Ever dream of learning directly from an emmy award winning composer?
Hollywood Mentorships provides an immersive, hands-on mentorship experience designed to elevate your skills and unlock your full creative potential.
By completing this live, small-group online program, you'll gain the professional tools and insights needed to launch a successful career in media composing.
Meet your instructor: Jim Dooley
The composer of some of your favorite films, TV series, and video games!
Attention All Composers!
Do you have a solid foundation but unsure how to take your music to the next level?
Frustrated with online videos that leave you with questions and no way to ask them?
Do you have the talent but lack the insider tips to make it in the competitive world of scoring?
Need direct feedback on your compositions but can't find a mentor?
Do you want to learn the tricks behind creating emotional, memorable scores?
Have you hit a creative block and need guidance to push through?
Be directly mentored by Jim Dooley and elevate your craft!
With a class cap of just 20 students, you’re guaranteed personalized attention and focused guidance throughout the course.
Apply Today! Classes begin in 2026
This unique opportunity is now only $4950 $1995
Get on track to become the COMPOSER you always intended to be. There's incredible value packed into this course, and we're confident it will transform your skills. In fact, we GUARANTEE it—if you're not satisfied, you'll get a full refund, no questions asked!
Here is Everything That's You Get When You Are Enrolled!
12 live, interactive lectures ranging from 60 to 90 minutes each, packed with actionable insights and real-world strategies!
Personalized feedback on your compositions from industry professionals.
Access to a private community of fellow composers for networking and collaboration.
Breakdowns of popular software tools, ensuring you’re proficient with industry-standard platforms like Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Cubase.
In-depth case studies of iconic scores, dissecting how they were created.
Exclusive guest lectures from award-winning composers, top music editors, orchestrators, and agents—revealing their insider career secrets to help you thrive in the industry!
Behind-the-scenes breakdowns of professional projects, showing how to bring music to life in TV, film, and games.
One-on-one mentoring sessions to address your unique career goals.
Interactive Q&A sessions to get your burning questions answered in real time.
Comprehensive music business guidance, helping you navigate contracts, negotiations, and royalties.
Hands-on MIDI mockup training to create professional-grade demos.
A final project review where you'll receive detailed, personalized feedback to ensure you're industry-ready.
BONUS #1 - A custom celeste recorded for Epic Mickey from Jim Dooley's private sound library!
BONUS #2 - A custom string instrument recorded for When A Stranger Calls from Jim Dooley's private sound library!
Submit Your Application Today!
This course isn’t for everyone—it’s designed for serious, dedicated students ready to elevate their skills to the next level!
Here are the steps.
1. Fill out your application to be mentored
2. Set a time for a live video interview with Jim to review your application
3. Upon acceptance, courses begin in 2026!
About Your Instructor
Hi, I’m Jim Dooley, an Emmy Award-winning composer with over two decades of experience scoring Hollywood films and TV shows. I hold a composition degree from NYU and a master’s from USC, where my journey into the world of cinematic music began.
Starting out as Hans Zimmer’s assistant on Gladiator, I had the privilege of working alongside him on iconic films like Pearl Harbor and Hannibal. I then expanded my own portfolio, composing additional music for major productions such as The Da Vinci Code, Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Hawk Down, The Simpsons Movie, Madagascar, King Arthur, and many others.
As a solo composer, my work includes films like When a Stranger Calls, Obsessed, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, and Daddy Day Camp. In television, I’ve scored over 200 episodes across series like Walker, Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Wilfred, The Last Ship, and my Emmy-winning music for Pushing Daisies.
With every project, I’ve gained invaluable insights, and now I’m excited to share that experience with aspiring composers around the world.
Jim Dooley
Mentorship with Jim Dooley : Learn from a top working Hollywood composer.
By the end of this intensive course, you'll have mastered new techniques that will elevate your scores to a professional level, ready for the demands of the industry.
