What is the best thing that I love about my work? I like to think that I participated in shaping the current musical culture, that my creations will leave something of myself behind of my presence on earth. I hope that through my compositions I convey emotions. I can get people out of their daily worries for a few minutes: I like being able to entertain others by doing what I love, by expressing myself through my art, my music. I also like the human side of my work: meeting people who share my passion, living true experiences, moments of music with them.
What is my idea of perfect happiness? My perfect happiness would be to be able to live only from my orchestral arrangements (for movies, video games or audiobooks) and from my voice (as in singing). One day I would also like to learn how to conduct a symphony orchestra, in order to be an accomplished musician. I would like to travel all over the world, to give concerts, to perform and to meet many people. Simply live from my love of music’s films and symphonic concerts, while continuing to grow personally.
What is my greatest fear? I have always been very afraid of my future (professional and personal). I’m apprehensive I won’t be able to make a living from my art, that I won’t have time to accomplish everything I want to accomplish in my life.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I’m so serious. I crave to be successful professionally and sometimes I forget to have fun or see my family and friends whereas I cherish spending time with my loved ones. I’m also too anxious, far too stressed!
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? I have several composers I admire, such as Danny Elfman, Howard Shore or Hans Zimmer, but I have my two favorite composers, whom I admire very much : John Williams, who revolutionized the world of film music and who is a true genius of music arrangement, and Joe Hisaishi, my idol, who lulled my childhood with his fairytale and well-written music. I had the opportunity to meet him twice, singing in the choir of his symphonic concerts in
France and it was the most beautiful experiences of my life.
What is my greatest extravagance? I like dying my hair with colors (mostly pink).
On what occasion would I lie? I absolutely hate lying, but if I really had to lie, it would be to save a person I love from suffering needlessly.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I don’t like the administrative side, the papers, the quotes, always having to look for new customers and constantly prove myself to potential prospects. I wish I could only work on my music, because right now I’m spending more time looking for contracts than I’m writing, unfortunately.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? For the moment, my best memories are between 2017 and today, on stage or during tours, when I was a backup singer for cine-concert such as Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End, Frozen, or when I was a backup singer for big symphonic concerts : Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert – Music from the Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyasaki’s films, and Danny Elfman’s music from Tim Burton’s films.
If I could, what would I change about myself? I would like to stop thinking all the time about the possible harmful consequences of life, and focus mainly on the positive, living one day at a time (which would remove my fears and shyness).
What is my greatest achievement in work? As a composer, I am in the beginning of my career, so I don’t have many achievements yet, but I am still proud of my last musical composition for my school, accompanying the trailer of the game Ori 2.
As a backup singer, all the cine-concert projects in their entirety are for me victories in my life.
Where would I most like to live? I love my country, France. In fact, I have difficulties learning new languages… but otherwise I would like to live in the United States (for my career), in Japan (for video games or mangas), in New Zealand (for landscapes) or in Spain (for warmth and sea).
What is my most treasured possession? My tickets access to the concerts where I sang: they contain all my best memories.
What is my most marked characteristic? I am often told that I’m a fighter, that I am strong (it’s wrong). I know how to endure the trials of life. I’m also a genuine person, who always says what she thinks. I have got my own way of sharing my love, I am there for others, but I also have a strong personality, a shell that protects me from others and from grief!
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The forest next to my home.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? I live in a small town, there are not many nice places to eat and drink. When I want to go out, I go to Paris, it’s not too far from home.
What books influenced my life and how? First of all, Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire, which was my grandfather’s favorite book (who was a poet too). Poems are very beautiful, melancholic for some, but very nicely written. The ugly becomes beautiful with Baudelaire. I also learnt the notion of synesthesia, this way of mixing senses to feel better (mixing colors and sounds for example). Sometimes it helps me with my compositions. Next, I really liked Bernard Werber’s book, La Boîte de Pandore. As someone who has always been afraid of death and who had to deal with the death of a loved one last year, it has helped me overcome this ordeal and accept the unacceptable.
Who are my favorite writers? Bernard Werber and Stephen King.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? It’s a very difficult question because I listen to everything. I love symphonic music, rock, metal, 80’s music, musicals, Disney etc… but I would still say Mozart’s Requiem, which has always been part of my life, I have sung it a lot and it has accompanied me in very important moments of my existence.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Perhaps San, in Princesse Mononoké (a Ghibli movie). She’s not afraid of anything, she’s very brave and strong. She fights human insanity, preserves the environment as hard as she can and her heart overflows with love for animals. She thinks humans and animals are equal, that there’s not one race better than the other, and she’s quite right!
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? All the women who fight every day to assert our rights and who show that we can just as well succeed professionally as men!
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Lord of the Rings
What role plays art in my life and work? Music is all my life! I started singing in a choir when I was 6 years old, then I went back to conservatory, then I followed a master in musicology, and I went in a composition school. Music is what I listen to make me feel better, to have fun, to cry… It’s my passion and it’s a true joy to be able to make of this passion my profession, despite the occasional disagreements with my entourage. Succeeding in living from your passion is the greatest achievement there is.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My cat! Or my family (my mother) or my best friends, who are afraid for my future, but who always support me in my projects…
Whom would I like to work with in 2020? With a member of Ghibli or Marvel Studios (one can dream)! Otherwise, with filmmakers who will trust in me and in my music… I would love to be able to make the music of a first feature film in the coming years, or the music of a video game.
