Today we’d like to introduce you to Steffen Schmidt
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?
I am the son of an Austrian immigrant, a single mother who raised me in Portland, Oregon. My other source of parental guidance came from my grandparents, particularly my grandmother, who nurtured my love for classical music, drawing from her strong background in the genre. I began playing the violin in elementary school and later added the viola when I joined the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. There, I immersed myself in the culture of being a musician within a symphonic and performing atmosphere, participating year-round and going on international tours to Europe and China. During high school, I developed an interest in conducting, which expanded my passion beyond my principal instruments. I later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, graduating with a degree in Film Scoring (now known as Media Scoring).
On a personal note, I have developed a deep connection with South Korea, stemming from my relationship with my college girlfriend (now my wife). I have traveled there over fifteen times, lived in the country, and collaborated with many professional clients, including a director whose project I accompanied to the 75th Venice Film Festival, where we won “Best VR Experience.” Six years later, we are returning this month to the 81st Venice Film Festival with a new project.
My most recent video game score is for Palia, a cozy online multiplayer sim (see Palia.com for more details), where I composed over five hours of sweeping orchestral music. I had the immense pleasure of recording at some of the world’s finest stages, including Abbey Road Studios and Synchron Stage Vienna. I have composed for various genres, including feature films spanning sci-fi, documentary, and thriller horror, as well as VR experiences and video games, which are more sweeping, lyrical, and bright in tone.
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?
It hasn’t been smooth at all. Growing up, my mom had limited financial resources to support my dreams. While my grandparents were more financially stable, they deliberately didn’t give me an easy path and valued teaching root skill sets and values. They made me work for everything, ensuring I truly understood what it meant to earn my goals. As a kid, this was frustrating, especially when I would compare myself to the other kids. However, today, I’m grateful for that upbringing. It instilled in me a mindset that rejects the idea of being a victim and gave me the drive to keep pushing forward, even after countless rejections. Perhaps it’s the perspective of someone in their mid-thirties—no longer young, but not yet old—but I believe people often expect success to come quicker than it realistically does. I strongly believe that success is a balance of timing and consistency.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a composer across various media genres, with a particular focus on Film, Video Games, and VR. I am especially proud of my work in video games and VR, as these accomplishments have taken me to events like the Venice Film Festival twice. My recent score for Palia is another project I’m proud of, not only for the music itself but also for managing the extensive logistics required to deliver hours of AAA-level music. I am proud that I stuck with what believed in what could be possible and beyond. I have no regrets.
What does success mean to you?
Success is often perceived as a singular concept, but in reality, it varies greatly from person to person. While some levels of success may be seen as greater than others, I believe true success is defined by making a positive contribution to society, leaving a memorable impact, and being remembered for what you’ve done. As an artist, if you’ve made a statement and moved someone or a group of people, that is a significant success in itself. I live by this principle: set strong goals, aim as high as you can, never give up, and always remain open to growth by keeping an open mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://midnightcat.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/composerschmidt/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/composerschmidt
