We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniele Carretta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Daniele, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Good question. Well, first of all you have to be the one who knows yourself more than any other. At least in what you can do. It’s slightly different than being “simply” optimistic (which is – but the way – a good aspect for sure). You have to be honest with yourself, analizing your pro and cons. You get better every day on being effective, building inside yourself the awareness that you can do that thing, simply because you really can do it. It’s not something like “fingers crossed”. No, you really can do it. No matter if you are the only one. The emotional, interior side is always something very personal and you daily deal with it. So, in a certain way, we always act alone with ourselves. I do think that being able to stay, work, think and live with other people is simple but yet complicated if you don’t know yourself. I’ve learned it little by little. It takes time, but it works!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hi everyone! I’m Daniele Carretta and I come from Italy. I like to say that I’m musician and I love to be a musician! It’s awesome when you are happy about what you are and what you do. I’ve always loved the music, since I was a child. I started studying piano and then organ (the king of all musical instruments!) and eventually harpsichord (I know, not the most common instruments).
After many years, I’m still love with classical music and every day I learn something new, I feel new emotions.
But I was searching a way to communicate my feelings, my emotions… and eventually I found that way: film scoring. I always thought that when we watch a film we watch a story we take part in. It could be a real story or a fantastic one, a sad story or a comedy where we recognize some of the things we do sometimes.
So, underlining those stories, those scenes with my vision of the music I thought it was the best way to say to the world: “hey, I’m here! I translate the emotion I feel in music notes”. It’s great!
In 2010 I started to study Film Scoring: I was and I’m excited about that.
Being lucky enough I had the opportunity to score an American short film and I got my first nomination for the “best score” in New York. It was just a small film festival, nothing special but for me it was like someone have said me “hey dude, you can really compose film music…keep going”.
And here I am: I composed original music for various shorts, feature films and multimedia projects. Currently I’m going to work on a new one!
Every project has its own story and it’s so thrilling every time I start a new one!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think: 1) Find what you really like.
2) Know yourself (what you can/can’t do).
3) Stay focused.
The first point (find and do what you really like) I believe it’s the most important one. Because when you study/work/do what you love (whatever it is) it’s a pleasure. This process (unless you are extremely lucky) is not an easy one, not quick either.
But it worth.
Just imagine to do all day long only what you like to do, only what gives you pleasure and satisfaction.
Isn’t this awesome?
It is!
So my advice is: take your time to understand what and who you would like to become. Read and study the good stories, you are not the only one who feels not comfortable, not able to find what he/she really likes.
But everyone – literally everyone – has his/her own path, his/her own way. It’s there, you have just to discover it!
And remember: we can do mistakes (and I do them) but it’s never too late to adjust the way. Stay focused and think positive.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Well, it really depends on your personal view. I would suggest to be extremely curious. Personally I prefer to be well rounded.
The reason is simple: this process let you go deeper into yourself. And know our soul is the key process.
But yes, investing effort on many different areas could be dangerous in a certain way, you can waste your time so please remember: stay focused.
I always try to find the right balance in doing what I consider my main interest, my main passion and other things.
Our strenght has to be ready for facing difficult situations and challenges. I believe the strongest weapon is the knowledge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielecarretta.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielecarretta.filmmusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniele-carretta-15061546/
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@dcmusic
