Looking For Advice / Input

[DesperateMeasurez]

Hello and thanks everyone who reads this. I'm just looking for your thoughts and opinions on this situation. I'm a bit confused and am curious if anyone else has been in a situation like this and what they did. And this isn't just for composers. I'm writing this from that point of view, obviously because that's my role. This can apply to anyone on a team in any function.

For the last 6 months, I've been composing music for a game. I've been doing this free for a couple different reasons. When I was approached for the position, I was told I would have no deadlines, which I don't. So I can work on my paid stuff and support myself first and foremost. Also, there wasn't a whole lot posted publicly on the project, but the stuff that was posted and the things I saw I liked and found interesting. I thought the story was good and they had some really nice level designers.

The guy who "hired" me was one of two founders of the studio and he is also the lead and sole writer of the project among other things. I'll call him Manager A.

I'm currently working on their latest request of multiple pieces. But today, I get an e-mail telling me the project is ceasing production. Just out of the blue. I call Manager A and find out that the project is actually still going on, but the other founder, Manager B, is taking it over with his team. Manager B and his team have always been working on the game too, they just had different responsibilities. Also, I'm the only composer on the project, there wasn't another in Manager B's squad.

Basically, Manager A is leaving the project. He told me today that he has lost sight of the characters and lost grasp of the project. He just doesn't feel like he can continue with it.

However, he's starting a new project. He's got everyone from our little team who was working on the original project working with him still. There are voice actors, modelers, level designers, etc.

I'm a very slow, deliberate person and when I'm hit with things it usually takes me awhile to let them settle and figure it all out. I'm at that point now. Before I was brought on the original project, he had supposedly been on it for a year or more already. That's a lot of time invested to just leave like that. The projected release date is 3 years from now.

He assured me all the music I had made was still going to be used in the project and wouldn't go to waste. And, he said they still wanted the remaining pieces from the current order I was doing. Honestly, I really don't care about that anyway. My concern is, what if this happens again?

The reason why I'm a bit at a crossroads is I don't want to feel like I'm ditching the team. I'm not a quitter and don't wish to be seen as such. BUT, I do not want to spend a whole bunch of time making music for a game just to be informed a year or two down the road that it's been fried. I asked him about the projected release date for this new game and he couldn't say because nothing has been done on it yet, so there's really no way to tell.

What I'm leaning toward right now is telling him he can keep everything I've already made for the original game (and I'll even finish the last couple pieces they wanted), but I want to wait a year or so until I can see some maps, characters and story progression before I jump on board this new project. By then, if he still wants my services and I'm available, I'll see what it's all about and make a decision. I try to conduct myself in a professional manner, but I also have a responsibility to myself. And part of that is to get involved with quality products that are going to be made.

Does anyone have any general thoughts? Do you think my stance is unprofessional in any way? I really just don't feel comfortable jumping blindly into an undefined project. Thanks so much, everyone. Best wishes!

 

[Euphoria]

Nope, I don't see wanting to wait to see where the project goes as unprofessional. Just let him know that you don't want to make music for a game that might not ever come out so your preference would be to wait and focus on other things until they are further along.

That or you could make music for my game lol

PS. You are doing it for free also, so being completely professional shouldn't be your number one priority.

 

[AwesomeCool]

Let me ask a question, why has he lost sight?  A new idea popped in his head?  Didn't like where the story was going after thinking about it?  For I can tell you right now that there is no perfect idea and after a while of working on a project the ideas flaws will start to show.  People like him will tend to jump on an idea quickly when it is new, when in reality it should be thought about first (I speak from experience).  Ideas sound a lot better in your head then in reality.

I suggest letting him keep the music currently given and join again later when they have shown you something substantial done.

 

[McTricky]

This is precisely why I prefer to see some assets on a project before jumping on.

Personally, I don't think your stance is all that professional. You are composing for free, after all. To have all that time wasted isn't really good.

Back in my early days of composing...uh...I sound old...back when I first composing, I jumped onto projects that were things from being merely ideas to maybe having a couple of character art done. And then I realized...my resume looks really empty. None of those projects were finished.

Unless you're in-house, I think that's how it should be really; getting a composers on when you have a clear set direction of the projects atmosphere and setting.

 

[DesperateMeasurez]

PS. You are doing it for free also, so being completely professional shouldn't be your number one priority.

Haha. Thanks for the input. I still do try to be as professional as I can when dealing with anyone. It keeps me in practice!

Let me ask a question, why has he lost sight?  A new idea popped in his head?  Didn't like where the story was going after thinking about it?  For I can tell you right now that there is no perfect idea and after a while of working on a project the ideas flaws will start to show.  People like him will tend to jump on an idea quickly when it is new, when in reality it should be thought about first (I speak from experience).  Ideas sound a lot better in your head then in reality.

I think this might be a big thing and it was what I was leaning toward myself. I don't want to be jerked around by someone who has a new fad for awhile then loses it. Thanks!

This is precisely why I prefer to see some assets on a project before jumping on.

Personally, I don't think your stance is all that professional. You are composing for free, after all. To have all that time wasted isn't really good.

Back in my early days of composing...uh...I sound old...back when I first composing, I jumped onto projects that were things from being merely ideas to maybe having a couple of character art done. And then I realized...my resume looks really empty. None of those projects were finished.

