203
CREATIVE
VICE PRESIDENT · SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF
MUSIC (FILM STUDIO)
JOB OVERVIEW
At DreamWorks, Todd Homme is responsible for all
live action film and television
music matters. He works closely with filmmakers
to determine music needs, and
coordinates with his staff to fulfill their
requests by contracting a composer, securing
a previously recorded or original song, or
procuring a sound track deal. He is also
involved in the financial aspects of music
use.
PREREQUISITES AND SPECIAL SKILLS
To succeed, you should have a broad knowledge
of music, music composition and
publishing, and an understanding of how the
film industry works. You need diligence
in learning about the industry, who the
important players are, and staying abreast of
new music. The ability to negotiate is
important. "You have to be able to get along
with people," says Homme, "and it helps to have
a sense of humor."
A DAY IN THE LIFE
On any given day, Todd Homme negotiates a fee
to hire a composer for a film, or
talks through logistics of score production
with the composer and producers. He
meets with directors and producers throughout
the filmmaking process to determine
their music needs, such as which
com-
poser is desired, specific songs they
are
interested in licensing, artists they
want
for recording, and whether there will
be
a sound track album. At any given
time,
he usually has eight to ten pictures
in
various stages of production. He may
be
on the phone with a record company
representative discussing sound
track
issues, or arranging for the label
to
receive artwork and marketing
materials.
"At any moment I might be called
to
handle paying a guitar player, hire
a
world-class composer or a
superstar
artist, book a studio, or establish a
music
budget for a film." Throughout the
day,
he attends a screening of a film,
meets
with other department employees to
"Don't be phony or overstate
what you can deliver. Don't run
your mouth off about what you
can do, just do it. That will be
conspicuous enough."
"Do your homework and be
diligent about learning." An
important part of the job is to
know composers and songs--
both current and older catalog
music--and to be informed
about events in both the film
and music industry.
CAREER
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