Meet Joseph S. Djafar | Composer for Film, TV, and Video Games

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph S. Djafar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have a big passion in art, especially in music for films because I find that music is substantialy important to impact human emotion. Music can be a great medium to deliver a transformative message. I also believe that music and films cannot be separated because they both play crucial roles in changing the world through the perspectives of their audience. This reason solidify my pursuit as a composer for films, tv and video games. In addition, as an Indonesian living in Los Angeles, I feel responsible to bring my own voice. With that said, I want to add more diversity to the world of art itself while growing my career and carving my path as an international composer.

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.
My music is about telling stories. It enhances viewers’ emotion beyond the picture, creating a bridge to connect implicit feelings to the viewers. I am a strong believer that music in films is a living entity that embraces the true nature of stories.

What set my music apart from others besides my culture as an Indonesian is how I can see both electronic and orchestral music as inseparable fusion. I utilize sound design as strong means to create colours while creating beautiful themes and melodies for people to remember.

As a self-taught composer prior my graduate study at USC Thornton screen scoring program, I am proud of learning and gaining experience from a lot of people in film industry. I know some of them are also self-taught but they can be successful in the field. It ignites my spirit. Now I have earned my master degree and living in Los Angeles, I am excited to meet more amazing people who share the same passion and have the same end-goal.

My journey before I studied at USC Thornton Screen Scoring program is very tough. Financially, I had to support all the means for self-development alone. I started learning classical piano and work my way in film industry from rock bottom in a local production house. But I asked lots of questions and learned everything through experience. Once I have enough resources, I took online certification from Berklee College of Music to learn proper musical knowledge in screen scoring and electronic music production. Then, I applied myself to USC Thornton Screen Scoring program where I grow even more as a composer. The only thing that I always tell myself is to never give up and believe in what I love. I believe that hardwork will never betray the result. That is not easy, but I survive until I reached a point where I am one of the known composers in Indonesia.

I learn that humans’ emotions are similar like music. They both want to create meaningful connections. So, building a good conection to people, being kind and authentic should be in our nature. On top of that, we all need to learn about loving and believing in ourself. It is as important as enjoying the journey itself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have not get much time myself to explore Los Angeles much due to intense learning at USC Thornton screen scoring program 🙂

However, since I love food, the most fun and interesting thing to do is embracing a culinary journey. I find nice sushi spots in Little Tokyo with great quality and price. They offer fresh sashimis in generous cuts. Several restaurants in Downtown LA are also great to socialize with friends before or after watching movies at Regal theatre. There is also a very tasty tsukemen restaurant in Sawtelle Boulevard near Culver city.

I also think that a visit to Disneyland and Universal Studio will be fun trips. They have exciting rides. I would go down to the beach in Santa Monica to unwind.

A visit to Warner Studio and Hollywood sign is also a must while enjoying trips in Los Angeles. I am sure there are lots of more exciting places in Los Angeles one can explore.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family who are always being supportive.

Faculty members at USC Thornton Screen Scoring program, especially Patrick Kirst, Lawrence Shragge, Garry Schyman, Pete Anthony, and Lolita Ritmanis.

Film producers and directors while I am in Indonesia.

My friends and colleague at MNC group, Indonesia.

All of my life mentors and good friends whose names I cannot mention one by one.

Website: https://josephdjafar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephsdjafar/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6RDR5QZ_3Ud1O6ZWyItW3Q

Other: IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3992770/

Image Credits
Christian Amonson, IG @christianseessound or web seeingsound.com NDC Worship Indonesia, IG @ndc_worship