Here is a brief overview of the course flow:
1
Introduction & how to create a powerful template
I'm going to teach you how to create a powerful template in film composing that will streamline your workflow, enhance your creativity, and ensure consistency throughout your projects. A well-built template saves time by having essential instruments, effects, and routing already pre-configured, allowing you to focus on composing without getting bogged down by technical details. You'll learn how to organize your template to maintain a cohesive sound, switch easily between genres, and make quick revisions, which is key in film scoring. I’ll show you how a strong template supports collaboration with other musicians and orchestrators, while also reinforcing your personal style through custom instruments and plugins. Ultimately, this approach will boost your productivity and creative flow, making it easier to deliver polished, professional scores even on tight deadlines.
2 - 3
Functional Melodies
I'm going to teach you the importance of crafting melodies that tell a story because they are essential in guiding the audience emotionally through a film. A strong melody does more than sound beautiful—it communicates a character's emotions, sets the tone for pivotal moments, and heightens the impact of a scene. You'll learn how to create motifs that become the musical identity of a character or theme, providing continuity and deepening the audience's connection to the narrative. By developing these story-driven melodies, your music will go beyond supporting the film—it will become an active storyteller, making the emotional journey more immersive and memorable.
4
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial by John Williams
I'm going to guide you through score to E.T. and show you why it's a masterclass in storytelling through music. John Williams' iconic score is not just a collection of beautiful melodies; it's a deeply emotional narrative that elevates the film’s heartwarming and adventurous spirit. We’ll break down how Williams uses themes, orchestration, and timing to underscore the bond between Elliott and E.T., and how the music evolves with their relationship. You’ll learn how the score conveys wonder, excitement, and tenderness, teaching you to create music that emotionally connects with the audience and enhances the story. Through this study, you'll gain valuable insights into crafting melodies and orchestration that drive a narrative forward.
5
Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events
I'm going to explain how I composed the score for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events TV show, diving into the process of creating music that captures the dark, whimsical, and eccentric tone of the series. You'll learn how I approached building thematic material for each of the Baudelaire children and their harrowing adventures, while balancing the quirky and mysterious elements of the story. I'll walk you through how I used unique instrumentation and musical motifs to mirror the narrative's twists and turns, from suspenseful moments to lighthearted ones. This score was all about finding the right balance between humor and darkness, and I'll share how I achieved that through my compositional choices.
6
Epic Mickey 1 & 2 - Score Creation
I'll guide students through the creative process behind composing the music and songs for Epic Mickey 1 & 2. I'll break down how I approached character themes, the emotional arcs of the game, and how the score was designed to enhance both gameplay and storytelling. We'll dive into the technical aspects, such as orchestration, digital tools, and the collaborative process with the game developers to ensure the music seamlessly blended with the visual world of Mickey. By the end, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to craft music that resonates with interactive storytelling.
7
When A Stranger Calls
I'll focus on how I used custom orchestral samples to heighten the tension and evoke fear. I’ll explain the importance of sound design in horror, demonstrating how I carefully crafted and manipulated orchestral textures to create an unsettling atmosphere. We’ll discuss the role of pacing and silence in building suspense, and how certain instruments or distorted sound layers can make scenes feel more terrifying. Through this, students will learn how custom samples can enhance the emotional storytelling, drawing the audience deeper into the fear and uncertainty of the film’s world.
8
Sequencing & Mockups
In my teaching sessions on film composing sequencing and mockups, I’ll walk students through the process of creating polished musical presentations for clients. We’ll explore how to use sequencing software to build fully-realized mockups that reflect the final score as accurately as possible. I’ll cover the techniques for achieving realistic orchestral sounds using sample libraries, layering, and automation, so that mockups convey the intended emotional impact. Additionally, we’ll discuss how to interpret client feedback and make adjustments to ensure their vision aligns with the music. By the end, students will have the tools to confidently create compelling mockups that win over clients and directors.
