Find Your Tribe
The film and music industries share many universal traits around the world, but the experience of working in them can differ greatly depending on where you are. Here in Australia, these industries are relatively small compared to the USA, UK, Europe, or China. That smaller scale means creatives here often have to become jacks of all trades.
Many Australian productions run on lean teams. Just watch the credit crawl of a local film and you’ll see how many roles are often handled by just a few individuals, sometimes even one. In the music department, it is not uncommon for a single person to handle everything: composing, arranging, orchestrating, recording, producing, and preparing the final score.
Some might see this as a limitation, but I’ve come to see it as a strength. Some of the most powerful and innovative works have come from small, passionate teams with a clear shared vision, where everyone contributes across multiple areas.
Yes, I sometimes wish I could focus solely on composing while a team handles the rest. But there’s also real satisfaction in seeing a project through from beginning to end, knowing your hands have shaped every part of it.
For composers and producers in countries like Australia, there’s an extra layer of challenge. Not only are there fewer opportunities, but the jobs themselves often require a much broader range of skills.
Smaller teams tend to become tight-knit, almost like family. And once those bonds are formed, it can be harder for outsiders to join the team later on.
Some of the best creative relationships I have had (and still have) began early in my career. We grew together. We worked out the kinks. We built trust. And like a great band, when the chemistry is right, it’s best not to mess with it.
So if you’re just starting out in this industry, here’s my advice: find your tribe early. Connect with other creatives who are also learning the ropes: Film makers, animators, producers, directors. Grow together. In those early stages, there is more space to define your role, to explore your skills, and to develop naturally without too much pressure. If you’re lucky, that early team will become your lifelong collaborators. You can establish yourselves in the industry and rise together.
That’s exactly how it happened for me.
In the end, working in a smaller industry like Australia’s may require more versatility and a broader skillset, but it also offers something deeply rewarding: the chance to form lasting creative partnerships built on trust, shared growth, more creative freedom and mutual understanding. While the path may be less defined and the opportunities fewer, the potential for meaningful, long-term collaboration is immense. For those just starting out, building your team early could be the most important step you take in shaping a sustainable and fulfilling career.
