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...but I don't know how...
When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a rock star, tour the world, make records, screw groupies, etc.
But even then, I knew it would be temporary gig, 5-10 years tops. Very few bands last longer than that, and those that do are usually mediocre (Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones) or only are popular for a short time (i.e. SY have been around since '81, but hit their commerical peak in '92 and haven't really been big in a mainstream way since). So in the back of my mind, I wanted to move on to composing for film after my band career ran its course. My plan was to do it Trent Reznor-style and build up a reputation from my music so that clients would want me to create music for them.
Well, fast forward to now. My band's split up and frankly, I don't want to join another or start my own unless it was something just for fun, not something serious with the intention of "going somewhere" or "making it". It was always fun jamming and rocking out onstage, but having to deal with apathetic audiences, a non-commital bassist who insisted upon 1000% perfection, and getting screwed by venues...no thanks. Not only that, but also I have a beautiful (though troubled) girl whom I hate not being with, and for me to leave her for months at a time to tour would be awful on both of us.
So, I'm going to prepare for a career as a composer (actually, I'd most want to be a game composer since music and video games are my two biggest interests) and in order to do that, I need a degree and a portfolio. Otherwise, no one will take me seriously. The schools I've been looking at are far from where I'm at and I'm not in a position to travel, but they all offer online programs.
Full Sail University: This one has a fairly comprehensive Music Production major, which covers everything from production to arrangement to songwriting. However, the tuition is rather steep and they require you to purchase a MacBook Pro, although it can be covered by financial aid. Not only that, but they also don't have a good reputation in some circles...
The Academy of Art University: These guys offer a Music for Visual Media major, which focuses specifically on creating music for film, television, and video games. Again though, the tuition is high and the one course requires you to have a Mac, which may or may not be covered by tuition or financial aid. Also, they're not always well reviewed - although most of the complainers were studying on campus.
Berklee College of Music: They have courses in Music Production, as well as an Orchestrating and Producing Music for Film and Games certificate program, but I can't find anything as far as a degree goes. Again, reviews are not good, but many of them were by disillusioned music performance majors studying on campus.
Anybody have any experience with any of these guys or have any other suggestions?
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