Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Moody.
Hi Cameron, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My introduction to the world of film music came when I was a small boy, maybe 5 or 6. I saw George Lucas’ space epics, Star Wars, for the first time. Of course, as a byproduct, I was introduced to the man who would ultimately change my life, John Williams. I can remember me and my older sibling running around with toy lightsabers pretending to be in a very heated battle, all while humming Williams’ “Duel of the Fates”. For reasons I could not then explain, those films did something to me emotionally that no other film (series) had or has since. Once I realized that it was because of the scores, I made it up in my mind that I did not want to do anything else.
This led me to begin playing instruments, namely the trumpet and piano, with the goal of becoming a better musician. I began to study the symphonic repertoire very seriously, everyone from Bach and Holst to George Gershwin and Aaron Copland. A lot of my early teenage years were spent with my head in a score, picking apart the smallest details in these masterful works. As I became more knowledgeable, I began to write. While it may not have been very good, it was a tremendous learning experience. Over time, I became more comfortable in the medium.
A series of networking events and workshops brought me to Hollywood at around age 15 or 16. When I arrived, I was so excited to be in the entertainment capital of the world that I soaked up every possible facet that this town had to offer. With the help of my mentors — and two of the most wonderful people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing — Michael Levine and Mirette Seireg, I was introduced to many people who I know call friends and colleagues. I was fortunate to meet everyone from established composers to businesspeople who make the magic happen behind the scenes. The next few years would be spent cultivating those relationships and, fortunately, beginning to get work as a composer.
As my workload has increased over these last few years, so too has my desire to improve. To this day, the excitement of that little 6-year-old boy has never left me. I wake up every morning and when I begin to work, I think of how truly lucky I am.
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?
I don’t believe that any worthwhile journey is without hardship. I have benefitted greatly from the many relationships and experiences that I have been fortunate enough to have but to say that the road has been “smooth” would be dishonest. Perhaps the biggest struggle that any artist may face in their journey is an internal one. “Am I good enough?” “How can I be better?” “Look at what he’s doing!” “Look at what she’s doing!” Especially in the gestation period of one’s career, but really irrespective of stature, I think it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of comparison. To divorce oneself from this idea and, as the saying goes, “run your own race”, is easier said than done. I will say that this internal battle is an ongoing one, naturally so, but it is essential to focus on learning and improving.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My job as a composer is to service the story which I am helping to tell. Whether it is for a film, television program, or something else, dramatic and emotional support of the story is essential. On any given day, a composer may be summoned to write music for horror, comedy, romance, or an amalgam of genres. In any event, one must work to get inside the DNA of the story and with the help of the director, find their role in helping tell the story. This is often the hardest part, but when you get it right, the most rewarding.
My experience working in films has been wonderful. I’ve worked on everything from non-fiction serial television to intimate dramas and even a grandiose supernatural epic! Each film has different needs and thus, asks different things of its composer. I think versatility is a mark of staying power, and this breadth of projects has certainly done me well in preparing for the ever-changing gauntlet of working in this business. I hope that, with each project that I complete, I am able to put a few pieces of knowledge into my toolbox and be able to use the lessons I’ve learned to do my best on each film I’m brought in to work on.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I really enjoyed my childhood, so it is difficult to highlight one specific memory as being my favorite. However, one that sticks out is my very first professional basketball game. My parents took my older sibling and I to see the Atlanta Hawks play the Miami Heat. As an avid basketball fan (and former player), I can remember playing my NBA video game and learning all of the players’ names and jersey numbers in preparation for the game. I remember feeling the grandeur of the arena, the endless rows of seats, and just how big everything felt. Once the game got started, it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. Everyone was so tall, taller of course than they appeared on TV, and it all moved so fast. The Hawks ended up winning that game, and I remember replaying the entire game in my head on the car ride back home. Besides the game, it was a wonderful family night, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cameronmoodymusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronmoody_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.moody.5055
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIWGJ520wBmsp_AWf8elP1g
Image Credits
Jessie Cleveland © Joel Henderson Comeuppence ©
