Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Bertok. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The exciting and daunting part about my work as film composer is that you learn by far the most “on the job”. Being an accomplished composer and musician can help, but it won’t solve the main challenges on a film (or TV) project. I always say, that writing music is the easiest part of my work. Challenges that emerge can be as wide-ranging as: balancing dynamics between producers and the director, interpreting their way of communicating about music, juggling daredevil deadlines and sometimes even more daredevil budgets. Then, starting out you have to be your own PR company, manager, agent. You set your rate and almost always say yes. There is a lot to learn and of course the competition is fierce and global. So I try to focus on keeping my eyes on the ball, doing the best possible work, being patient, committed and being in it for the long run.

David, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I write music for film and television. My most recent film “Daughter of the Sun” just won an Audience Award at Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal where it premiered at the end of July 2023.

One film I am very proud of is the score for “Botero”, a documentary about the famous painter’s/sculptor’s life and work. Botero is such an inspiring artist and someone who has, arguably, the one identifying element needed for success in art: a recognizable style. Another film I am very proud of is “Peace By Chocolate”, which got into the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, with a premiere on June 17, 2021.

I think that besides my diverse musical background, I love finding a unique tone for each project, with a melody or, at least, a musical motive that will seep into your mind. I have also been told that I have “the spectral ability to tap into a project’s soul and lift it off the screen into your memory”.

I can compose to picture, but also based on the script which I am doing currently on a feature film. I can compose to a bunch of keywords that you give me. And I can also improvise on the piano while you sit next to me.

I love when my music is recognized as universal: last year one of the tracks from my “Botero” soundtrack was licensed for a BBC campaign advertising shows like “Killing Eve” and “Britain’s Got Talent”.

Besides my composing work, I love songwriting and producing. I worked with German-Idol winner Marie Wegener. I arranged for deadmau5 on his “Where’s the Drop?” record and for the Angel City Chorale, a choir that made it into the semi-finals on “America’s Got Talent”.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think, specifically with musicians and songwriters, the streaming royalties have to go up. This will have to be done through legislation. The monthly streaming fees are way too low as well. How can we expect the entire music catalogue of all times for $10.99 a month would be a good deal for artists? The user-centric model would be a step in the right direction. Fake streams, bought streams and fake artists have to be eliminated. And maybe the access to release music shouldn’t be as cheap as it is. That is good for the few aggregators but not for the whole picture.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One big challenge for me personally has been the question of “How to sell yourself”. I grew up in two cultures (Germany and Slovakia) but both prefer humility over self-aggrandizement. However, this won’t get you far in show business. I had to learn (and am still learning) how to do that in an authentic way. Luckily my wife is an amazing coach.

I also prefer chatting in person over coffee rather than approaching strangers at social events. The American phrase “You have to put yourself out there” doesn’t have an equivalent in German, or Slovak, for that matter.

But when I talk to filmmakers over a project, they repeatedly point out how they admire my collaborative spirit and my perceptiveness. So it’s about meeting these people, your tribe, kindred spirits, whatever you want to call it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.davidbertok.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbertokmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidbertokmusic

Image Credits
Manuel Hollenbach, Crushed Eyes Media GmbH, Yukawa Toshiki, Guido Karp, Memory Pill Films