Hi there, it's been a minute since I've posted on NG. I had left this wonderful community behind, after embarrassing myself on the public forum multiple times with a shitty, self-entitled attitude. Had a lot to think about over the past several years; after reaching my 30s, moving to Los Angeles just three weeks before COVID changed the world, going through two therapists, an ADHD diagnosis, losing 90 lbs (and gaining back 40 of them), a nasty breakup, and almost being homeless before moving back to Florida, it's safe to say that I've had quite a journey, much of it coming close to rock-bottom. Having to fly back home with my tail between my legs, feeling like I had failed my dream of being an LA film composer, was a tough pill to swallow, and at this point, I don't know if I'll ever fully recover from that. Safe to say that I deserved it though, because all those experiences were hard lessons on how to treat people, and to live my life with honesty and accountability (things that I'm still learning, to be completely honest).

As for the music stuff, I can only hope that where I go from here will be a path that keeps me creative and pursuing my dreams. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up doing things that will make me happier than a career in film music. Over the years, I've watched some of my peers who I had considered "newbies" fly past me and kickstart amazing music careers of their own, while I had fallen behind, pretty much in the same place where I was ten years ago (2013 was the year I created this account). Talk about a wake-up call! On the other hand, this unhealthy habit of self-comparing is partly what held me back for so long (among many other things), and so I try to toss aside my fragile ego, and approach music with an empty cup. Furthermore, I started taking up voice acting, in which I totally am an empty cup, so that helps to provide some much needed perspective. I'm gonna end this entry here before this turns into a novel, so until next time - I look forward to reconnecting with this community!

-Jake

If you haven't heard of them: they are an internet group of musical collaborators from all around the globe, who specialize in song covers from anime shows. I'm happy to share that I'm one of them now, and this is my first involvement with them.

Show - Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

Song - "Ninelie" by Aimer feat. Chelly 

In the past few months, I've been taking a sabbatical from film scores to do other things; some personal growth for one, but also taking this time to explore other creative outlets. I've always had an underlying interest in making my own films, though I've never had the drive to do that... until recently that is. I'm a long way before I can call myself a filmmaker, but the point is that I'm now at least learning the craft. Bunches of test videos here and there, slowly gaining the confidence to show my work in public. Here's a test shoot I did with an iPhone 6 (because I'm still quite a few paychecks away from buying a DSLR camera); just me and my friends goofing around, giving zero fucks about how terrible we are at skateboarding. >_< It's pretty crude-looking, but a decent start I suppose.

It's been a while since my last news post on NG, so I'll quickly run down what I've been up to in the past half year: took a hiatus from music/film production while briefly working as a tech support agent for Apple, got fired from Apple, starting writing music again, recently scored a short film, and am currently competing in the NGADM 2015 (as of 09/30).

The short film I scored is called "The Last Hotspot," directed by Justin Melson. It is a pseudo-comedy about wi-fi disruption causing the apocalypse. This was a fun one as you should see in the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTiTBuMWs_U

I also made a behind-the-scenes screencast on the score, which gives you a rough idea of my workflow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNySJJFje44

I've got two films to share this time; both with my music and from two different directors.

"Night Night Nancy" (dir. Lewis Farinella) is a horror film, shot in 4K.

"Heritage" (dir. Damien Kazan) is a narration about the fragility of childhood and how our upbringing greatly affects our future.

Subscribe to these talented filmmakers if you like them!

Here's the latest short film from Lewis Farinella, called "Dear Emma." 

About the score - Considering that the nature of the film had compelled me to reinvent both my writing style and approach towards scoring to picture, it was most definitely the toughest two weeks I've experienced in my composing career thus far. After spending a majority of that time ripping my hair out and self-loathing, I'm really proud of the way it turned out!

https://soundcloud.com/jacobcadmus/sets/dear-emma-ost

Here's the latest short film from my buddy Lewis Farinella, called "Elegy." It is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where much of nature has grown toxic to humankind. The story follows a man who sets out to fullfill a personal task, as he fights hostile survivors to do so.

This music score is probably the most challenging (fun) thing I've done to date, because the context offered a sound palette of limitless experimentation. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude (as well as some money) to Ilse de Ziah, an Ireland-based cellist who enhanced the emotional gravitas of the score beyond my wildest expectations.

Listen to some of the isolated cues:

https://soundcloud.com/jacobcadmus/elegy-ost-the-new-world

https://soundcloud.com/jacobcadmus/elegy-ost-elegy

Wreckroom Productions facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/wreckroompro

Ilse de Ziah's website:

http://ilsedeziah.com/