Meet Shaked Shachar

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shaked Shachar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shaked, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I like to keep my creativity by engaging in different forms of music-making and performing – whether it is to write music for films and music libraries, or performing music at concerts and community events like ‘Saturday Soul’ – a monthly gathering of people in LA who meet together to be inspired and inspire each other through singing together, meditation and conversations. I especially love improvising at jam sessions to get inspired and find ideas that couldn’t be thought of while writing music on your own.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Hi, I’m Shaked Shachar, and I’m a film composer, arranger, and pianist. I grew up in Israel and started playing the piano when I was 9 years old. I wasn’t from a musical family, but one day, I found a small musical keyboard in a toy box at home. Something about it clicked for me, and I just started playing. I was instantly hooked. The ability to create melodies and express emotions through music felt like a magical skill, and I realized it was something I wanted to pursue long-term.

After graduating from the Rubin Conservatory of Music in Haifa, I went on to serve in the Israeli army. It was during that time that I really understood how much music shaped my life and how much I missed it when I couldn’t play the piano. That period also taught me a lot about discipline, resilience, and the importance of hard work—skills that would become crucial in my career. It was then that I made the decision to pursue film scoring as my professional path. I was drawn to the idea that music could play such a vital role in storytelling, amplifying the emotional impact of a film.

I went on to study at the Rimon School of Music in Israel, where I dove deeper into composition and arranging. But it wasn’t until 2021, when I moved to Boston to study film scoring at Berklee College of Music, that everything really started to align. Berklee opened up a whole new world for me. One of the most special moments during my time there was having the opportunity to record piano with Alan Silvestri, the legendary composer behind Forrest Gump and Back to the Future. Meeting him and working with him in the studio was incredibly inspiring. He’s a major influence on my work, and that experience really deepened my appreciation for the role music plays in bringing a story to life. It made me realize how much I want to contribute to that process and shape the emotional tone of the films I work on.

After I graduated from Berklee, I moved to Los Angeles to join Bleeding Fingers Music, a Sony Music Publishing company founded by Hans Zimmer, Russell Emanuel, and Steve Kofsky. Bleeding Fingers works closely with Extreme Music to create scores for film and television, and being part of this team has been an incredible opportunity. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some of the best composers in the industry, writing music and participating in everything from orchestration to production and recording. The experience has been invaluable. Every day, I’m learning something new, whether it’s about the technical side of composing or about the art of creating music.

One of the things that excites me most about film scoring is how immediate and impactful it is. Music in film is such a powerful tool—it can communicate emotion and meaning in an instant. Think about the first time you heard the Harry Potter theme—just a few notes and you’re transported to the magical world of Hogwarts. That’s the kind of power I want to deliver with my music. I want my compositions to create that emotional connection with audiences, to make them feel something visceral and unforgettable.

Since moving to Los Angeles, I’ve also had the opportunity to share my love for music by teaching. I joined Shilla Hekmat’s Music Academy in Beverly Hills, where I teach young students piano and a range of musical skills. I focus on everything from improvisation to recital performance preparation, helping my students build their confidence and find their own voices as artists. It’s been incredibly rewarding to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained over the years, and I love watching these young musicians discover their own passion for music. For me, teaching is a way to give back and to help the next generation of artists express themselves and grow in their craft.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue growing as a composer and working on exciting projects that allow me to tell unique stories through music. I’m always excited by the challenge of collaborating with filmmakers who have bold, fresh ideas. Each new project feels like an opportunity to push my creative boundaries and explore new sounds and emotions. I believe music can truly elevate a film, and I’m excited to continue contributing to that magic.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back at my journey, the most important skill in my opinion is the ability to build genuine relationships with people who inspire you. Early on in my career, I reached out to Paul Anthony Romero—the legendary composer behind the video game Heroes of Might and Magic—through a simple LinkedIn message. At the time, I was planning my move to Los Angeles, and he graciously responded. After I arrived, we met in person and quickly developed a true friendship. Paul has been an incredible influence on my work, not only because of his incredible talent as a composer and pianist, but also because of the genuine connection we formed. Through him, I met many other talented artists and musicians, and my network in LA began to grow. I truly believe that forging authentic friendships, especially when you’re new to a city like LA, is one of the most important steps you can take. For me, these relationships have opened doors to incredible collaborations with musicians, dancers, writers, and business owners. I’ve made it a point to connect people across different fields, and those connections have led to unique creative opportunities, from recording my music to performing at local events and concerts.

The second most important skill for any musician, in my opinion, is ear training. Our ears are our most powerful tool. It doesn’t matter how well you can read music or play an instrument if you don’t have a sharp ear to guide you. Your ear helps you understand and develop ideas as a composer and performer, and it’s what helps you craft and refine your sound. I invested a lot of time and energy in ear training during my studies, and I still work on it regularly. I would highly recommend aspiring musicians to do the same. It’s a skill that you can continually improve upon, and it’s one that will serve you throughout your entire career.

The third quality that has played a huge role in my journey is the will to step outside your comfort zone. One of my favorite examples of this came from a jam session I attended in Beverly Hills. I was playing with some friends when I met Ada Pasternak, a very talented singer and violinist. During the session, she performed What Was I Made For by Billie Eilish, and her emotional interpretation of the song moved everyone in the room. The next day, I decided to reach out to her before she has to fly back home. I invited Ada to collaborate on a spontaneous recording of our cover of the song, and we ended up recording it at a studio in Santa Monica. It was one of those moments where stepping out of your comfort zone leads to something beautiful. I’m really excited for you to hear the result when it’s released later this year, and I look forward to collaborating with Ada and other artists that inspire me in the future.

For musicians who are just starting out, my advice is to dream big, but break those dreams down into smaller, realistic goals. When I was 20 and still serving in the Israeli army, I had a dream to work as a film composer in Los Angeles. I didn’t just wait for that dream to magically come true—I set goals each year that would move me closer to it. I attended the Rimon School of Music in Israel, performed regularly with a band, wrote orchestral arrangements, and eventually went on to study film scoring at Berklee College of Music. I also set smaller goals like landing an internship in LA before arriving here. These steps were all manageable, but they were all part of a bigger plan that ultimately led me to where I am today. So, don’t think of the big dream as the only goal—create smaller milestones along the way that will help you get there.

In the end, it’s all about staying committed, building meaningful relationships, and honing your craft. The journey is long, but every step is worth it.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m definitely looking for opportunities to collaborate with filmmakers, video game producers, and storytellers who have exciting ideas that could be elevated by original music. For me, music is all about storytelling through emotion, and I’m passionate about creating scores that deepen that connection with the audience. If you have a project that could benefit from original music, I’d love to explore how we can bring it to life together.

I’m also really excited about working with inspiring artists who are looking to transform their songs into something more cinematic or orchestral. If you’re an artist with a vision for expanding your sound into a more grandiose, filmic space, I’d be thrilled to collaborate and help bring that vision to life.

Feel free to reach out to me through my website, email, or social media. I’m always open to connecting with like-minded creatives!

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