Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Boring.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My earliest memory of music is tinkering on my grandma’s piano as a young child. I think what struck me then was the complex mechanics of the piano – the hammers hitting the strings to produce a note and the sustain pedal allowing the strings to resonate. It was all the pieces moving independently to produce sounds that excited me. Then, in fourth grade, I joined the school band and started on the flute. I soon took up the saxophone and spent hours each day practicing and continued throughout middle and high school, where I was fortunate to have wonderful music teachers who encouraged me to write for the high school band and orchestra.
I studied Music Composition, Saxophone, and Business Economics at UCLA. During my time there, I became friends with aspiring filmmakers and began scoring student films. This served as a valuable learning experience and as I approached the end of my college years, I set my sights on a career in music for film and TV. I landed an internship at Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions, which was a pivotal moment for me and is where I am currently still working.
After my internship, I started working for composer James S. Levine, where I contributed additional music for TV shows such as La Brea (NBC), Ordinary Joe (NBC), and Katy Keene (CW). This experience and my relationship with James Levine eventually led me to co-compose the score for Spongebob: The Cosmic Shake with my close friend Anderson Alden. Currently, I am excited about new work relationships and upcoming projects.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
An initial struggle I faced was the competitive nature of the film scoring industry. Even to become an intern required perseverance and extensive networking. Through times of rejection, I try to focus on the craft and hone my writing.
An ongoing challenge is navigating the complexities of the creative process, which often involves working with many people including directors, producers, and other collaborators. Everyone brings their own unique vision which makes it both a challenge and part of the joy of the work. Navigating these variables while producing quality music and meeting the needs of the project is often a balancing act.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Many composers, it seems, traditionally play the piano. While I do play some keys, I consider myself, first and foremost, a saxophonist and woodwind doubler. I have a growing collection of flutes, recorders, whistles, and other eclectic woodwinds that I often record. I regularly rely on this woodwind background to come up with interesting sounds to make my music unique.
Outside of the music world, I’m an aviation enthusiast and earned my private pilot’s license at age 17.
Composer for Spongebob: The Cosmic Shake
Additional Music Written for:
La Brea Season 1 (NBC)
La Brea Season 2 (NBC)
Ordinary Joe (NBC)
Katy Keene (CW)
The Gospel Project (Netflix)
What does success mean to you?
The most important thing to me is creating music that enhances the story and resonates with the audience. When my music can effectively evoke emotions, enhance the mood, and support the narrative of a TV show or movie, I feel successful.
For me, success is also about building and maintaining meaningful relationships in the industry. Collaborating with directors, producers, and fellow composers while creating a positive working environment is crucial.
Continually growing and evolving as a composer is another measure of success for me. This involves pushing creatively, exploring new styles and techniques, and constantly improving as a musician. It’s necessary to stay relevant in a dynamic industry and continue to learn and adapt to new technologies and workflows. For me, success is about setting and achieving goals, whether they are related to career milestones, personal growth, or creative fulfillment. I try to keep joy and discovery as a central part of my writing process.
Contact Info:
- Website: jakeboring.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jake.d.boring/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jake.d.boring
Image Credits
Nate Nguyen-Le https://www.instagram.com/natecuboi/
