Film/Movie Composer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I was asked to compose for a new type of 'silent' movie that is very popular in the UK. It's a slow motion (slow TV) film of 1:11 minutes that requires continual music. While it's a soundtrack, with cues and underscore, it also become full songs for 2 - 3 minute scenes that need to provide musical interest throughout. I wrote over 20 songs for the film along with all the soundtrack underscore.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I've just finished a long soundtrack, to be released. I'm working on personal projects and collaborations. I'm also diving into the Video Game and TV markets.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I don't know anyone at this time.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They both are great and analog is where all music and sound came from - from the first recordings in the 30's to Digital in the 90's.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will work as hard as I need to - regardless of the situation, contract or money to provide you with what you want and love for the film/movie, project.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music and composing music is what I love more then anything. It is who I am and what I'm about. I've been involved in music since I can remember.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Can I do something, write something, provide something... Yes, I can absolutely do it!

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I push to succeed without emotion.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do they want/need? How can I help? Let me know everything you can about what your looking for musically.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: I'm easy to work with, good at communicating and love to find a way to please and provide the music you want.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Guitar, Keyboard, Recording DAW, Grand Piano, Drums.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: Technology and music. All my life in some respect - in serious earnest - 20 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dramatic, Romantic with and Edgy / Unconventional style.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Hans Zimmer. He has a deep understanding of why things work - in life, film, music and working within the process to produce a score.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take your time, don't obsess and release your music.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Symphonic, Electronic and acoustic piano that tends to be sound track in feeling and mood - though can be found in New Age, Electronic, Contemporary Classical styles.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Improvising new musical ideas.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'm a self-taught drummer, guitar player and pianist. I grew up in a very musical house-hold and am influenced by many styles of music, which I embrace. My music and scores are very unique and fundamentally always sound like and can be identified as me. I think I bring these things along with a strong creative drive to provide fresh new and interesting music. At the same time, as a film composer, my primary goal is to write for the film and what the director wants and sees is needed for the film. I often write many ideas and provide them as options for the team to consider. At the end of the day, I will write whatever is needed to make the director as happy as possible for what music fits the project.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Work with the director to get all the initial thoughts about the film. Get the clips/scenes and/or movie to watch. Discuss spotting for the music. Start to score and send over initial samples to full mock-ups as I compose through-out the film. Obtain feedback and make adjustments to the score that suites the directors needs. Continue to compose and the music for the film until approval by the director and producer. Start on mixing and mastering the score to completion.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a full acoustic and electronic recording studio designed to write and produce film music. This includes a large library of sounds, along with outboard synthesizers, electronic and acoustic drums and guitars. Complete recording software - Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic along with mixing consoles along with a full mastering suite.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Danny Elfman, Brad Fidel, Bill Conti, Hanz Zimmer, Moby, Philip Glass.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I compose soundtracks for various projects - Film, features, movies, shorts, corporate, music videos, etc. This includes Themes, underscore, Cues, Trailers and Sound Design.