Meet Tomas Videla | Composer for Film and TV

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

Hi Tomas, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
One of the most important lessons I learnt in my career as a composer is you never stop learning. You never stop learning from all the different work experiences you have and you never stop learning from the people around you and the people you collaborate with. And that for me is extremely important. You have to be always open to learn new things and to challenge your own beliefs. This has helped me grow up a lot as a musician, and it’s something I’m constantly thinking about.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was always intrigued by film music ever since I was a kid. When I started pursuing music I knew I wanted to become a film composer. And for that I needed some serious musical training. I studied music composition in Argentina, where I got a solid knowledge of classical music, composition, orchestration, harmony and counterpoint, as well as classical, jazz and tango piano. After graduating I moved to Chicago where I did my masters in film music. After graduating I moved to Los Angeles, where I currently reside, where I’ve been working full time as a composer, orchestrator and conductor for film and television. One of my very first gigs as a composer was writing music for Dreamwork’s/Netflix’s show Rhyme Time Town. That show taught me a lot about writing music, as well as the tech side of it. I was writing cues, while revising other ones, while at the same time delivering an entire episode to the stage to be mixed. It was wild. And the music wasn’t easy either! But this experience really prepared me for Mattel/Netflix show He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Writing music alongside Michael Kramer for that show really kicked my butt. And Mike always pushed me to better my musicianship. It was wild. But it was definitely one of the best experiences I had wiring music. I learnt A LOT.

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?
Honestly, I would look for cool concerts at the Walt Disney Hall and Hollywood Bowl and take them there! Watching and hearing the LA Phil play is always an amazing experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a number of people I’m forever grateful for their mentorship and I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for them. First is Kubilay Uner, director of the Masters in Music Composition for the Screen at Columbia College Chicago. He has taught me a lot and really formed me as a professional composer. I’m also thankful for having composers Jesi Nelson, H. Scott Salinas and Michael Kramer by my side. I look up to them and they are constantly pushing me to better my musicianship. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for these amazing people.

Website: www.tomasvidela.com