Cliff Eidelman

College Friend

“There was never a question that music was my life. And it all unfolded for me at SMC. It’s a place where big ideas take shape.”

Writing a little ditty that sells potato chips is one thing. The skills used to create an audio world that accompanies exploding galaxies, time warps and alien life forms are literally in another universe altogether. “Scoring a film is very symphonic,” says Cliff Eidelman whose musical gifts created the score for Star Trek VI. But Cliff’s voyage through the musical galaxy really began with one small step: a simple exchange between teacher and student.

“I was lugging these huge books filled with my scores all around campus. And one day, Don Richardson stopped me and asked me what was in them.” This led to a SMC-commissioned performance of an Eidelman ballet and overture with orchestra. “And the tape of these two pieces, that I could only have accomplished because of backing and funds from SMC, allowed me to go find film work,” says Cliff. “They were the seeds of my film career.”

Fourteen film scores later, Cliff is among the acknowledged masters of unifying visuals and music. “But my first break came again from SMC,” he says. “A director heard an interview Don and I did on KCRW and called me in passing.” Three months later, Cliff came home to find a note with the message: “Film score is a go!”

“SMC is a place that nurtures and supports whatever you want to do,” says Cliff. “If your teachers see your dedication and desire, your need to be innovative, they’ll back you all the way. All you need then is belief in yourself.”

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