We had the good fortune of connecting with Karyn Krupsaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karyn, why did you pursue a creative career?
In a word – love. I started playing piano at six years old, so I have been a musician for most of my life. I always appreciated music in general, but fell in love with film scores. Some of the first CDs I owned were soundtracks I requested for the holidays, and I would have themes from films I watched in theaters stuck in my head for weeks. As a child, however, music never crossed my mind as a possible career, so when I began considering what I wanted to do with my life I took a decidedly more conventional route with an education degree. Throughout college, however, I realized that my happiest moments were spent with my musical pursuits – voice lessons, a Minor in music, traditional Irish music courses during my semester abroad in Cork, and the school’s a cappella group. When, without a second thought, I gave up a chance at an Honors degree to ensure I would be there to sing in my final senior year a cappella concert, the truth of where my love lied was revealed. I still did not pursue my passion for several years out of fear, but love prevailed. I sought out film and music courses while working with a local organization on a film they were producing, then I took the biggest risk of my life, moved to Los Angeles with no training, and threw myself into the UCLA Extension Film Scoring Program while working on any short film I could. From that moment, I have been striving to continue learning, continue working, and turning my love into my life. Film scoring is not an easy career, but I have not regretted pursuing this career for a moment. At every other job I have held, I felt as though I needed to put on some kind of facade just to push through the day. When I am writing music for a film, I am myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A distinguishing feature of my work, especially recently, has been the collaborative aspect of all my projects. My music is meant to be an extension of a filmmaker’s vision, so it is important to me to communicate effectively and efficiently with directors and producers on every project. I have been fortunate enough to work multiple times with several directors who have clear ideas about how music can enhance their films, and who are also willing to put their trust in me to make those ideas come to life. I can bring fresh new ideas to the table and the same time be open and accepting of feedback and input. I have also been very lucky to work as a co-composer, orchestrator, copyist, and additional music composer with and for peers like David Boman, Jacquie Joy, and Kristina James, as well as collaborating with various groups of very talented female composers to score large projects. Working with other composers who have unique and exciting ideas keeps my creativity fresh and my work ethic strong.

Composing for film is not an easy career, even when the gigs are flowing and success is in your grasp. Finding that success is even more difficult. Though I have not yet reached a point in my career where I am feeling comfortable with my level of success, I can say that I have been working in this industry in one way or another fairly steadily since I took a chance by moving to LA to pursue this passion. Through my journey, I have learned that the best thing one can do to overcome challenges is to jump in with both feet. Some choices seem risky or not quite ideal, and I have certainly made my share of mistakes, but every choice I make is experience and a chance to learn how to be a better composer, collaborator, and industry freelancer. I seek out every opportunity I can find and try to grab hold. There have been times I have been able to reach out to filmmakers or other composers, and other times that I have been connected to a gig via a prior connection in the industry, but no matter the method I am always on the lookout for the next project. I have done quite a few short films and features, even managing to score several short films and PSAs during the first project-sparse year of the pandemic. I have worked in a copy house and as a freelance copyist preparing sheet music for recording sessions for other composers, participated in a weekend film challenge and a scoring workshop, and collaborated with songwriters and composers alike, all leading up to this year’s work as additional orchestrator and score preparation on the new Meg Ryan rom-com What Happens Later. I think it’s fair to say that there will always be moments (some longer than others) of no work, where we sit around looking for gigs, wondering when the next opportunity will arise. The important thing is to remember the love and persist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Having had several good friends take the opportunity of me living in LA to make the trip to California, I’m well-prepared for this kind of planning! My goal when showing someone new to the city around is always to highlight the spots that are in some way meaningful or memorable to me, even if they might not be the major landmarks. I have been based in the valley since I moved here, so many of my choice locations tend to be in that area. One of the first places I visited in LA was the Getty Museum, which showcases an amazing view of the valley along with the incredible art and the architecture of the building itself. I am (fortunately for a newer resident of LA) a fan of hiking, so for more views I’d take a visitor on a hike at Griffith Observatory and then head inside to see what the center has to teach us. Taking in a show at the Hollywood Bowl is a unique experience for LA as well, a real demonstration of being at the center of the entertainment industry. To go along with the same industry theme, which is of course very important to me, I would take friends to visit film and music studios wherever tours are available (such as the Warner Bros Studio Tour, one of my go-to experiences for my sightseeing friends). I like to try new food all the time and there are so many amazing choices here that I don’t have many regular spots, but I always try to bring visitors to the LA-staple of Porto’s Bakery. Regardless of where you go and what you do in LA, there are always interesting experiences to be had!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is dedicated to my parents, who have supported me along every twist and turn in my path towards this career and are always my loudest cheerleaders. This is also for my industry friends, who have shown that no matter how tough things get, we can always count on each other.

Website: https://www.karynkrupsaw.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karynkrupsawmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karyn-krupsaw-0883169b

Other: Reel: https://play.reelcrafter.com/KarynKrupsaw/2023 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9207539/

Image Credits
Jane Azzinaro, Kristina James, Sarah Krasnianski

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