Meet Qianshu Guo | Film Composer

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

Hi Qianshu, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a young age, I had a natural talent for music, with a strong sense of pitch and rhythm. But at the same time, I was also doing well academically, so when it came to applying for college, I initially planned to pursue a science-related degree. However, after much thought, I was worried that if I didn’t follow this passion, I might regret it later in life. So, I convinced my family to let me try my hand at music production, and that’s the path I chose to explore.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My current focus is on creating orchestral and electronic fusion scores. When I first entered university, my knowledge of orchestral music was quite limited. To overcome this, I set a daily goal for myself: to spend at least one hour studying anything related to orchestral music. This consistent practice gradually improved my composition skills and deepened my understanding of the genre.

In addition to this, I have a strong passion for jazz harmony. I believe jazz harmony plays a crucial role in scoring, and I’ve dedicated time every day to practicing and studying it. This regular practice has allowed me to develop my own understanding of harmony, which I apply to my compositions. Even though my music isn’t strictly in the jazz style, I find that the theories of jazz harmony can be effectively used in scoring.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. It required a lot of dedication, persistence, and a willingness to push myself beyond my comfort zone. But these challenges also taught me valuable lessons—like the importance of daily practice, continuous learning, and being open to different influences in music.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that my music is a fusion of various influences and experiences. It’s a journey of constant growth, exploration, and a deep love for the art of music. My goal is to create scores that resonate with people, blending the richness of orchestral music with the innovation of electronic sounds and the depth of interesting harmony.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were taking my best friend on a week-long trip, I’d definitely choose California. This is the most developed film industry hub in the world, and I hope to make my mark in Hollywood someday. The scenery is beautiful, and the weather is fantastic. We’d explore the vibrant film industry in Los Angeles, visit iconic spots like Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Griffith Observatory, and enjoy the city’s incredible dining and nightlife. I’d love to share my passion for this place with my friend, discuss our dreams, and soak up the California sunshine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In my journey toward chasing my dream of making music, there are so many people I owe my gratitude to. If I had to single out one person, it would be my professor, Kennedy. He played a pivotal role during my time at university. Sometimes, I felt like he pushed himself too hard. His feedback on our assignments was always incredibly detailed, and he was always there for us after class, offering invaluable advice whenever we needed it.

Website: https://maxzavierguo.com