)
Composing : Hobby or Career? by Kat Spencer
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Looks like a little of both for me Kat Spencer I would love to have this as a career, but till now, I am pegged as a hobbyist.
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Many of us struggle with this question because we equate Career with Job. Knowing what a job is, I certainly don't ever want to think of music as a job. However, I do know that I work harder and spend way more hours on music than any hobby or job I've ever had! I feel we're ALL artists and the works that we've created throughout our lives and the infinite hours of working and learning our craft including working the "day jobs" which might have helped us in the beginning or even now afford the tools of our music have ALL contributed in what we do for our music. So...after spending most of my life struggling with this question I've come to the conclusion that YES, it most certainly is a career.
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Mark Films One of the best things about a hobbyist is you never lose the love for it. Once a career, we have to be mindful not to lose our passion. I think being both is great!
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Mike Hall Hi!! So nice to see you in here :) great reply. I know you do! You definitely have two careers. I agree, that "job," is not how we want to label this. It is a fine line. But, if you love what you do, who cares what we label it? I think the difference between the above is really only a distinction on tax forms. haha
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Here! Here! Kat Spencer
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It's all I've ever done and I've never worked a day in my life.
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Great to see someone living the dream Linwood Bell
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Mark Films It hasn't been easy. It's a rollercoaster. There have been good years and bad years. Good decades and bad decades, but I'm happy and still interested. What more could I ask for...
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Linwood Bell Love that! I can say the same. Definitely a rollercoaster, but any "job" I've ever had, or doing my own creative thing, has been something I enjoy, so it's never felt like work. I truly believe that is the key. I run across people all of the time who are simply unhappy where they are, and that is my first advice, find something you love to do, and do that. The money has a way of figuring itself out.
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I've always, unfortunately had a day job, or maybe not unfortunately. I've heard a few different composers talk about full time composing and part time composing along side a day job. Having a day job allows you to make the money that you need to support the kids and the family (If you have a family younger in life like me), build the studio etc. and do the projects that truly inspire you, where when composing is your only income stream you may not have the option to pass on things that don't necessarily inspire you musically because you need the money. I will say, if I had been in the position when I was younger to compose for a living from the start of my working life, I can't imagine that I would have passed that up. But now that I'm older I'm thinking this path hasn't been so bad, and working as an IT professional and having all the knowledge it teaches you about complex computing environments is a huge plus in today's highly computerized studios.
This has been my journey thus far, someday I do plan on going full time and hopefully will have the client list that is producing the things that I find inspiring, we'll see!!
Great question and discussion Kat Spencer!!
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The issue for me is the same as sort of when someone uses the word 'aspiring' - either you are or your not? I posted on this topic here a few months back and tried to differentiate the two by whether you get paid or not. But I'm not even sure of that anymore. Perhaps pay is associated with the word 'job'. And perhaps 'career' is associated with 'passion'. Be that it may, I am not sure whether my pursuit is rightly called a hobby or career. As I have scored 35 films the last 12 years and have been paid for for one - you tell me. And it took 25 years for my ASCAP royalties to make it to $14.55 - so what is my songwriting - career or hobby? I guess for me the bottom line is that the decision is sort of 'mute' - sort of whether I am or have been 'aspiring' or not.
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That's awesome, Mark Gosney! I think that path is a great one, because I, like you, don't ever want the pressure to HAVE to create something. I'm a rebel, so you can imagine what happens when you tell me to do something. I think it's wonderful to have a part-time or full-time job (that you enjoy) that still allows time for creation. Best balance in my opinion.
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That is a very good point Joel Irwin. It all depends on your mindset, perspective, and priorities. I do think for the purpose of my question, the difference between hobby and career had more to do with whether it paid your way, or if it (on taxes) was still considered a hobby. In our hearts, I think no matter what the monetary compensation is, our creations are our passions. And hobbies are often thought of as our passions. It's nice when we can make ends meet with our passions, but then there is the slippery slope of the pressure to do so. It's the biggest reason I didn't pursue a music career when I was thinking about jobs. I never wanted to lose my joy for it. And scoring 35 films?! That's pretty cool :)