Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Galiana.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started studying piano when I was four years old. I developed my musical skills through studying at several music schools and conservatories. I realized that I liked film music when I was 14 and from that moment, I didn’t stop fighting to do what I wanted to do. I came here to Los Angeles to study the Film Scoring Certificate after doing my degree in composition back in Spain. When I was almost finishing the certificate, I started my internship at JoAnn Kane Music Service. JoAnn Kane is a music preparation company based here in Los Angeles. We work for composers such as John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, Alan Silvestri, John Powell and a long, etc. After being interned four months, I got hired. My boss liked me and he decides to keep me with the company. I was working full time and I got promoted just when this COVID crisis started. Apart from that company, I am working for one of the most important multinationals in the gaming and leisure sector in Spain and in Latin America. Doing some music for some cellphone apps.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road at all. I had to study a lot when I was young. I had no free summer, no free Easter, nor Christmas…etc. Every day was laborable day to me. And also, I was so lonely during my degree, I was the only girl in my promotion back in Spain. So, it is hard when you don’t have any referent either. You don’t study any female composer during the degree nor before and that is so discouraging. Also, it was difficult to come here to Los Angeles. I had to work in a thousand places to save some money. I worked in a restaurant, taking care of children, in a fish market…etc. Even though my parents had to help me with more money that I have to pay them back yet.
Also, once I arrived here was hard to deal with finding an apartment, buying all the furniture, learning how things work in another place, another culture…etc, and everything in another language and with no one to help you. So, doing all this was pretty hard. Also, as you need sponsor to work here, not all companies want to deal with that. So sometimes it is harder just to find job. And even if you find it, you need a VISA to stay here and to get that you need to pay 8000-dollar approx. But paying this amount doesn’t guarantee that you are going to get it. So, in my opinion, being immigrant here makes everything even more difficult.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
At JoAnn Kane we provide proven, customized, and rapid music preparation services. Our goal is to meet all of our client’s needs with preparation of scores, parts, sketches all on deadline. We manage also a rental library with music of a variety of clients. With our printers and storage, we are also librarians so experienced to meet all the printing and archiving works that our clients need.
What I like most about this company is that we work on big Hollywood projects with the best professionals in our field and this allows you to win some experience and learn a lot about the whole process of film scoring. Another thing that I appreciate a lot is the work environment, where everyone has a voice. All decisions are consulted by the entire team and we are constantly appreciated for the work we do.
In the multinational gaming and leisure company, I am a composer. I write music for every room of the apps and also for the promo advertising. What I like the most about this job is that I have a lot of time to write my music and I enjoy a lot doing it because I have a lot of freedom when composing.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think that the quality that makes me unique as a composer is that I am very flexible and adaptable to any project and situation. I am a very versatile composer and I try to get always an original, personal and creative product. I have a special sensibility for knowing how to translate the director’s words or feelings into music in order to communicate with the audience without using any word. I have a strong knowledge about orchestration, and I would say that this skill is the most special quality of my sound when composing. I like to explore different textures, different templates, different sounds that I create for each project.
Another of my strengths is my organization skills. When working with thousands of files this ability becomes so necessary. When working at JKMS (JoAnn Kane Music Services) I have to pay attention and focus on having everything well organized and properly classify. The work of a lot of people depends on that, and one only mistake could cost thousands of dollars.
I am used also to working under pressure. At this company, we work against the clock. Many times, our clients rush to the last minute to send us cues for a session that is going to be recorded a few hours later. With this case scenario is so easy to feel overwhelmed. I am trained now to keep calm and being able to organize a team in order to reach the deadline successfully.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.saragaliana.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saragaliana/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saragalianacompo/
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/sara-galiana
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