Ep251: Building Skills, Relationships, and Weathering Industry Storms | with Shie Rozow

Optimize Yourself

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is composer and music editor Shie Rozow whose lifelong passion for music and storytelling led him to work on over 150 feature films including The Flash, The Lost City, Guardians of the Galaxy and Hustle & Flow. Shie has earned 17 Golden Reel Award Nominations, winning for his work on Chicago (as assistant music editor), IMAX: Deep Sea, and Wu Tang: An American Saga along with 4 Telly Awards for his scores to Matt and Maya, Lost Time, One Day You’ll Go Blind, and Body Language: Bill Shannon.

But here's the thing: Shie's journey isn't your typical award-winning musician, child prodigy story. In fact, Shie shares that he couldn't even read music when he applied to music school. You’ll learn how his passion and determination have allowed him to grow and thrive as a creative professional despite the ups and downs of the volatile entertainment industry. Shie has discovered how to diversify his skills, interests, and passions in order to make himself irreplaceable.

In addition to diversifying his skills, Shie has made it a point to build meaningful, genuine relationships. He generously shares the strategies he uses to maintain them and these are some of the best warm outreach strategies I’ve ever heard!

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

• How Shie got a scholarship at Berklee College of Music despite his 'not-so-good' application & audition
• How college prepares you for the real world according to Shie
• Why Shie said 'yes' to so many different things throughout his career
• The importance of diversifying your skills both in and outside of work
• How to be irreplaceable by AI based on Shie's years of industry experience
• KEY TAKEAWAY: How to respond to rejections without the negative impact
• Why building relationships is way better than networking
• The BEST WARM outreach strategies I’ve ever heard!
• Why Shie never landed a job from cold outreach
• Why Shie wrote a book about music primarily for filmmakers (not just musicians)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

OpenAI’s SORA

Shie Rozow's Books (enter the coupon code 'Optimize' at checkout for $5 off)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep250: The Creative’s Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob Howard

Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Ep231: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Ep222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Ep205: Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

Ep59: The Craft of Film Composing (And Working with Composers) | with Joseph Trapanese

Ep248: Make Yourself Memorable: How to Leave an Impression, Build Your Network, & Get Hired | with Carole Kirschner

Guest Bio:

Shie Rozow

Composer and music editor Shie Rozow (pronounced Shy ro-zov) has taken a different path than most leading him to work on over 150 feature films including major international blockbusters like The Flash, The Lost City, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hustle & Flow.

Armed with over 25 years of industry experience and driven by his lifelong passion for music and storytelling, Shie has earned 17 Golden Reel Award Nominations, winning for his work on Chicago (as assistant music editor), IMAX: Deep Sea, and Wu Tang: An American Saga along with 4 Telly Awards for his scores to Matt and Maya, Lost Time, One Day You’ll Go Blind, and Body Language: Bill Shannon. He brings his inexhaustible talent and natural ear for music to every story, weaving a rich musical narrative that compliments the filmmaker’s vision and unlocks new layers of depth.

Equally skilled working in film, TV, and video games, Shie has contributed his talent on hundreds of hours of TV including Desperate Housewives, Arrow, and The CW’s Stargirl, along with Amazon’s anthology series Welcome to the Blumhouse and Shudder’s Creepshow. In addition, he has also worked on music for Disney theme parks and Cirque du Soleil. Shie also composes concert music, which has been performed from coast to coast, releasing his first album Musical Fantasy in 2016. His first book Preparing for Scoring Sessions was published in March 2023 and is now required reading at Berklee College of Music’s Film Scoring program. His second book Every Note Tells a Story was published in October 2023 and has won the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).