Who can register?

Is the logical first question. Well, anyone with an interest in the production of media who may have a need for our services, You could be a film or programme maker, a craftsperson involved in the 'sound side' of media production, a corporate video maker, Ad Agency, Production Music Library or even a professional composer.

When you submit a registration request we will review it and use your e-mail address or website address to determine if you would have legitimate reason to access the Client area of the site and either approve your request or get in touch to request further clarification.

When you see below what you get as a result of being a Client member of the site - hopefully you will understand our caution in protection of our intellectual property. If you are a student of one of the disciplines described above that does not rule you out - we also work on student projects, for more information in that regard, pleae check out our Information for Students page.

What Client status gives you access to:

• Showreels with downloadable audio files to use as temp tracks

• Additional contact information

• Access to additional resources, including:
• Guidance Information
• Templates
• Links

• Use (once a first project has commenced) of the HDM Workspace*

* You will be able to access the HDM Workspace, but you won't find anything there until you become a client by commencing a project.

Why would you want HDM tracks in your catalogue?

Well, the honest answer is, that depends. In our experience each library has its own loyal customer base and relationships with clients that are strong. We don't really do U2 or Coldplay 'sound-alikes', nor are we a band producing Indie tracks with vocals.

Although we do produce 'Beds' - that would usually be when required within a specific project - rather than as a stand-alone track for 'off-the-shelf' licensing. You may want to count us out for Rap as well - unless we work in collaboration with a specialist in that field.

What we do write is music that helps to tell stories or communicate messages. If the kind of music you find in the Showreels matches the kind of thing your clients are looking for then we'd be happy to talk to you about individual tracks or complete themed albums.

We have experience of producing work to Library briefs and delivering commercial lengths, stings, segues, pick-ups and so forth. We have also produced trailer library tracks, structured to meet the needs and requirements of trailer editors. We are experienced in writing music which adds emotion, drama, tension and dynamic drive to pictures and music which leaves frequncy space for voice-overs.

We would welcome being included within the ranks of your current roster of composers to whom you send 'writer's briefs', and being given an opportunity to impress you (as well as generate you some income!)

How can HDM help Composers?

All of us I guess have a line in the sand.

Maybe when your hours of sleep fall below 5 a day, or when the budget exceeds the cost of hiring a plumber for a day, or when the time you've got to deliver 60 minutes of music is how long it takes a plumber to earn £1,000 - or maybe even when the project requires a style of composition or orchestration that's so far outside your comfort zone you'd be quicker learning to be a plumber.

Whatever it is, beyond that line is where you might think about getting a little help.

If there's something that needs doing but you don't have either the time, skills, hardware or software to do it then I might be the person to help. Services for composers include:

• Orchestration
• Midi Programming
• Arangements
• Orchestra Part Preparation
• Sub-contracting (ghost or credited)

Our studio is equipped with both PC and Mac running Cubase, Logic and ProTools to ensure compatibility with your needs, and with libraries from VSL, EWQL, Audiobro, Spitfire, CineSamples and many others to deliver the quality your clients demand.

Success as a media composer is so much about networks and relationships. If you are offered work but don't have time (or just don't want to!) undertake it - but want to maintain the relationship with the client, it might be worth asking me if I can sub-contract (either creditied or not) - then everyone's happy. I look forward to the opportunity to buy you the extra time you need to truly focus on the big picture.

David Gosnell can also act as a Composer's Assistant on a project basis (flat fee or per hour), including:

• Preparing Mock-ups
• Preparing instrumental parts
• Liaison with other departments / between music department members (and we can add access to a Project Area in the HDM Workspace)
• Attending Sessions (spotting / mixing / recording / dubbing)
• Orchestration
• Conducting
• The 'paperwork' (Cue sheets, contact reports, meeting notes, bookings etc.)
• The 'donkeywork' (Taking stuff to places, waiting to bring stuff from places, making coffee, serving biscuits [quality depends on budget])

Why consider HDM for your next Advertisement or Corporate Video?

Well, there are at least 2 reasons:

1. We understand both sides of desk

2. Why Not?

Both Sides Of The Desk

Before David Gosnell became a full time composer he followed a career in Marketing. This included working as a Brand Manager commissioning advertising and as an Accound Director receiving and delivering on Client briefs. This means that he both instinctively understands what both client and agency are trying to achieve (and can interpret the language they use, musically) but also has a realistic understanding of the 'interpersonal complexities' that govern why some tracks are chosen and others are not.

This means that we also have a realistic understanding of the pitch process in which an agency can expend a whole lot of resource to impress a client who 'wants to go in a new direction', only to get a 1 line rejection e-mail and the news that they're sticking with the incumbent after all. As a result of our background, we handle agencies much as you handle clients, with; budgets, contact reports, unmissable deadlines, diplomacy and a team based approach to creativity. In addition we offer access to the HDM Workspace allowing us to keep pitching ideas into the pot right up until the last minute.

In terms of Corporate Videos, much of what you find in the Producers, Directors and Editors menus applies, as we have the same production quality standards for both entertainment and commercial projects. The value we add is an ability to understand and respond to commercial objectives with creativity. As with advertising, we would be happy to score a corporate video pitch for new clients without a fee.*

Why Not?

If we have no established relationship with either you or a specific client then we have no expectation of a pitch fee* - we're pitching to get a new client just like you are. If you are already e-mailing a brief to your usual roster of composers, why not just add our address to the CC: box, who knows - we may come up with something that wins you the pitch for the cost of a quick cut n paste!

* A pitch fee being defined as a guaranteed fee whether the agency/corporate video producer is awarded the project or not. We would of course expect to be paid if our work or the work of another composer directly derrived from our pitch submission is used in the final project.