Creating a Demo CD

First of all, make sure you have these few things :- CD-Rs, CD labels, CD covers/sleeves, envelope, paper, ink. Then follow steps listed below.
1. Have your music ready. All mixed, mastered and ready to go.
2. Burn suitable pieces onto a CD-R. Make sure it works both on computer and regular CD players.
3. Make CD label with your name, type of genre, and contact information. If using CD cover, you might also want to print a cover with the track listings.
4. Write a cover letter
5. Print list of credits (if any) or resume
6. Put CD, letter and credits into envelope.
7. Buy stamps.
8. Mail it

Yup, this is basically what I've been doing the whole day today. Both at work and at home. The minute someone accepts submissions of demo CDs, this is basically what you have to do. So when I came home, I remastered all my demos and burnt them on a CD. I still have to get the CD labels and stuff. But it will be done soon.

Heh. Come to think of it, this is the very first Demo CD I've ever sent out. Usually, it's just an email to that person stating my background, and that I'm interested in working on the project, and then direct him to my MySpace page. Much much easier to do that nowadays. But there are certain benefits of sending a CD though. They are not forced to sit in front of the cmputer to listen to your music. They can pop the CD into the player while they're driving home, or pop it into a CD player at work...increases the chances of your music being heard I guess.

Oh. Anyways, whom am I sending the CD to? Wel. Long story. I am taking this 'Survivor's Guide" course right now. It basically gives you the nuts and bolts of how to survive being a composer. We had an assignment the prevous week. Get a copy of the production listings that state all the projects that are in production right now. Choose a project which you think is attainable. Find out contact info. Call them and ask if they're looking for a composer. If yes, try to get an address where you can submit your Demo CD.

Basically, this is also what I do at the management company. So, easy peasey right? WRONG! It's so easy to call for other people but when it comes to calling for yourself...heh. A whole other story. Anyways, I chose three projects that seemed pretty reasonable. This is what happened.

Call #1

...dials..
Voice : Hi, you've reached the production company for project so and so. We are not available to answer your call at the moment. Please leave a message and your contact number and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Me : (Yeah right you'll call back)
BEEP
Me : Hi, my name is Doreen. I was just wondering if you're looking for a composer for project so and so. If you can, please give me a call at.......Thank you.

Right. That is one of the most typical answers you'll ever get. Voice mail.

Call #2
Voice : Hello, production company so and so
Me : Hi, my name is Doreen. I was just wondering.....etc etc etc
Voice : Let me connect you to so and so
So and so : Yeah?
Me : Hi, my name is Doreen etc etc etc
So and so : Yeah, just send an application to our company okay?
Me : Where is that?
So and so : All the information is on our website. So and so. Okay? Bye
Me : Thanks

This is what you'll get on a slightly lucky attempt. First you actually get to speak to a real person. Second, you get an address to send your demo to. So, one thumb up for Call #2. After that...

Call #3
Voice : Hello?
Me : Hi, my name is etc etc etc
Voice : Wellll, we are basically using a lot of old songs for this project. And we have someone who's gonna write the main theme for this...if you could find someone who knows the usual rates for a 2 hour feature, that would be good. Just get back to me after that.
Me : (wha...what??) Erm...well, it depends on the budget of the film...whom am I speaking to??
Voice : Og, I am so and so (the director!!!)
Me : !!!!
Voice : What we have with the other guy is a profit sharing thing...etc etc etc...Anyways, let me give you a LITTLE information about the film.....

...Talks for 30 minutes about his movie

So..yeah, it ended on a really good note. I got the address to send my Demo to. He's interested in giving it a listen. He's happy that I seem to be interested to be part of the project. So there you go. Call #3...big success. now it's a matter of following up.

Heh. I guess this assignment did me a lot of good. :) But in general...one must have loads of perseverance, enough social skills , right location, a dash of luck and a sufficient amount of skill. (yes, I actually have a test tomorrow....so...trying to sink in some stuff here!)