Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Eliett.
Hi Jacob, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the suburbs of Detroit and grew up being exposed to the golden age of cinema and an array of musical styles. My love of film, theater, music, and sound began at a young age, along with my desire to learn multiple instruments. I realized composing was the path for me while playing violin and viola in youth orchestras. It motivated me to take composing lessons via Skype while still in high school.
I hold a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Film Music Scoring and a Master of Music in Composition for Film and Video Games.
I’ve been composing for nine years, creating my own distinct sounds.
I also have a zest for recording sound to film & credit my musical background for giving me a great ear.
I consider music & sound to be my Ying & Yang. If you don’t find me on set with the production sound crew, I’m composing music or recording Foley in my studio.
After all music is a form of sound and audio is the same medium. This makes it natural for me to work in the fields of music composition, production sound, and post-production audio.
I find that being skilled in both the sound and music departments makes me a great asset for any production.
For me, sound is the basis for all good media and music is the icing on the cake.
During my time at the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program, I studied under the direction of several renowned Music Composers and Sound Designers, including Akash Thakkar of Destiny: Rise of Iron – Bungie and Hyperlight Drifter – Heart Machine. Two-time BAFTA-nominated Composer and Sound Designer Ryan Ike, of Reigns: Game of Thrones – Nerial in partnership with HBO and Where the Water Tastes Like Wine – Dim Bulb Games. Also, songwriter Sue Ennis who co-wrote many songs with the band Heart. Plus, program director and two-time Emmy Award Winning Film Composer Hummie Mann of Mel Brook’s Robin Hood Men in Tights.
My companies, Top Note Music Studios & Boom For Sound, offer a full gamut of creative customized music and sound services for games, films, and all multimedia platforms.
When I’m on a project, you can be sure that I’ll Impact the audience with music & sound from a passionate creative.
Alright, 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?
After graduating from the Pacific Northwest film scoring program in Seattle, I made an attempt at developing a career in the area. Although there is definitely a lot of buzz about filming in the Pacific Northwest their stiflingly small film incentives fail to support the industry. It was disappointing to see all the work going up to Vancouver even when most of those films were set in Seattle. So, I decided to move to LA.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In the Music department, I work as a Music Composer, Orchestrator, Conductor, and Mixing/Mastering Engineer.
While on set, I work as a Production Sound Mixer and/or Boom Operator.
During Post-Production Audio, I work in ADR and Foley.
I’m most proud of my recording studio experience. I’ve recorded many times at the world-famous “Studio X” in Seattle, where I conducted and orchestrated for groups of musicians playing my scores. I also had the distinct opportunity to compose, orchestrate, and conduct for a 52 piece Orchestra recorded at the Bastyr University Chapel in Washington State. It has a long history in the film music world and many great film composers have recorded there including Elmer Bernstein.
Growing up, I always played multiple instruments and obtained my love for scoring while sitting in the orchestra. It is truly astounding how much better one can hear all the distinct instruments from right within the orchestra compared to the first row of the theater.
I was fortunate to score my 1st feature film during my undergraduate studies in film scoring. Additionally, during my master’s at the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program, I studied under the direction of several renowned Music Composers and Sound Designers, including Akash Thakkar of Destiny: Rise of Iron – Bungie and Hyperlight Drifter – Heart Machine. Two-time BAFTA-nominated Composer and Sound Designer Ryan Ike, of Reigns: Game of Thrones – Nerial in partnership with HBO and Where the Water Tastes Like Wine – Dim Bulb Games. Also, songwriter Sue Ennis who co-wrote many songs with the band Heart. Plus, program director and two-time Emmy Award Winning Film Composer Hummie Mann of Mel Brook’s Robin Hood Men in Tights.
After graduation, I applied and was accepted to work at the prestigious game developers conference (GDC) as a Conference Associate. This fantastic opportunity allowed me to learn more about the game industry as I really enjoy scoring video games. I was also able to present my music to a panel of industry professional judges and was given rave reviews.
All of these combined experiences have shaped me into the passionate creative I am today, allowing me to impact the audience with Sound and Music.
How do you define success?
Loving what you do so it doesn’t feel like work and being happy with the content you create.
That’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.jacobeliett.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locationsoundmixer/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ScoringMedia/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/RealJacobEliett
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCUmHQOphfLOIuiVSUdWW4zQ
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/scoringmedia/
