We caught up with the brilliant and insightful OGUZ CAN OZCANLI a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

OGUZ CAN, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I was deeply honored to serve as a jury member for the “Outstanding Turkey International Music Competition,” hosted by Berklee College of Music’s Online Program, one of the world’s most prestigious music institutions. The competition aimed to discover promising musicians and composers in Turkey, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent on the global stage. Being a juror for this competition entailed considering a set of crucial criteria. A well-established global music career was paramount. This included extensive knowledge and experience in the music business, as well as possessing an international-level career. The selection process for the jury required meeting exceedingly high standards, not only within Turkey but also on a global scale. This required having a background as a respected composer within international music organizations. The selection committee, comprising supporters of the competition in Turkey and the Berklee College of Music Online Program, conducted thorough research to identify suitable candidates who met these criteria. From the numerous potential musicians considered, 11 individuals with high profiles and previous worldwide success in the field of music were ultimately chosen.
The competition in Turkey had noteworthy partners, such as the Jazz Society of Turkey, Istanbul University State Conservatory Division of Jazz, Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory Division of Jazz, Middle East Technical University Jazz Society, and Bahçeşehir University Division of Jazz. This collaboration combined the rich knowledge and experience of Berklee College of Music with the extensive network of musicians associated with Turkey’s leading music institutions. It provided young talents with a unique opportunity to collaborate with the best in the music world and refine their skills.
The competition, conducted online, embraced a wide range of styles and categories, encompassing instrumental and vocal performances. It not only promised local and international recognition for participants but also presented a scholarship opportunity within the Berklee College of Music Online Program for the ultimate winner. The successful young talent selected from the competition applicants had the privilege of enrolling in a course of their choice from the Berklee College of Music Online Program curriculum for one semester. This achievement marked a significant milestone in their national and international careers, offering a substantial boost to their future prospects.

OGUZ CAN, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Oguz Can Ozcanli, a composer, arranger, pianist, and producer originally hailing from Izmir, Turkey, and currently calling Los Angeles my home. My journey in music led me to graduate from the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, USA, specializing in Contemporary Writing and Production.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of crafting music for a multitude of TV shows, with my compositions featured on major networks like Netflix, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, NBC, CBS, ABC, and more. Notable credits include the National Geographic TV Movie “Billy The Kid: New Evidence,” a production by 20th Century FOX, starring and co-produced by the renowned Kevin Costner.

I’ve lent my musical talents to the NBCUniversal TV Series “Making It,” starring the talented Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, as well as the Discovery Channel’s TV Series “Killing Fields,” which was executive produced by the Academy Award-winning director Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana, known for their work on “Rain Man,” “Oz,” and “Homicide.”

One of my distinctive projects includes the creation of “Infiltrator,” a dark, sparse, and dramatic pulsating thriller album, distributed by Revolt Production Music. I’ve also contributed trailer music for “Spirits” and “Elle,” produced by the accomplished Pece Dingo.

In my most recent endeavor, I had the pleasure of composing the music for “Why,” a project co-produced by Farhan Alam. “Why” has gained recognition as an Official Selection at the Salento International Film Festival in Italy, the Burbank International Film Festival in the USA, and as a semifinalist at the Social World Film Festival in Italy in 2020.

I served as an additional orchestrator for “The Comeback Trail,” starring icons like Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, and Zach Braff. Last year I served as a production assistant at Encanto concert, in collaboration with Hollywood Bowl and Disney.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As the film makes its way to us post-shooting and even after the final edit, propelled by the film’s box office timeline, I dive into a frenzy of intense, two-way meetings with the director. Simultaneously, I immerse myself in the scenes, diligently deciphering the director’s envisioned musical direction. Depending on audience reactions, there’s often a need to whip up new compositions. It’s a high-stakes race against time, a demanding process that requires my full dedication. Yet, the sense of fulfillment upon completing the music is beyond profound. Wrapping up a film’s soundtrack typically unfolds over about 2 months, but there are instances when tasks must be accomplished within a mere 3 weeks. Throughout this rollercoaster, I meticulously craft approximately 60 minutes of music. My goal is to pour my heart into creating music that seamlessly aligns with the production, resonating with the vision in the minds of the director and the producer.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I believe that having strong friendships and connections is more valuable than accumulating wealth. We all rely on each other, and I’m optimistic that there are plenty of kind-hearted individuals ready to both offer and receive support. Looking ahead, my goal is to unite people through events where they can connect, bridge gaps, and build opportunities for collective success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oguzozcanli.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oguzcanozcanli
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oguzcanozcanli/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oguz-can-ozcanli-a20b555a/

Image Credits
Oguz Can Ozcanli