Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Mailach.
Isaac, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. My involvement in music began at the age of three when my parents started me on the cello. In high school, I was very interested in math and science, particularly physics, but I felt like none of these fields could give me the fulfillment I was looking for on a daily basis. I loved the cello, but I didn’t want to make it my livelihood and turn it into a chore. I stumbled upon composing music for media (in particular video games) and decided that it was the best career for me. It had the balance of artistry and intellectual stimulation that I was looking for. I studied Composition and Cello Performance at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and received my Bachelor of Music in June 2019. During that time, I began scoring some films on the side. To help me specialize in the field of music for visual media, I decided to pursue a Master of Music in Screen Scoring at USC, which I completed back in May 2020. Since then, I have been working as a freelance composer and assisting film composer Patrick Kirst.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say it hasn’t been the smoothest road. Self-doubt has been one of the biggest challenges. Would I be able to make a living in the arts? Is composing the right choice for me? How can I learn to network with others as an extreme introvert? My solution to these doubts has been to focus on the present and do the best I possibly can now, and worry about the future when it arrives.
One of the biggest challenges in my career so far has been working on my first feature-length film score for the documentary “Before the Plate”. There was a ton of music to write, and I was still learning the ropes at the time. Thankfully, it all worked out quite well, but it was definitely a struggle. Since my training at USC, I feel way more confident at handling whatever comes my way.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I compose music for all types of visual media, including film, television, video games, and installations. My favourite projects to work on are subtle dramas, science fiction and fantasy films, and art films.
In all my scores, my goal is to bring a level of intellectual rigor, originality, and subtlety to the music in order to enhance the drama on-screen. My work tends to lean towards minimalism and often requires smaller more intimate ensembles; I use elements sparsely but with intention. I am inspired by the art music of many 20th and 21st century composers, such as Béla Bartók, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Claude Debussy, as well as classical composers from J.S. Bach to Johannes Brahms. Playing the cello from a young age has had a strong influence on my musical identity, which is why I incorporate the instrument into much of my work. The cello can bring such soul to a piece of music while simultaneously being a very flexible instrument that works in many genres.
I also enjoy working on projects that explore my Jewish heritage and culture. In particular, I have worked on many projects concerning the Holocaust, including live ceremonies, an animated short film, and an immersive installation exhibit called “ShadowLight”. Growing up, I was heavily exposed to Jewish cantorial music and was actively involved in it from the age of 12. This exposure has had a deep impact on my melodic sensibilities.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I wouldn’t be surprised if virtual reality as a medium begins to really take off. There is so much potential in that area for immersive content. I’m hoping for a resurgence of melody-based scores since recent trends seem to steer clear of anything melodic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://isaacmailach.im
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isaacmailach
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9802807
Image Credit:
Alyssa Fritz
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