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​William Austin Smith
Musician: Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Performer, Studio Engineer
Filmmaker & Media Producer: Videographer, Editor, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Fountain and Light Show Designer

OBJECTIVE
  

To combine my skills as a composer and a documentary filmmaker to produce compelling scores, soundtracks, and multimedia content—merging music and visual storytelling to create powerful, immersive experiences for film, television, and live performance.

 

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SUMMARY
  

Accomplished composer, arranger, and filmmaker with a Master’s degree in Film Music Composition from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and a degree in Business Management from Valdosta State University. Combines artistic vision with business acumen to produce immersive audiovisual experiences that not only captivate audiences but also align with clients’ goals. Experienced in project management and recognized for expertise in recording, engineering, conducting, producing, and editing. Skilled writer and communicator who helps clients articulate their messages clearly and concisely, then elevates them through the emotional power of music and compelling visual storytelling.

 

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EDUCATION
  

University of North Carolina School of the Arts — Winston-Salem, NC (2010-2012)
Master of Fine Arts, Film Music Composition


Valdosta State University — Valdosta, GA (2005-2008)
Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Management

Minor in Music


University of Georgia — Athens, GA (2003–2005)
Coursework in Music Education and History


University of North Texas — Denton, TX (2001–2002)
Coursework in Trombone Performance and Music Composition;

Performed in the 3 O'Clock and 4 O'Clock Jazz Bands

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MUSIC COMPOSITION / ARRANGING EXPERIENCE
   

  • Big Band & Gypsy Jazz Album — Paris, France (2013)
    Arranged and recorded Bohemian Dream Cabaret, collaborating with singer-songwriter Julie Rose Wilde and Ron Meza’s Parisian High Definition Big Band. Featured world-renowned artists Bireli Lagrene, Didier Lockwood, and Jeff Hamilton. Recorded at the historic Davout Studios. Inspired a live cabaret performance at La Petit Journal in Montparnasse.
     

  • Johnny Mercer Lounge Project — Savannah, GA (2013)
    Commissioned by the Kessler Collection hotels to produce an album of contemporary electronic jazz-lounge arrangements based on Johnny Mercer classics.
     

  • Camel City Jazz Orchestra & Savannah Jazz Orchestra — (2012)
    Commissioned to compose original works and arrangements, including pieces for the Savannah Jazz Festival.
     

  • Savannah Philharmonic
    Arrangements: “Proud Mary” (2020) and “Josephine Swing” (2016)

 

  • The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra
    Arranged several works, including “I Only Have Eyes For You”, which appeared on the Equinox Orchestra’s 2016 PBS Special.
     

  • Film & Media Scoring
    Composed original scores for films, commercials, and corporate videos featured at:

    • WorldFest Houston International Film Festival

    • Beaufort International Film Festival

    • Comic Con Wizard World Film Fest Philadelphia

    • Dragon Con Independent Film Festival

    • Doobious Film Slam, Atlanta

    • Emerging Filmmakers Forum, Beverly Hills
       

  • Additional Projects
    Composed and arranged for the Savannah Arts Academy Jazz Band and Eric Culberson, and several marching ensembles.

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VIDEO & VISUAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE

   

  • Plant Riverside District Documentary — Savannah, GA (2016–2024)
    Produced a feature-length documentary documenting the transformation of Savannah’s Plant Riverside District, and a series of educational videos for the District’s Natural History Museum and Grestch Musical Instrument Museum.

 

  • Savannah Convention Center — Savannah, GA (2017–2024)
    Produced a series of videos, including a fundraising piece that helped secure building expansion funds; followed by a number of construction progress pieces to communicate with clients, government officials and the community.
     

  • Fountain & Light Show Design — Savannah, GA (2019–2023)
    Designed and produced fountain and light shows for Savannah’s Plant Riverside District, including choreography, lighting, original music, and contemporary electronic arrangements of classics by Bach and Tchaikovsky.
     

  • Music Videos
    Filmed and edited music videos for singer-songwriters Ella Rogers and Sarah Palmer

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  • Television Editing
    Edited videos for television at WSAV, an NBC affiliate station in Savannah, GA.
     

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PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
   

  • Snare Drummer, University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band

  • Trombonist with:

    • The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra

    • The Storks

    • The Sapphire Bullets

    • The Ron Meza Big Band

    • Jazz ensembles at UNCSA, Valdosta State University, and University of North Texas

  • Bass Guitarist in various jazz and rock bands

 

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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

   

  • Arranged for marching bands

  • Transcribed for Music Minus One, NYC (2012–2013)

  • Conducted several jazz bands, and as drum major for the Valdosta High School Marching Band

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SPECIAL SKILLS
   

FILMMAKING: Script Writing, Directing, Producing, Project Management
MUSIC EDITING: Experienced in Music Supervision, Transcriptions and Score-Prep
CONDUCTING: Orchestral, Symphonic, Jazz, Chamber Ensembles, Marching Bands

ACTING & VOICEOVER: Experienced in Voice Narration, Stage & Film Acting
INSTRUMENTS: Trombone, Trumpet, Bass guitar, Drums, Fife, Vocals
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: Communications, Accounting, Project Management

 

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SOFTWARE
  

MUSIC: ProTools, Logic Pro, Sibelius, Finale, Kontakt

VIDEO & MEDIA: Adobe Premiere, After Effects, InDesign, Final Cut, Song Vegas

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