Meet Freddy Sheinfeld | Composer for Film & Television

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

Hi Freddy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Music has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. Back in high school, I was always playing with different bands and discovering the thrill of playing with other people. But it wasn’t until I started messing around with composing that things really clicked for me.

Putting together instrumental tracks became my way of telling stories, mostly in a sci-fi context, as I was heavily into it. Sharing these musical tales and seeing how they resonated with people was incredibly satisfying.

Then, one day, it hit me—I was basically doing what film composers do, telling stories through music. That’s when I started thinking about music as something that I could maybe do professionally.

So, even though I was knee-deep in computer engineering studies back home in Venezuela, I decided to take a leap of faith. I sold everything, packed my bags, and headed to the States to chase my musical dreams. It has definitely been a journey ever since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe we are shaped by our backgrounds and influences, and I’m no exception. My Venezuelan upbringing, infused with Spanish influences, introduced me to various musical styles. While vibrant rhythms of salsa and merengue filled the air outside my home, it was within the confines of my room where I found solace in progressive rock and instrumental music from composers like Vangelis and John Williams. It’s this contrast of musical exposure that has deeply influenced my style. Also, navigating a mixed religious background—half Jewish, half Catholic—further enriched my perspective, fostering a sense of inclusivity and openness in my approach to music. As a self-proclaimed sci-fi nerd, my fascination with space and time travel infused my compositions with an otherworldly allure. Alongside my love for rock, classical, and electronic music, these varied influences have contributed to a (hopefully) unique blend of sounds that define my work.

Despite the challenges of being an immigrant in a city and industry heavily reliant on networking, I’ve learned the value of perseverance and professionalism. Establishing meaningful connections with directors and producers has been paramount to keep working, and I’ve always prioritized collaboration and humility in my work. At the end of the day, my role as a composer is to enhance the director’s vision, and I approach each project with a deep sense of responsibility and respect.

Looking back, it’s not necessarily the biggest or most known works I’m most proud of. Projects like my latest film, “Simón”, have been labors of love—testaments to our collective belief in storytelling that resonates with audiences on a profound level. Through “Simón” we’ve sought to shed light on the struggles of Venezuela, amplifying the voices of those unjustly persecuted and forced into exile. Its impact transcends accolades, serving as a reminder of the resilience and fortitude of a nation grappling with loss and upheaval.

I think my journey as an artist has been one of exploration, growth, and unwavering passion. Each experience has profoundly shaped me, instilling in me a deep appreciation for the power of music to connect, inspire, and transform.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
“I think my top 3 places in Los Angeles that I would like to show would be:

1. A concert at the Hollywood Bowl, hopefully one of the film music concerts they do in the summer, like the John Williams tribute. And of course, bringing a picnic.

2. Then, Griffith Observatory at sunset so they can appreciate both day and night, and of course, the beautiful colors of LA’s sunset.

3. A drive along the coast. I’d love to show them the beach cities like Redondo and Manhattan Beach (hopefully during a beach volleyball tournament!) and have lunch at the Fish Market in Malibu.

Depending on when and who is coming, I’d love to show them a full scoring session, a movie at the Hollywood Cemetery, a walk through the Huntington Gardens, and an exploration of downtown, hopefully including a concert at Disney Hall with Gustavo Dudamel conducting and a trip to the museums.

I would also send them on a food tour so they can try Los Angeles’ fusion of Latin and Asian cuisines. There are so many great tacos around!

Oh, and they can’t miss a day at the Getty Museum. And if they really insist (not a fan), they can go and check the Hollywood stars, but I would couple that with a Wednesday jam concert on Lucky Strike, so they can see some of the best session musicians play (after getting disappointed in doing the Star Walk!).

I’d recommend the Universal Studios and WB tours if they are movie fans.

With that said, the truth is, with LA traffic, a week might not even be enough to explore all of this…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, I’d love to give credit to my first music teacher, Ricardo Isella.

While I was enjoying playing rock with high school bands, he was teaching me music composition in a more formal, yet contemporary and enjoyable manner. Instead of imposing music upon you, he encouraged the discovery of individual preferences and guided a deeper understanding of those musical tastes. He introduced me to new music styles in a playful manner and always fostered curiosity for any genre of music. But the main thing is that he saw potential in me as a composer and made sure to let me know. He was the first one to suggest that perhaps I should consider expanding my music studies further and pursuing a music career.

Website: https://www.freddysheinfeld.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fsheinfeld/?

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddy-sheinfeld-51b15b5/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/freddysheinfeld

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freddysheinfeld/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsrwsstb9Mf8rhznQr-zwA?view_as=subscriber

Other: IMDB: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsrwsstb9Mf8rhznQr-zwA?view_as=subscriber

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7gWXZhxHMBzwaBWqGVLDkL?si=NUDwVUzcRaSGg4WImZKolw

Image Credits
Daniel Sheinfeld