Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelangelo Rodriguez.
Hi Michelangelo, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
A native of Austin, Texas, I was surrounded by many different genres of music, so I was naturally surrounded by inspiration. My dad plays mariachi music, so I was always super familiar with that! But funny enough, I really started to get into music at my local Target. When I was in sixth grade, I was passing through the aisles when I found a small Casio keyboard that lit up when you pressed the keys and I was captivated by it. I got it and instantly loved it because it was fun to play. Plus, I really just liked the lights :).
I started playing piano in middle school before beginning to write my own music in high school. I was able to further shape my craft with guidance from the wonderful faculties at both the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and NYU Steinhardt’s Screen Scoring program, where I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees respectively. Right after graduating from NYU, I found myself in Los Angeles, where I joined renowned music house Squeak E. Clean Studios as a full-time Studio Assistant, as part of their West Coast team.
My background and training has absolutely been a huge part of who I am today. As a media composer, I prefer to keep the mindset that I’m not being paid to compose but rather to help the director, brand, etc., tell a story. As a composer, I’m first and foremost a storyteller, and it’s so important to always have that mindset because it helps you become a better communicator within the craft. I’m still quite early in my career, but I’ve found success by being able to learn how to communicate effectively with my collaborators. Being an efficient communicator allows me to better connect with people, thus having as great of a finished product as possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve learned that it’s essential to keep a positive attitude and to try your best to not be discouraged when you hear a “no.” When you work in a creative field, you’re bound to hear many rejections, especially when you’re starting out, and I found that it’s important to not take things personally, have a thick skin, and learn from your mistakes. So many things can change with just one “yes.” Many lessons and success stories originate from failure, and somewhere along the line, we have to pick ourselves up and overcome whatever obstacles we’re facing.
I like to think that having a high work ethic, being reliable, and staying organized are essential in trying to “smooth” the road. As a media composer, I often have really tight deadlines, and I’ve learned that having a mindset of telling myself that I’m gonna get the job done no matter what deadline or no matter the circumstances has helped me along the way. Being ready, having a plan, paying attention to detail, being open to criticism, and connecting with people on a personal level has helped me a lot along the way. Also, it’s important to have fun and to always remain humble.
Above all this, I’ve overcome struggles by always trying to find inspiration. Keeping that creative spark alive is one of the utmost important things. No two projects are exactly the same, and every project presents a unique challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In a world where there’s so many composers, it can be really hard to differentiate yourself from others. I like to think that being able to musically think outside of the box helps with that. Keeping an open mind, musically speaking, has lead me to find and nurture my own voice. I love to genre-blend in my music and am always looking for new and unusual combinations of instruments to play with.
As a Studio Assistant for Squeak E. Clean Studios, I do everything from composing, music editing, to some sound design, among other things. I’m especially proud of our 2022 Super Bowl commercial, BMW’s “Zeus & Hera,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Salma Hayek, where I was the composer. I’m also the proud composer for the ongoing Spotify Studios podcast “FOGO: Fear of Going Outside.” Both of these jobs have been so much fun to work on because I was able to really let my personal musical voice shine, plus I got to work with some really wonderful people!
I got to where I’m at professionally thanks to so many wonderful mentors and collaborators that have given me opportunities. Because of them, I’m able to learn so many things (and still learning to this day!) about the industry and what it takes to become a successful media composer. They’ve played an integral part into helping me become the composer I am today.
How do you think about happiness?
Family, friends, and all my loved ones (pets included!). Because of their support, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pursue my dreams. And as long as you love what you’re doing, and you’re having fun doing it, that’s the most important part.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.michelangelorodriguez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrnanovideos/?hl=en
Image Credits
Priyesh Rughani
