Meet Scott Stinson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Scott Stinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

“Overcome” is a strong word! I’m not sure that I’ve completely conquered it, but I do have some effective ways of dealing with it. I try to tackle it from two angles.

First, I remind myself that anyone may deal with it regardless of how skilled, experienced, or accomplished they may be. I distinctly remember talking to a friend of mine who had just won an Emmy and even she was dealing with imposter syndrome. Stories like that remind me that feeling like an imposter isn’t a sign that you don’t belong. On the contrary, I believe it’s often a sign that you care deeply about performing as well as you possibly can.

Second, I try to ground myself in reality. If I’m feeling particularly imposter-ish, I take stock of my real-world experiences and the trust others have placed in me in my professional life so far. I remember that I’ve been hired, brought back, and recommended by people I deeply respect and I remember that those people believe in my work for a reason. If I’m having trouble trusting my own assessment of my skills, I lean on the assessments of people whose professional judgment I admire. If I trust their work, I can probably trust their belief in mine, right?

To anyone who struggles with imposter syndrome: Remember that you are not alone. Take an honest look at your journey and don’t be afraid to give yourself credit where it’s due. You probably belong more than you think.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Absolutely! I’m a composer and sound designer working primarily in video games and film. I specialize in creating emotionally grounded music and immersive soundscapes that elevate the player or viewer experience and bring stories to life. I also have a background in music editing, dialogue editing, orchestration, and audio implementation — which is essentially the skill of integrating music, sound effects, and dialogue into a video game engine in a way that responds dynamically to the player’s actions and the systems of the game.

On a less technical note: What I find most special about writing music for media is the unique relationship I get to have with the story. Most composers write songs for themselves or for their audience, which is beautiful in its own right. But on every new project that I work on, I get to travel into an entirely new world that exists outside of my music. I deeply appreciate being welcomed into that world, learning its nuances, and then contributing to it in a meaningful way. There’s a delicate balance with this kind of work: you must do your best to blend seamlessly with the world these incredibly talented artists have built, add something of your own without misrepresenting that world, and find ways to mirror and enhance that world through the music. That’s the most special thing about what I get to do. And seeing it all come together in the end is like no other feeling in the world.

Beyond my creative work, I’m passionate about community building. I currently serve on the board of the Los Angeles chapter of IGDA, where we connect and support local game developers through events, partnerships, and online initiatives. I also enjoy the occasional speaking opportunity and I am active in other game development communities like Black in Gaming and the Melanated Game Kitchen.

I am currently working on some very exciting game and film projects that I’m not yet at liberty to talk about. If anyone is interested in following my work, my social media and website will be updated as things come out!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1) The ability to push through writer’s block. Or in other words, being able to create even when you’re not feeling inspired to. For me, that means writing music or designing sounds, but if you work in any creative field, this probably still applies. In game and film production, deadlines rarely make room for long creative slumps. Early in my career I wrote much more slowly and when I started working more, I quickly learned that I needed to improve in this area. Learning music theory in school helped because the more tools you have, the easier it is to find the right idea quickly. But what’s helped the most has been dialing in my process. I like to start every cue with a clear structure before filling in the details. That way, I have a workable foundation to build and iterate on and if I need to share an early version of my work, I’m not stressed because I always have something coherent to show.

2) Being a people person. This doesn’t mean you have to be the most outgoing or popular person in every room! It’s about being personable, polite, and dependable. In collaborative fields, skill alone is never enough. People want to work with those they enjoy collaborating with and can trust to communicate well. Your technical and creative skills are going to be a prerequisite for any job you get. In my opinion, creating and maintaining positive, respectful relationships is what actually opens the doors in your career.

3) Not being married to your ideas. Many creatives have a hard time making changes to work they’ve poured themselves into. But in collaborative projects, you’re there to serve the greater vision. So if it turns out that the awesome didgeridoo solo you recorded doesn’t make the cut, you have to be okay with letting it go in service of the bigger picture.

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

Absolutely! I’m always interested in collaborating with creative, passionate people whether that means serving as part of a larger audio team or being the one-stop-shop for all music, sound effects, and dialogue. Every project is an opportunity for me to expand as an artist and as a person and I value each team I work with no matter how big or small. I also enjoy partnering with other audio professionals and hiring talented musicians and engineers whenever I can.

If you’re interested in working together, the best way to reach me is through social media or through the contact form on my website https://www.scottstinsonmusic.com/contact. I’m always happy to have a dialogue and see where it leads!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Amara Stinson, Val Taylor

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