Yeah, I hear you. I always ask to see whatever I can before taking something. Read scripts, play demos and the like. I was able to do that for the original project, which is why I took it. I didn't jump on an empty one. It's my experience that if someone is confident in their project and they want you to join, they show you tons of stuff because they want to impress you and get you hooked.

The "new" one he has just come up with is an empty project and the reasons you mentioned are exactly why I'm going to tell him to come back to me in a year or so.

 

[Scythuz]

What I was about to type is invalid now that you've made a decision.  

I'll just say instead that I think you've made the right choice from both a professional and a personal point of view.  If you're going to invest your time and effort into a project, it's best if the team behind the project have also invested a reasonably substantial amount of time and effort too.

Treating your free stuff almost as professionally as your paid stuff is good practice and I do feel I have to praise you for that.  I hope this all works out well for you

 

[DesperateMeasurez]

Treating your free stuff almost as professionally as your paid stuff is good practice and I do feel I have to praise you for that.  I hope this all works out well for you

Thank you. I do always try to be as best as I can. I can't help what other people do, just what I do.

Yeah, it'll be good. If I make him mad, I might yelled at, but I'll have more time for other projects!

 

[Scythuz]

Thank you. I do always try to be as best as I can. I can't help what other people do, just what I do.

Yeah, it'll be good. If I make him mad, I might yelled at, but I'll have more time for other projects!

I doubt he'll get mad, he has no right to be really.

 

[mlogan]

I'll throw in that I also think you are making the right decision and if he can't respect your decision, I don't know that I would want to work with him. 

I would maybe (*maybe*) let him know that he's welcome to send you updates from time to time. This will let you see ongoing progress and also hopefully help keep you in his mind.

 

[zacheatscrackers]

I think you're going about this perfectly fine. A lot can happen in a year, yes, but in the grand scheme of things, it isn't a huge amount of time.

I'd check back every once in a while between waiting just to see what's going on before officially starting to work again, but otherwise, yeah, it's best to just go about your business for now until you feel comfortable enough to jump back on the wagon, so to speak.

 

[Touchfuzzy]

Man, coming to us for advice. Some might say you've resorted to some...

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DesperateMeasurez

 

[DesperateMeasurez]

Man, coming to us for advice. Some might say you've resorted to some...

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DesperateMeasurez

Hahaha! Nah, everyone here is super nice. So I figured I'd get some good feedback. I had pretty much been leaning toward what I wanted to do. I just wanted to see if anyone thought I was way in the wrong.

Scorecard currently stands at 2 successful puns of my name for Scythuz and 1 for Touchfuzzy. It's a close match.

And thanks so much everyone for taking the time to read and post. I appreciate it!

 

[Scythuz]

Man, coming to us for advice. Some might say you've resorted to some...

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DesperateMeasurez

You've walked into a dangerous game Touch, when the dice rolls will you gamble or will you take... DesperateMeasurez....

My score card needs updating DM! ;D

 

[DesperateMeasurez]

You've walked into a dangerous game Touch, when the dice rolls will you gamble or will you take... DesperateMeasurez....

My score card needs updating DM! ;D

Scythuz: 3

Touchfuzzy: 1

Why do I feel like I've opened the flood gates to something awful... Just terribly, terribly awful...

 

[Kes]

I think to prevent an ever escalating pun-war is going to need you to take ever more DesperateMeasurez to tone it down.

 

[DesperateMeasurez]

I think to prevent an ever escalating pun-war is going to need you to take ever more DesperateMeasurez to tone it down.

ksjp, I'm feeling like yours might be the best so far and could be a two-pointer. I'm going to have to take it to the judges for review first.

 

[Kes]

Yes, the key is the need for a sharp eye, otherwise the pun falls flat.  And if that were to happen, then probably there would be a quaver in my voice, unless, of course, I just became crotchety.  But maybe I'm setting the bar too high?  Though a good pun can stave off boredom.

 

[Touchfuzzy]

Scythuz: 3

Touchfuzzy: 1

Why do I feel like I've opened the flood gates to something awful... Just terribly, terribly awful...

Idk, I think your scoring system is a...

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Touchfuzzy

 

[DesperateMeasurez]

Idk, I think your scoring system is a...

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Touchfuzzy

Scythuz earned two of those points in the last month or so. He made a pun out of my name in two separate status updates I had made. So, that's where he has the other two points. Most people on here probably didn't see them.

So, lesson of the day is to watch out for Scythuz because he's awfully sneaky.

 

[Scythuz]

Idk, I think your scoring system is a...

(•_•)

( •_•)>⌐■-■

(⌐■_■)

Touchfuzzy

How do I even make a pun with my name, if I pull it off one day I should get at least 50 points for it :S

Welp, luckily most people on the internet can't even spell my name, let alone pronounce it ;D

Scythuz earned two of those points in the last month or so. He made a pun out of my name in two separate status updates I had made. So, that's where he has the other two points. Most people on here probably didn't see them.

So, lesson of the day is to watch out for Scythuz because he's awfully sneaky.

I feel like the one I made to do with the stairs should be worth two, after all Shaz laughed at it