We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Soren Odom. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Soren below.
Hi Soren, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
For me, I’ve always been curious, and I think curiosity fuels the work-ethic center of my brain. I’m constantly trying to know more or do better, especially in my craft or art; so staying open to learning more always drives my ambition to keep pushing. It can certainly be difficult at times, but hearing a new song you like, or seeing a film you find compelling is, often times, enough stimulation to make someone want to know WHY that song or film is so compelling. Understanding what makes something you like…well, something you like; often informs how you create, and I certainly believe every artist is a combination of their influences and the flavor of the individual channeling them.
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?
I’ve been composing music for film/media since 2009, with a long standing history of love for the artform years before I gave it a shot. My love of all things film began like many filmmakers, with home movies. I tried to have action figures and Lego bricks swashbuckle or save the galaxy like many young boys in the late 90’s/early 00’s. I wanted to do everything and was fascinated with filming my own little short films, whilst scoring them with my favorite music. This love of music then began to push to the front of the passions I had, in high school, joining the band as a percussionist. I soon took this to college where I studied music and film simultaneously. This is where I met my first long-time collaborating friends at Fighting Owl Films in Mobile, AL. I became a hand on set for our short films, and
provided music for our genre adventures too. After a brief time traveling a path towards being a music teacher, I began to consider the prospect of writing music more professionally and wanted to “spread my wings” as it were.
I moved to Seattle to study film music with composer/orchestrator Hummie Mann at his fellowship program before moving down to LA to put my newly acquired skills to the test. All the while, the idea of being ON SET was always in the back of my mind still. When I met my current collaborator and friend Walter Perez of Verloren Productions, I soon had an opening for providing the voodoo that is film music. But after lengthy discussions and mutual appreciations for films, we discussed the idea of working more directly as director/cinematographer.
I feel it’s an oddness I recognize, being both so invested in both music AND photography, but my penchant for playing with aural color in music, is matched by my enjoyment of photographic light disparities. A tune and a picture (even a painting) can come together in form and composition. For me, however, I always enjoy how refined individuals use color (either tone color in music or actual color in picture) to express that little piece of themselves in their work.
For the present, Verloren Productions’s short ‘NORJACK’, about the D.B. Cooper hijacking in 1971, is heading to Cannes to play out of contest for the cinemaphiles attending. We’re currently in early pre-production for Walter’s next big ambition, a film adaptation of Victor Villasenor’s novel, ‘Macho.’
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?
Firstly, I’d say the ability to recognize WHY you enjoy something about an art style you like or study. Often times we aren’t sure how to articulate why we enjoy something, which is perfectly valid. A great (ongoing) challenge for myself is trying to use more of the knowledge we gather everyday to critical think of why and how something works, so I might have a toolset to recreate that feeling. Secondly, which will sound cliche, but learning to take criticism better. This is also ongoing, so know that anyone at any level might not like having their creativity questioned; but it truly is valuable in a way we can’t evaluate ourselves past our current talent level. Especially if you work in film where each contribution is made to the whole project’s well-being. It takes a village, and it’s easier to have suggestions you’re willing to change, than having anchored positions the require late night arguments with someone who, “just doesn’t understand!”
Thirdly, the ‘who you know’ thing is true, but more importantly I’d recommend remembering that a LARGE portion of gigs people get are from recommendations from friends. The friends part is important; foster relationships with people in your industry and create spaces where you support each other. I know I would rather work with person that has a better attitude with a slightly lesser skill level than the opposite.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The best thing ANY parent or mentor can do, is foster the creativity someone has doubts about. I’m lucky that my parents only wanted me to do something I enjoyed and were actively available to ‘hear some music I’m working on”, or “check out this short film I made!” So many young artists often get the “be reasonable” talk from parents about having a “real job.” But I’m lucky that my parents still support my efforts by cheerleading a bit when I need it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sorenodommusic.com
- Instagram: @sorenodom
- Youtube: @sorenodom9667
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sorenodom
Image Credits
@balletzaida @majofelixmusic
