Interview with Or Chausha
Or Chausha is a talented young composer writing music for motion picture and video games, and currently living and working in Israel.
To learn more about him and his works check his website.
Trailer Music News: Hi, can you tell us more about yourself and your work?
Or Chausha: Hello TMN, thank you for having me here for the interview. My name is Or, I’m 24 (it rhymes), I’m a composer from Israel. My first steps in production music for the media started when I used to collaborate closely with Packotec Productions which is a music production company based in Israel. Our work together included music cues for some of the major titles such as CSI:Miami along TV shows and various productions in and abroad Israel. My agenda toward my music is always search new original ideas and unique sound. My work varied from orchestral hybrids to industrial and electronic elements aiming to achieve state of the art sound. That will fit naturally along motion picture and video game.
TMN: How and why did you decide to become a professional composer?
OC: It’s actually an old story of me as a teenager when friend introduced me to the possibilities of creating music with computers. Needless to say I got enchanted by it right away; as days went by I’ve discover the world of soundtracks and movies scores later on then came video games. Most of my inspiration comes from it. Understanding my passion helped me come to the conclusion I want to compose soundtracks professionally.
TMN: Which composers had a significant impact on your musical style? Who is your favorite composer?
OC: Orchestration wise I would say that John Williams has the most significant impact on my style and inspiration. He is so versatile. Nevertheless my favorite composer is Harry Gregson-Williams who took the modern elements and sound to a whole new level with a great diversity and uniqueness.
TMN: What tools do you use to compose music? Do you play any instrument?
OC: I play the piano. I compose my music mostly with computers. I use Cubase as my main sequencer. In addition I work with the highest quality sample libraries for my orchestrations. Synthesizing my own sound patches and creating my own percussion loops.
TMN: In your opinion, which instrument or tune should accompany orchestra to boost its sound on a new unique way?
OC: To my opinion, combining industrial cutting edge elements and fresh electronic sounds will boost the classical orchestra as we know it to new ways of sound and strength. You recall it nowadays in video games and mostly in trailers. The challenge is to search for your own stamp of color and sound that will divide you from the others. but taking in mind the capabilities of synthesis and sound processing. Sky is the limit.
TMN: What was your most remarkable success in your career so far?
OC: Professionally wise my most remarkable success so far was getting recognition for my work from some of the major production houses in UK and Hollywood such as RedCola and Red Arc commissioned to collaborate and compose music. Simultaneously working on projects closely with Fantasy Productions from the UK. As well as a lead role in composing the soundtrack for the Fall Of Nations video game title by Madiba 127 Studio. Personally the biggest achievement so far is getting kind and warm feedbacks from people outside the industry. For me it’s cherry on top ice cream.
TMN: Who would you mostly work with and why?
OC: Currently i’m working mostly with production houses and video games studios. I like the interaction with people involved with production houses and video games studios creative and audio directors, music supervisors. You can learn a lot from these people sometimes they varied depending on the project so its eclectic all the time. It makes the work interesting. Having the opportunity of being involved in major projects that are challenging and ultimately establishing me as a film, trailers and video games composer.
TMN: Which is your favorite video game or movie score and why?
OC: This is a tough question there is no favorite. There are favorites! A video game soundtrack that I really liked is Dragon Age 2 by Inon Zur. I think Inon did a great job creating a beautiful atmosphere with remarkable themes. a recent favorite movie score is Unstoppable by Harry Gregson-Williams. I really like the way he combined electronic and industrial elements with orchestration. Sound wise the mix is very tight everything is open. You can hear the smallest elements. In addition I find that the Bed Time Stories movie score by Rupert Gregson-Willams, it’s a magnificent orchestration work.
TMN: As you are currently working in Israel: Can you tell us more about the music industry in Israel? Which are the biggest pitfalls if someone wants to make a living there as a composer?
OC: The commercials and advertisement industry is very developed in Israel from all aspects. nevertheless music wise we have the biggest names composing for commercials in and abroad Israel. I would say that the industry for video games is more established in the US. We have a growing film industry that starting to take place in the world. with that said we have some of the best musicians in the world from jazz to rock to classic and Avant-garde. In my opinion every person regardless to his location needs to over come the challenges ahead of him. thanks to the internet and communication nowadays things are more flexible. I think the key is determination, persistence and equanimity.
TMN: What are your plans for the future?
OC: My future plans, currently i’m completing the full soundtrack for the Fall of Nations video game title from Madiba 127 Studios. Ss well as trailer music commissioned by some of the major production houses in Hollywood and UK and few project I can’t reveal right now. But most important is getting acquainted with the industry, meeting new people such as you, interviewing me 🙂
TMN: Manu Chao or Lady Gaga?
Or Chausha: Lady Gaga.
