Posts by Jeremy Shattuck

Moments of discovery come when you are tuned-in and not thinking about your own performance. This can come naturally after playing with a band over time, but it’s also easy to become worn out from the repetition of playing the same songs over and over again.

Having a song roughly the same volume or intensity is a formula for disaster. You’re thinking, “Oh no, not me. I always make songs with interesting progressions, builds and changes in volume. I ain’t no noob.”

The song’s lyrics follow the long tradition of smack talkers and lyrical braggarts, touching on important issues like partying, hangovers, haters and stupid fans. Just some of the classics, really.

As someone who makes a living generally working in-between set and post, here are some helpful tips to alleviate stress when managing data and help gel relations with oddballs in post.

No one likes making mistakes, I get it. I have to make an effort not to dwell on my own, no matter how small. I’m a perfectionist and sometimes it’s quite painful.

Being on set can be as cliquey as a high-school-teen-TV-drama. With military-style stratification and classism to boot. Did I mention it’s easy to be fired?

I haven’t pounded out a syllable. I’ve avoided writing all day. Let’s seduce inspiration before she dumps us and elopes with some other schmuck.

The most significant lesson I’ve learned as a composer, film editor and writer is that disorganization kills inspiration and slows workflow like nothing else.

It’s especially difficult to stay on task and meet deadlines on the road. That’s why I want to share some of the writing mantras I’ve learned.

Remember that a micro-budget film is not a bad thing; it’s a horrible story that hurts the most.

The truth that took me 30+ years to realize is that confidence—or faking it—is merely a talent you acquire through practice.