Lecturer of Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television

Instruments/Expertise: Film Scoring, Film Music Agent

(213) 821-4192 phone
(213) 740-3217 fax
ost1@aol.com
MUS 305

Personal site: http://www.findingkraftland.com/

Biography

Richard Kraft is the founder of Kraft-Engel Management, one of the world's leading agencies specializing in representation for film and theatre composers. Together with his partner, Laura Engel, they represent such clients as John Barry, Jon Brion, Alexandre Desplat, Danny Elfman, Philip Glass, Maurice Jarre, Alan Menken, John Ottman, Rachel Portman, Trevor Rabin, Graeme Revell and Marc Shaiman. His clients have composed the music for some of Hollywood biggest hits including:  Spider-Man, Shrek, Notes on a Scandal, Pan's Labyrinth, The Bourne Supremacy, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Pocahontas, Superman Returns, The Usual Suspects, Clueless, and Talladega Nights.

Prior to starting his own company in 1991, Richard was an agent at ICM and started his career working with several of his musical heroes such as Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein and Henry Mancini. Kraft has also has executive produced over 150 soundtrack albums, including Aliens, Blue Velvet, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Wall Street, Crocodile Dundee, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. He has also conceived and set up projects at Disney, Sony and MGM.  His clients have written the songs for such Broadway hits as Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line, and Beauty and the Beast.

Mr. Kraft offers his services to the Scoring for Music Pictures and Television Program by providing weekly sessions over an eight week period where students work one-on-one with a film music agent.  Students meet at his Sherman Oaks, California agency in the San Fernando Valley.

“It takes more than talent to make it show business.  [Composers must] discover the joys of negotiating their first deals and learn what to/not to do when you finally get the chance to sell yourself,” says Kraft.