Painting, Fine Art and Games with Composer Cris Velasco
Jan 16, 2024
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Award-winning Composer Cris Velasco discusses his career in gaming, working on franchises like Mass Effect and God of War. He shares his love for painting and fine art and how it influences his work. They discuss the role of storytelling in game music and their unique journeys into the industry. They also explore balancing order and chaos in the creative process and the challenges of breaking into the game industry as a composer.
Cris Velasco faced obstacles but never gave up on his dream of becoming a composer, showcasing the importance of perseverance and self-belief.
Chris's career demonstrated his versatility and growth as a composer by embracing new challenges and expanding his creative abilities.
The speaker's deep passion for art led them to create a community of artists and collectors, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with art and forming meaningful connections.
Deep dives
Finding an unexpected opportunity
Chris Velasco is a composer who had a long journey before entering the world of game music. After struggling to find work in the industry, he took a job as a telemarketer. However, one day he received a call from his agent offering him a chance to pitch music for Battlestar Galactica. Despite quitting his day job and facing skepticism from others, Chris gave it his best shot and submitted a demo. Although he didn't initially get the job, the development team was so impressed with his work that they reconsidered and eventually hired him to score the game.
The importance of taking on diverse projects
Chris's career has involved a wide range of projects, from big epic games like God of War to unexpected titles like Barbie of Swan Lake. At first, Chris was hesitant about working on certain projects, but he learned to approach every opportunity with enthusiasm and give his best effort. This open-mindedness helped him discover new creative possibilities and grow as a composer.
The impact of persistence and self-belief
Chris faced numerous obstacles on his path to success. He received rejections, battled self-doubt, and worked in unrelated jobs to make ends meet. However, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a composer. He persisted in reaching out to potential clients, honed his skills, and seized every opportunity that came his way. Through perseverance and self-belief, he ultimately built a successful career in game music.
Embracing new challenges and expanding horizons
Chris's career has showcased his versatility as a composer. While he initially focused on big orchestral scores, he eventually took on projects that pushed him outside of his comfort zone, such as cozy farming sims and mystery games. By embracing these new challenges and expanding his horizons, Chris discovered new creative abilities and expanded his repertoire as a composer.
Passion for Art and Creating a Studio Space
The speaker discusses their deep passion for art, particularly dark and monster-themed works. They recall their childhood fascination with monsters and how they developed a love for art as they grew older. The internet played a crucial role in expanding their exposure to different artists and styles. This passion for art led them to start collecting paintings and sculptures, creating a studio space filled with artwork and instruments. They emphasize the importance of surrounding themselves with art and highlight the sense of responsibility that comes with being the steward of unique pieces.
Building a Community of Artists
The speaker shares the impact their art passion had on their life, allowing them to develop a community of artists and fellow collectors. They regularly host artist parties, inviting local artists, other collectors, and like-minded individuals. This community has become a meaningful and special part of their life, offering a different perspective and a break from the music-focused discussions. They express their gratitude for the friendships and connections formed within this community, appreciating the opportunity to engage with artists who have different backgrounds and sources of inspiration.
Austin Wintory chats with award-winning Composer Cris Velasco. Together they discuss his long and illustrious career working on some of the biggest franchises in gaming including Mass Effect, God of War, Darksiders, and Borderlands; and his love of painting and fine art and the ways his two passions inform each other. Watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
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The Game Maker's Notebook is sponsored by Xsolla. To learn more, go to xsolla.pro/AOIAAS.
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