We were lucky to catch up with Roberto Prado recently and have shared our conversation below.
Roberto, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I draw inspiration and optimism from others. I love watching anyone who’s truly passionate about their craft. It doesn’t matter what they do; if they’re smiling while doing it, I’m all in. I try to notice the bright things in life and remind myself that it’s short. Whether it’s watching a little bird or seeing my name on the big screen, I do my best to make the most of every moment, even when times are challenging.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m part of a three-composer team called Tin Man Music. Together, we’ve created original scores for shows like Ninjago, LEGO Star Wars, The Ghost & Molly McGee, A Tale Dark & Grimm, and many more. We’ve been working side by side for over five years now and have built a really close creative relationship.
Our goal at Tin Man Music is always to find the heart in every story we work on through. Within the team, I’m usually the one crafting the more electronic and hybrid cues, but I also love working with orchestras, so I like to think of myself as a bit of a musical Swiss Army knife.
Outside of music, I’m a proud pet parent to a three-year-old Husky–Shepherd mix named Echo and a (hopefully!) devoted husband. My wife, Echo, and I love the outdoors, so you’ll often find us hiking or mountain biking around the LA area.
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?
Being open, kind, and friendly has opened many doors for me. A good smile really goes a long way. Even when my technical skills weren’t fully developed, being a good person and teammate turned out to be even more valuable. Honesty and humility are qualities I believe everyone should strive for.
Persistence and hard work have also been crucial. They’ve helped me show that I’m serious about my craft and not afraid to fail. I’ve failed many times, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those moments. My advice: keep going even if it’s seems that nothing is working. This line of work isn’t easy, and sometimes endurance is what carries you to the next level.
Lastly, genuine curiosity has always fueled me. Stay curious about new sounds, tools, and ideas. Explore new ways to improve your workflow and your life. Be out there and ask questions, share tips, connect with your peers, and grab coffee with fellow creatives to learn what they’ve been up to. You’ll be surprised how much inspiration comes from those simple conversations.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always open to collaborating with anyone who’s passionate about telling a good story, being on TV, film and in any other medium. The best collaborators, in my view, are people who have something meaningful to say and aren’t afraid to experiment with new ideas and formats.
Of course, we all have bills to pay, but if the project is special, it’s always worth it, haha! Most of the time, people from visual media reach out to us since scoring is a natural part of that process, but we’re equally excited about collaborations in art installations, games, and beyond.
If you’ve got a story to tell or a vision to share, let’s hear your pitch!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rpradomusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpradomusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saxroberto
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/roberto-prado-aa091019b/
Image Credits
Lorenzo Scavone
