We were lucky to catch up with Madison Kaminsky recently and have shared our conversation below.
Madison , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a customer success story with us?
Recently, I had the opportunity to work with emerging director and cinematographer Chris Barcia on his short film The Last View.
Chris and I collaborated very well together on his project from beginning to end. After releasing the short on YouTube, his film got accepted into film festivals and it won Best Short Film in the Ethereal Frames Film Festival. It was also invited to be on a new streaming site called Next Found Artist where viewers can watch the film whenever they want.
Since delivering the final product of my score for the Last View, I’ve followed up with Chris and kept in touch, and he asked me to make the score for his next few upcoming films, including the one currently in production now titled: The Painter. We are very excited for continued collaboration together in 2025.
I love sharing my story of working with Chris because it is a great example of doing your own networking, making a new connection, and making a great first impression on someone new to you in the entertainment industry.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Music has been in the cards ever since I was born. My dad was my first music teacher putting me on his lap at the piano as a toddler pretending to make me play. Eventually, I switched to having lessons from composer Efrem Bergman all through school until I went to college, who was a great mentor to me.
I graduated from Sonoma State University with a dual degree of Music Performance and Composition. I further studied Film Scoring and received my certificate from UCLA Extension. More recently, I was a transcription assistant for composer Lalo Schifrin. He quickly took an interest in me and became a mentor figure in my music life.
My business model is simple – be willing to collaborate.
I make sure each film maker/director that I work with receives a spotting session or two so that I understand the work that needs to be fulfilled on my end of creating the score. We go through every segment of the film where they want to hear music, and I take detailed notes of their thoughts and ideas.
I’ve learned that even though I get to create the score, it’s the director’s vision. I always try to hear out their ideas and make it happen to the best of my ability, and with what I have access to in regards to recording. I think that’s what sets me apart from other composers in the industry is respecting the director’s vision for the film in its entirety.
As a film composer, I’ve also learned we are the problem solvers. We help add magic to a film by making music to go with it at the end of the filming process. It’s always great to have a score that the whole team is proud of, and not just yourself or the director. That’s when I know I’ve done my job well and successfully and also what I’m most proud of with my recent work.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
After I finish working with a director/filmmaker, I ALWAYS follow up with them. You never know when they might need you for music for a new project, even if it’s not for another year or still in development.
I’ve learned the follow up is very important when you’re done working or collaborating on a project with someone because they will always recommend you for work with people that they know. Following up has been the key for me to have future work lined up.
I’m still in my early career, but I encourage other young composers to do regular outreach, and follow ups with any connections they make, I’ve learned it’s only going to help later on.
I also have a quarterly newsletter that I share with everyone in my network and use it to keep in touch when I release music or have great news to share. I find this to be helpful as well because my industry connections will have a reminder of who I am and helps them keep me in mind for work.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My great communication, meeting my deadlines on time, and being able to work with others and collaborate well has helped with building my reputation. Keeping up with my colleagues through social media and staying in touch with people in my network has also helped.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madisonkaminsky.com
- Instagram: @madisonkaminskycomposer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-kaminsky-ab35aa1b3?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/xYMvCtCdO6k?si=FdkMvHJapWxBSEpp