9
Delivering Your Music
In teaching how to deliver your music for a score, I’ll guide students through the entire process of preparing and finalizing music for delivery to the production team. This includes organizing stems, ensuring correct file formats, and labeling everything clearly for seamless integration into the project. I’ll also emphasize the importance of collaboration with a music editor, detailing how to communicate effectively with them to maintain the musical intent while accommodating technical adjustments. Students will learn how to prepare alternate versions of cues, anticipate possible changes, and navigate the delicate balance between creative vision and practical needs during post-production. This ensures the score is not only creatively strong but also technically ready for the final edit.
10
Setting Up and Paying Off a Melody
When teaching students how to set up and pay off a melody to serve the narrative of a film, TV series, or video game, I’ll focus on how to weave thematic material throughout a story. I’ll demonstrate how to introduce a melody subtly at first, often hinting at its full development later on. As the narrative progresses, the melody can evolve, becoming more prominent or undergoing changes to reflect character growth, emotional shifts, or major plot points. We’ll discuss how to strategically reintroduce or transform the melody at key moments for maximum emotional impact. By doing this, students will learn how to use melodic development to deepen the audience’s connection to the story, ensuring the music enhances both the emotional and narrative arcs.
11
Networking & Getting Gigs
I’ll emphasize how building genuine relationships within the industry is key to long-term success. I’ll encourage students to attend industry events, join professional organizations, and collaborate with peers on smaller projects to expand their network. We’ll also discuss looking outside the box by exploring opportunities beyond traditional film and TV, such as composing for video games, commercials, web series, podcasts, and even theme parks. By thinking creatively about where music is needed and who the key decision-makers are, students can diversify their opportunities and increase their chances of landing jobs in various areas of media.
12
The Business of Being a Composer
In teaching the business side of being a composer, I’ll focus on the importance of understanding multiple income streams to create a sustainable career. We’ll cover various ways composers earn revenue, including upfront fees for projects, royalties from performance rights organizations (PROs), residuals from replays, and licensing fees for existing music. I’ll also highlight the potential of alternative income sources, such as teaching, creating sample libraries, and producing music for libraries or stock music platforms. By understanding how to diversify their income streams, students can build a more financially stable career, ensuring they can continue to focus on their creative work while supporting their lifestyle.
Practical Education
This choir prep course will provide a depth of knowledge and tools to ensure your rehearsals run effectively, free from disruptions. You will be provided with unique, downloadable and editable tools that you can't get anywhere else!
Anytime, anywhere
Take this online course for choir teachers from your desktop, laptop, or phone! Re-watch over and over again.
Continued Mentorship
After taking the online choir prep course, any questions will be answered within 24 hours by the instructor. Questions can also be posed in the Choral Clarity Facebook Forum with 3000+ members!
Download material
You willing receiving lots of downloadable and editable products. Many of the resources included are sold on the Choral Clarity website, but some are unique to this course!
TESTIMONIAL
What other students are saying...
KEVIN G.
"I'm so excited that he's able to bring his vast levels of experience and truly intuitive understanding of music to the rest of the world"
"Jim is not only one of the kindest and most generous people that I've ever met but also the most brilliant composer and gifted teacher that I've ever been lucky enough to know."
The Hollywood Mentorships Guarantee...
If you aren't 100% satisfied, you will be refunded in full for your purchase. Our program is backed by a thriving community of fellow storytellers in our exclusive Facebook Group, where students connect, collaborate, and learn from one another every step of the way.
Do you have questions? We have answers!
Before enrolling, we want you to be confident this course is right for you!
How long is the course?
The course meets twice a week for six weeks, with small group sessions and personalized one-on-one time for feedback and guidance on your work.
What level of experience is required to take this course?
This course is designed for intermediate students who already have a solid foundation in scoring techniques and principles.
What if I miss a class—how will I catch up?
No worries! All lectures will be recorded and made available for you to catch up at your convenience.
