Meet Oguz Can Ozcanli | Film & TV Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oguz Can Ozcanli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oguz Can, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think the most important factor behind my success is building real friendships and trying to help people in their careers and personal life. Of course, being really good at what you do has a crucial role in achieving success. Relationships are gold in music business. You have to nourish it. If you somehow take a gig that’s awesome but the important part is to build that relationship with your client. When a director hires you for her/his next movie that means he trusts you not only as a composer but also as a human being. After the work is over it’s very important to nourish the relationship between you.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am originally from Izmir, Turkey. Currently working as a composer, arranger, pianist residing in Los Angeles. I was always surrounded with music from very young age because my mother was a classical trained pianist. I started taking piano lessons from age seven. I got interested in jazz music and switched to jazz piano lessons in high school. I decided to apply to Berklee College of Music and got accepted with a scholarship. During my first semester I built a passion in composing and arranging as well as music production, so I decided to major in Contemporary Writing and Production. After completing my studies, I got an offer from a Musical Theatre school in Los Angeles to work as their music director. I worked as a music director/pianist on shows like Grease, Chicago, Aristocats, Cinderella and many more. After working as a music director for 1 year, I started composing music for many TV shows appearing on Netflix, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, NBC, CBS, ABC, and many others. It’s never easy to succeed in music business. You have to have good communication skills besides being really good at your musical skills. When I moved to LA I started to work as a piano teacher at a music school. That was the easiest way to make a living. It takes time to develop a network of clients. As a composer you never know when the next gig will come. That’s why it’s always good to have a steady gig like teaching. For several years I divided my time between composing and teaching. Right now I focus more on composing. Covid really effected musicians. I actually opened an online music school when I felt it might be difficult to make a living as a composer only. I think it’s very important to be flexible to be able to pursue any kind of career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First place I would take him/her would be Downtown Santa Monica Promenade. I remember first time seeing it and was mesmerized. Second spot would be Manhattan Beach for sure. I love the vibe there. I’m also thinking of living in that area in the near future. Then follows Abbot Kinney and Venice Broadwalk. If it’s Christmas time definetly The Grove. For brunch or snacks my favorite spot is Back on the Beach Café near the beach Santa Monica. Universal Studios and Disney Land would be definitely on our schedule. We can have get night drinks will be at The Bungalow Santa Monica:)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and friends have been a great support without them I wouldn’t be able to get where I am now. My shoutout is to my alma mater, Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Berklee gave me the foundation as a composer/pianist to study and perfect my craft. I studied Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee. I would like to thank my teachers at Berklee such as Ray Santisi, Joe Carrier, Joe Smith, Sheldon Mirowitz, Jetro Da Silva and many more. I met some amazing people at Berklee. Professional bonds and friendships that I’ve been able to maintain to this day!

Website: https://oguzozcanli.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oguz-can-ozcanli-a20b555a/

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

Image Credits
Nitsa Cukurel