The BMI Foundation has announced the reinstatement of the annual Pete Carpenter Fellowship, a competitive residency for aspiring film, television and video game composers. The newly enhanced program will award a $3,000 stipend for four to five weeks of intensive mentorship with award-winning BMI composers Christopher Lennertz and Timothy Wynn at their Sonic Fuel Studios in Los Angeles, CA. The 2016 fellowship begins in October and also includes opportunities to consult with other distinguished composers and leaders in the entertainment industry.
“For over 20 years, the Pete Carpenter Fellowship served as one of the foremost catalysts for the creative and professional development of exceptional young composers for visual media,” BMI Foundation President Deirdre Chadwick remarked. “We are delighted to resume its mission with the support of Chris and Tim, who are two of the most sought-after young composers in Hollywood. The benefit of their industry experience and expertise will be invaluable to our PCF fellows.”
The Pete Carpenter Fellowship was established in 1989 by BMIF Advisory Panelist and iconic composer Mike Post, in memory of the late Pete Carpenter, who was Post’s co-composer of television themes and scores including The A-Team, Magnum P.I., The Rockford Files (which won a Grammy), Hardcastle and McCormick, Hunter and Riptide. Also the winner of an Emmy and 50 BMI Film & TV Awards, Post is best known for his TV theme songs for series including Law & Order, Law & Order SVU and NYPD Blue. Over the years, the Pete Carpenter Fellowship has nurtured thriving television and film scoring careers, including those of Emmy-winning composers Chris Beck (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Frozen) and Roger Neill (Chicago Hope, King of the Hill, Mozart in the Jungle), as well as Christopher Tyng (Futurama, The O.C., Suits) and Atli Örvarsson (The Perfect Guy, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago PD).
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Örvarsson said of his experience, “The Pete Carpenter Fellowship changed my life! I can more or less trace my entire career in Hollywood to the opportunities and relationships that I have had as a result of coming out to L.A. to do this program. Additionally, what I learned there in terms of the craft and how things actually work in the business was just priceless education, which no school can provide. I really can't say enough good things about this program, the team at BMI, Mike Post and everyone else who supported me along the way, and I strongly advise young composers interested in music for TV and film to give it a go!”
The Fellowship is open to U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 35 who are pursuing a career in film, TV and/or gaming composition. BMI Director of Film and TV Relations and BMIF Board Member, Anne Cecere, serves as Director of the competition. For the first time this year, applications may be completed entirely online. Candidates must submit a one- to three-minute original composition that is either scored specifically to a film scene provided in the application or otherwise appropriate as the theme of an imaginary film, television, or gaming program. Applications must be submitted no later than June 30.
For complete rules and details, visit bmifoundation.org/carpenter.
