Meet Itay Amram: Composer for Media

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

Hi Itay, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Throughout my first year in LA, I was fortunate to compose and assist on projects for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV and more. Most of these opportunities were born out of random encounters in bars and parks. None of them was predictable but all of them were possible only by countless thoughtful risks I took, such as investing time and money, seeming like a fool with limited English, and relocating far from my home in Israel. I believe that risk-taking is a crucial tool for expanding our comfort zone and growing. We love hanging in this cozy zone, over a solid ground of certainty and control. But as we build grand careers or deep relationships we find that to grow beyond its border, we must get out of it. We must take risks, face failures and learn from them. It must feel uncomfortable, otherwise, we’re probably still inside it. With courage, knowledge, and persistence, the outer zone becomes more familiar and comfortable, then we settle in, draw a new border and expand our comfort zone. Some risks brought me unimaginable experiences and new close friends, others brought exhausting frustrations and cringe moments. Eventually, they all provided energy for the next adventure beyond the borders.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like hybrid aesthetics and would frequently combine some orchestral, electronic, and world music elements that conjunctly match the tone and the essential feelings of the project. For tailoring the sound more precisely, I create custom instruments by manipulating organic sounds that have natural expressiveness like rocks, boiling water, or broken flutes. The realm of sound, music, and all that’s in between can be endlessly explored, but I feel that doing so with a team in a multimedia project creates a more complex, engaging, and immersive communication of truth. It’s not easy and I’m constantly facing challenges, primarily dealing with the continual uncertainty of the business. Embracing it as a key for growth, has prompted me to be resourceful and repeatedly plan, try, learn, replan, and enjoy the fruits. Currently, I’ve been working on a diverse mixture of them, from film to VR, and each one is an exciting opportunity to explore, create and communicate.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
After chilling at the beach while enjoying the ridiculously perfect weather, I would take my friend to explore the randomness of the city. Simply wander around Hollywood, Santa Monica and Downtown, check random bars, connect with random people and let surprising experiences come. 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?
I’m grateful for so many dear people that helped me along the way. My beloved family and friends, the composers Atli Örvarsson and Ohad Stemati who brought me on their teams, and many more inspiring composers, collaborators, and teachers. I’d like to mention the UCLA Extension Film Scoring Program that kicked off my professional and personal journey abroad. I discovered it after coming across a similar interview and asking the interviewee for advice, so if someone needs one, feel free to reach out!

Website: https://www.itayamram.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itay-amram-058224194

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmramItay

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

Image Credits
Barrett Ross