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2020? I always like to think big, so I’ll say John Williams, Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer, Nobuo Uematsu or Vladimir Cosma. I would also like to have the opportunity to see Joe Hisaishi and Danny Elfman again, so that I can talk with them about our job and their careers, because I didn’t get a chance to talk to them at the concerts.
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on? This year, I started my company with a friend, around the audio book (for children and adults). We want it to be fun. We’ll record the voices of the actors together, I will compose music throughout the books, and my friend will take care of sound design. It’s going to be a very rewarding experience and it’s a big project that I care greatly about!
Where can you see me or my work in 2020?
You can visit:
– My website https://marion-boulay.wixsite.com/marionboulaycomposer
– My Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/marionboulaycomposer/
– My YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyUGpRyK-iQBWFd7BU63hvQ?view_as=subscriber
– My LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-boulay-6a6281a7/
You will also have the opportunity to meet me in collaboration with Berry’s Pictures
https://berrys.pictures/ or with the Free Spirit, a charitable and environmental association
https://www.freespiritcrew.com/
You can also meet me at the Book Fair in Paris in March 2020, for the editions Le Grimoire and the promotion of the book Revenir de l’Avenir, which I composed a music for.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I completely agree, these words speak to me deeply. When you are passionate about something, you have to do it thoroughly, put all your heart and energy into it. It’s our passions that fuel our life and make it more beautiful.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Diana Buscemi, Amandine Robillard, Anna Cordonnier, Camille Motto, Lucie Geslot and Margaux Joie.
How can you contact me?
On my business email address: marionboulaycomposer@outlook.fr
On my Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/marionboulaycomposer/
On my LinkedIn page : https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-boulay-6a6281a7/
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Are you a creative leader or creative professional looking to develop your business skills and storytelling?
Amidst today’s uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reconnect with yourself and others, develop your creative business, and build your story. Dive deep into your unique business style and areas for growth with the coaching of Peter de Kuster.
IS THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY COACHING FOR YOU?
You are a creative leader or creative professional who is interested in developing yourself, your business, and your story.
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You are aware that there are no quick fixes. Learning is a journey that works when you are fully committed to it. Coaching can bring awareness and help you navigate, but in the end it’s you who is in charge of your growth.
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You want to learn more about how to resource yourself, learn about blind spots, and get feedback.
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You are curious and want to engage in online learning.
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You are motivated to work in-between sessions on yourself (e.g. working on homework assignments that will help you develop new storytelling, skills, and behaviors).
WHAT’S YOUR COACHING QUESTION?
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is all about your development. To make the most out of your sessions, we ask you to prepare topics to work on with Peter. These topics can serve as a starting point for further in-depth exploration with Peter.
These coaching topics typically resonate with the creative leaders Peter works with:
How can i tell the most powerful story possible about myself and my creative business?
How can I handle self promotion and marketing of my creative business better?
How do can I stay authentic and with focus when having difficult conversations with potential clients?
What are my creative values and how do I align these with my business values?
How can I manage my time and energy better?
How can I radiate confidence to my clients while feeling anxious inside?
How can I steer myself towards creative excellence without becoming rigid?
About Peter de Kuster
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
PRICING
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching online sessions last 50 minutes and the fee is Euro 189 excluding VAT per session. The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is suitable for people at any stage in their career.
FAQ
Who can sign up for The Heroine’s Journey online coaching?
Creative leaders and creative professionals who wish to improve their business story and develop their business skills and mindset.
Should I choose 1:1 coaching?
Our The Heroine’s Journey experiences in world cities allow you to learn not only from the coach but also from your peers. For the small group coaching (1 – 4 people), we have selected important, relevant topics that we find regularly come up for creative professional: purpose, storytelling, creative confidence, self promotion, time & money and resilience.
If you would prefer to work alone or on a different topic, individual coaching is a better fit for you.
What language do we speak in the coaching sessions?
English.
Can I buy coaching for my organization?
Yes, you can! We support many organizations around the world with their coaching needs. Please contact us for more information.
Can I bring my own topics?
Yes, for individual coaching you get to choose your own topic.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes. Peter will not share anything that is discussed in the coaching sessions.
Where will the coaching sessions take place?
Sessions will take place online (as per the times we live in) via an online tool like Zoom or Skype. Peter will let you know.
How do I sign up?
Send Peter a mail to theherojourneyquestionnaires@gmail.com to start booking your coaching sessions.
How do I pay?
After you send the mail, you will receive an email with a link to pay.
How do I book and reschedule sessions?
Once we’ve received your payment, Peter will contact you and book your coaching sessions. He will also support you with rescheduling sessions if needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Individual coaching sessions can be postponed up to one week before the session.
The Heroine's Journey 