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Wondering what the semester in LA is like? Take it from Rick Urban, a recent graduate of the Music Composition for the Screen MFA program here at Columbia College Chicago. He finished his internship and has some valuable advice!

Rick interned with composer Kim Planert (Castle, Lie to Me, The Gates) and is currently interning with Reinhold Heil (Awake, Without a Trace, Land of the Dead).

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What were your specific responsibilities as an intern?

Some of my responsibilities were: music editing tracks for the composer’s website, taking inventory of studio gear, putting together new gear, selling old gear, maintaining current gear, categorizing tracks for website, and normal intern stuff like coffee-making and shopping. Interns are sort of a catch all for things.

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What were the top things you learned while working with him?

I learned a lot about Pro Tools. I also learned that, in TV, you have to write quickly. It’s amazing to watch them make fixes instantly under a deadline.  I also learned to buy tracking on a package if you sell something on eBay.

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How much interaction did you get with the composers?

I got a good amount of interaction with both.

What do you wish you would have known before going to LA?

Well, one of the composers was shocked when I didn’t know how to solder a broken cable. Also, I wished I would have gotten really comfortable with Pro Tools, as I did a lot of editing in it. Most importantly, know how to make coffee! I only had to do it once…..but I had no idea what to do.

What have you been up to since finishing the internship and graduating?